CBSE Class 9 English NCERT Solutions: The Solitary Reaper
This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Chapter 8, 'The Solitary Reaper,' from the CBSE Class 9 English Literature Reader. It covers extract-based questions, helping students understand the poem's imagery, themes, and poetic devices. The solutions break down complex stanzas, explain the poet's comparisons, and clarify the emotional impact of the solitary reaper's song. By offering clear explanations and answers to questions about the poem's meaning and Wordsworth's craft, these solutions are designed to aid students in their preparation and revision for English literature exams, ensuring a deeper comprehension of this classic poem.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 9 |
| Subject | English Literature Reader |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Chapter 8 |
Chapter summary
This chapter's NCERT Solutions focus on William Wordsworth's poem 'The Solitary Reaper.' The solutions provide answers to extract-based questions, guiding students to interpret the poem's evocative descriptions of the reaper and her song. Key aspects covered include the poet's admiration for the reaper's voice, his speculation about the song's theme, and the lasting impression the music leaves on him. The exercises help students analyze poetic devices and understand the poem's central theme of finding beauty and solace in nature and simple human experiences.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the central theme and imagery of 'The Solitary Reaper'.
- Analyze the poet's comparisons and use of literary devices.
- Interpret the emotional and lasting impact of the reaper's song on the poet.
- Answer extract-based questions effectively.
- Identify the meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases within the poem's context.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- The Solitary Reaper poem analysis
- Extract-based questions and answers
- William Wordsworth's poetry
- Imagery in poetry
- Themes of nature and solitude
- Poetic devices (alliteration, personification)
- Interpretation of song and music
- Emotional impact of art
Important topics
- Understanding the poem's central theme
- Analyzing the poet's comparisons
- Interpreting the effect of the song on the poet
- Answering extract-based questions
- Identifying poetic devices
PDF preview
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Questions and Solutions
Q. 1
- Why does a speaker ask to stop or gently pass?
- To whom does the poet say 'stop here or gently pass'!
- What does 'behold her' mean?
(a) The speaker requests passers-by to stop or pass gently to avoid disturbing the solitary reaper and her song, thereby preserving the serene atmosphere and the beauty of the moment.
(b) The poet addresses the travellers or anyone who might be passing by the field where the highland lass is working and singing.
(c) The phrase 'behold her' is an invitation to look at her, to observe her with attention and admiration.
Q. 2
- What do the 'plaintive numbers' refer to?
- Why does the poet use the word 'perhaps' here?
- Pick out a word similar in meaning to 'to move continuously'. (Board Term 12013, EWAJ2JM)
(a) The 'plaintive numbers' refer to the sad, sorrowful, and musical sounds of the highland girl's song.
(b) The poet uses the word 'perhaps' because he does not understand the language the girl is singing in. Therefore, he is guessing or speculating about the subject of her song, suggesting it might be about past sorrows.
(c) The word similar in meaning to 'to move continuously' is 'flow'.
Q. 3
- What music is the poet talking about in these lines?
- What effect does the music have on the poet?
- How is the poet able to hear this music even after the maiden has stopped singing? (Board Term 12012, Set 39)
(a) The poet is referring to the beautiful and captivating music of the solitary reaper's song.
(b) The music has a profound effect on the poet; it mesmerizes him, causing him to stop and listen intently. He carries the memory and the emotional resonance of the song with him.
(c) The poet is able to 'hear' the music even after the maiden stops singing because he has internalized it. The song has become a cherished memory, a melody that resonates within his heart and mind long after the actual sound has faded.
Q. 4
- Why does the poet compare the reaper's voice to the song of the cuckoo bird?
- Name the poet of the poem.
- Name the literary device used in the third line. (Board Term 12012, Set 41,47)
(a) The poet compares the reaper's voice to the song of the cuckoo bird to emphasize its exceptional sweetness and thrilling quality. He suggests that the reaper's voice is even more melodious and captivating than the cuckoo's familiar spring song.
(b) The poet of the poem 'The Solitary Reaper' is William Wordsworth.
(c) The third line, 'Breaking the silence of the seas', uses hyperbole, an exaggeration to emphasize the vastness of the silence the song penetrates, or potentially personification if 'seas' are considered to have silence that can be broken.
Q. 5
- Who is singing and where?
- What is the poet trying to guess?
- What does 'humble lay' stand for ? (BoardTerm 12012, Set 46)
(a) The solitary reaper, a young highland lass, is singing while working alone in a field.
(b) The poet is trying to guess the subject or theme of the song the reaper is singing. He wonders if it speaks of everyday troubles, sorrows, or losses that are common to human experience.
(c) 'Humble lay' refers to a simple, unpretentious song or ballad. It suggests a song that deals with common, everyday themes or the experiences of ordinary people, rather than grand or heroic subjects.
Q. 6
- Who is 'she' in the above lines?
- What kind of a song is she singing?
- What does the expression 'vale profound' mean? (Board Term L2013, Set 53)
(a) 'She' in these lines refers to the solitary reaper, the highland lass working alone in the field.
(b) She is singing a 'melancholy strain,' which means she is singing a sad, sorrowful, or mournful song.
(c) The expression 'vale profound' refers to a deep valley. The sound of her song is so pervasive that it seems to fill the entire deep valley.
Q. 7
- Who are the weary bands? What welcome notes do they hear?
- Why are the notes of the nightingale welcome?
- What are "Arabian Sands"? (Board Term 12012, Set 54)
(a) The 'weary bands' are travellers who are tired from their journey. They hear the welcome notes of the nightingale, which signifies rest and relief.
(b) The notes of the nightingale are welcome because they are perceived as sweet, melodious, and soothing. They offer a pleasant break and a sense of comfort to tired travellers in a desolate place.
(c) "Arabian Sands" refers to the deserts of Arabia. It is used here metaphorically to represent a harsh, desolate, and tiring environment where the sound of the nightingale would be particularly welcome.
Common mistakes
- Misinterpreting the meaning of 'plaintive numbers'.
- Failing to identify the literary devices used by the poet.
- Confusing the themes of the song with the poet's personal feelings.
- Not understanding the significance of the 'weary bands' and their context.
Revision tips
- Read the poem aloud to grasp its rhythm and mood.
- Focus on the poet's descriptions and comparisons to understand his admiration.
- Practice answering extract-based questions by referring to the poem's text.
- Summarize the main ideas of each stanza in your own words.
- Pay attention to the poet's reflections on the song's impact.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What does the speaker urge passers-by to do when they see the solitary reaper?
Explanation: The speaker asks people to 'Stop here or gently pass!' to avoid disturbing the reaper and her song.
Q2. The poet uses the word 'perhaps' when speculating about the song's theme because:
Explanation: The poet uses 'perhaps' because he cannot understand the words of the song, so he speculates about its subject matter.
Q3. What does the poet carry with him long after he has moved away from the scene?
Explanation: The poet states, 'And, as I mounted up the hill, / The music in my heart I bore, / Long after it was heard no more.'
Q4. The poet compares the reaper's voice to the song of which bird?
Explanation: The poet compares the reaper's voice to the song of the cuckoo bird, finding hers sweeter.
Q5. What does 'melancholy strain' refer to in the poem?
Explanation: 'Melancholy strain' refers to the sad and sorrowful nature of the song being sung by the solitary reaper.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the poem 'The Solitary Reaper'?
The main theme is the profound beauty and emotional impact found in nature and simple human experiences, as exemplified by the solitary reaper's song.
Who is the poet of 'The Solitary Reaper'?
The poet of 'The Solitary Reaper' is William Wordsworth.
Why does the poet ask people to 'stop here or gently pass'?
The poet asks people to stop or pass gently so as not to disturb the solitary reaper and her singing, preserving the moment of beauty.
How does the reaper's song affect the poet?
The song deeply affects the poet, captivating him and leaving a lasting impression on his heart and memory, even long after he can no longer hear it.
What literary devices are used in the poem?
The poem uses devices like simile (comparing the voice to a cuckoo bird), metaphor, and potentially personification and alliteration, as suggested in the questions.
Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy
NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.