CBSE Class 9 English The Solitary Reaper NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English, focusing on Chapter P.3, 'The Solitary Reaper' by William Wordsworth. The solutions cover extract-based questions, helping students understand the poem's narrative, the speaker's encounter with the solitary reaper, and the profound impact of her song. Key themes explored include the beauty of nature, the power of music, solitude, and memory. The solutions break down complex stanzas, explain poetic devices, and clarify the poet's reflections on the reaper's song and its potential meanings. This guide is designed to aid students in comprehending the poem's nuances and preparing effectively for their examinations by offering clear explanations and insights into the text.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 9
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter P.3 The Solitary Reaper

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 9 English, Chapter P.3 'The Solitary Reaper', offers in-depth analysis of the poem. It focuses on understanding the imagery of the solitary reaper, the nature of her song, and its effect on the speaker and the landscape. The solutions address questions related to poetic devices, the poet's interpretation of the song's themes, and the lasting impression of the music on the listener's memory, aiding students in grasping the poem's essence.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the central theme and imagery of 'The Solitary Reaper'.
  • Analyze the poet's comparison of the reaper's song to natural sounds.
  • Explain the emotional and psychological impact of the song on the speaker.
  • Identify and interpret poetic devices used in the poem.
  • Appreciate the theme of memory and the enduring power of music.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • The Solitary Reaper poem analysis
  • William Wordsworth poetry
  • Imagery in poetry
  • Themes of nature and solitude
  • The power of music and memory
  • Poetic devices in 'The Solitary Reaper'
  • Extract-based questions and answers
  • Understanding poetic language

Important topics

  • The central theme of the solitary reaper's song
  • The effect of the song on the poet's memory
  • Poet's comparisons of the song to natural sounds
  • Interpretation of the song's potential themes
  • Literary devices used by Wordsworth

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Questions and Solutions

Q.1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions/complete the sentences that follow:

'Behold her, single in the field,

Yon solitary highland lass!

Reaping and singing by herself;

Stop here or gently pass!'

Solution:

  1. The speaker asks to stop or gently pass so that the solitary reaper is not disturbed in her work and continues to sing her song without interruption.
  2. The poet addresses the passers-by, urging them to either halt their journey briefly or proceed quietly without causing a disturbance.
  3. The phrase 'behold her' is an invitation to look at or observe the solitary highland lass, appreciating her presence and her activity in the field.

Q.2. "Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow. For old, unhappy, far off things."

(a) What do the 'plaintive numbers' refer to?

(b) Why does the poet use the word 'perhaps' here?

(c) Pick out a word similar in meaning to 'to move continuously'.

Solution:

  1. The 'plaintive numbers' refer to the sad, sorrowful, or melancholic melodies of the highland girl's song.
  2. 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 possible themes of her song.
  3. The word similar in meaning to 'to move continuously' is 'flow'.

Q.3. "I listened motionless and still And, as I mounted up the hill, The music in my heart I bore, Long after it was heard no more."

(a) What music is the poet talking about in these lines?

(b) What effect does the music have on the poet?

(c) How is the poet able to hear this music even after the maiden has stopped singing?

Solution:

  1. The poet is referring to the beautiful and captivating song sung by the solitary reaper in the field.
  2. The music has a profound and mesmerizing effect on the poet. He stops to listen, completely captivated, and carries the memory of the song with him, which deeply affects his emotions.
  3. The poet is able to 'hear' the music even after the maiden has stopped singing because he has internalized it. He carries the memory and the emotional resonance of the song within his heart, allowing him to recall and experience it mentally long after the actual sound has faded.

Q.4. 'A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard In spring time from the cuckoo bird; Breaking the silence of the seas ...... Among the farthest Hebrides'

(a) Why does the poet compare the reaper's voice to the song of the cuckoo bird?

(b) Name the poet of the poem.

(c) Name the literary device used in the third line.

Solution:

  1. The poet compares the reaper's voice to the song of the cuckoo bird because he considers her voice to be exceptionally sweet, thrilling, and melodious, possibly even more so than the cuckoo's song, which is traditionally associated with pleasant spring sounds.
  2. The poet of the poem is William Wordsworth.
  3. The literary device used in the third line ('Breaking the silence of the seas') is personification, as silence is given the human-like quality of being broken. Alliteration is also present in 'seas'.

Q.5. "Or is it some more humble lay, Familiar matter of today? Some natural sorrow loss or pain, That has been and may be again?"

(a) Who is singing and where?

(b) What is the poet trying to guess?

(c) What does 'humble lay' stand for?

Solution:

  1. The solitary reaper, a highland lass, is singing while working alone in a field.
  2. The poet is trying to guess the subject or theme of the song the reaper is singing. He wonders if it speaks of everyday human experiences like sorrow, loss, or pain.
  3. 'Humble lay' refers to a simple, common, or unpretentious song. It suggests that the song might be about ordinary people or everyday occurrences, rather than grand or heroic tales.

Q.6. "Alone she cuts and binds the grain; And sings a melancholy strain; Listen for the vale profound v; Is overflowing with the sound."

(a) Who is 'she' in the above lines?

(b) What kind of a song is she singing?

(c) What does the expression 'vale profound' mean?

Solution:

  1. 'She' in the above lines refers to the solitary reaper, the highland girl who is cutting and binding grain.
  2. She is singing a 'melancholy strain', which means she is singing a sad, sorrowful, or mournful song.
  3. The expression 'vale profound' means a deep valley. It suggests that the sound of her song is so powerful and pervasive that it fills the entire deep valley.

Q.7. "No nightingales did ever chant,; More welcome notes to weary bands, Of travellers in some shady haunt, Among Arabian Sands."

(a) Who are the weary bands? What welcome notes do they hear?

(b) Why are the notes of the nightingale welcome?

(c) What are "Arabian Sands"?

Solution:

  1. The 'weary bands' are travelers who are tired from their journey. They hear the welcome notes of the nightingale's song.
  2. The notes of the nightingale are welcome because they are sweet, melodious, and soothing, providing a pleasant break and relief from the weariness and harshness of their surroundings or journey.
  3. "Arabian Sands" refers to the deserts of Arabia. In the context of the poem, it symbolizes a harsh, desolate, and tiring environment where any pleasant sound, like the nightingale's song, would be particularly welcome.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting the meaning of 'plaintive numbers'.
  • Confusing the poet's guesses about the song's theme with factual statements.
  • Failing to recognize the significance of the song's lasting effect on the poet's memory.

Revision tips

  • Read the poem aloud to feel the rhythm and flow.
  • Focus on the poet's descriptions of the reaper and her song.
  • Understand the comparisons made between the reaper's voice and other natural sounds.
  • Reflect on the meaning of the song staying with the poet long after it ends.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the primary subject of the poem 'The Solitary Reaper'?

Q2. Why does the poet ask passers-by to 'stop here or gently pass'?

Q3. What does the poet mean by 'plaintive numbers'?

Q4. The poet uses the word 'perhaps' when considering the song's theme because:

Q5. What effect does the reaper's song have on the poet?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Solitary Reaper'?

The main theme is the profound and lasting impact of a simple, melancholic song sung by a solitary reaper on the poet, highlighting the beauty found in nature and the power of music to evoke deep emotions and memories.

Why does the poet compare the reaper's song to a cuckoo bird?

The poet compares the reaper's voice to the cuckoo bird's song to suggest that her voice is exceptionally sweet and melodious, even more so than the welcome notes of the cuckoo in springtime.

What does the poet mean by 'plaintive numbers'?

'Plaintive numbers' refers to the sad or sorrowful melodies of the song sung by the solitary reaper.

How does the poet retain the memory of the song?

The poet carries the music in his heart, cherishing it as a memory long after the song has ceased to be heard, demonstrating the enduring power of the experience.

Who is the poet of 'The Solitary Reaper'?

The poet of 'The Solitary Reaper' is William Wordsworth.

What is the significance of the 'vale profound' in the poem?

The 'vale profound' refers to a deep valley, emphasizing how the sound of the reaper's song fills the entire, vast, and deep natural space around her.

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