Introduction of the poem:
The poem "The Sower" is from Dutt's A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields (1876), and is a translation of a Victor Hugo poem. It describes an encounter between the poem's speaker, who sits within a "porchway," and the titular "sower," whom the speaker watches as he carries out his task of planting seeds. As the sun sets and the hours for planting seeds come to a close, the speaker is fascinated by the sower's motion and his figure as he sets about his farming task. As the scene gets darker and darker, the silhouetted figure of the sower also becomes less and less distinct, and the speaker muses on the almost transcendent nature of his exercise. By the end of the poem, we are made to consider the mundane in a new and exciting light, as well as think about the contrast between the speaker, who sits more or less indoors, and the sower, whose job necessarily involves engagement with nature.
Analysis
The rhyme scheme of "The Sower" resembles the rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet, though it deviates from the sonnet form in that it has twenty lines. Still, it has the alternating rhyme scheme that is associated with Shakespearean sonnets— preserved from Hugo's original text—and its body is divided into five quatrains.
Starting from the remote viewpoint of the poem's speaker, who sits inside, each of these quatrains then takes us further, both into the action of the sower that the speaker observes and into the night. In the first stanza, the isolated speaker in the "porchway" is shocked by the sudden onset of "twilight," but as the sunlight fades and day turns to night, the speaker's mind is oddly preoccupied with work: "working hours have well-nigh past." From this introduction, the speaker then turns to a lone sower in the fields by the porch, whose "old" age and clothing of "rags" stands out against the speaker's relaxation in a "cool" porch. Still, despite the apparent contrast between the speaker's observant relaxation and the sower's strained activity, the speaker feels a thrill at the stillness of the sower in the fields. The mere act of observing is its own pleasure for our speaker.
In the following two stanzas, the sower then assumes a more powerful position with regard to the speaker: no longer does the sower merely stand still; he now "dominates the furrows" with his figure and "strides" with the scattering of grain. His routine actions take on an unusual liveliness and talent when perceived by our speaker, who does not perform similar work. As the poem closes and night takes over the poem's setting, the speaker deliberately exaggerates the sower's magnificent appearance, saying that his movements or "gestures" are majestic and that his figure seems to reach upward to the stars. In line with Hugo's original Romantic sentiment—one focused on the outpouring of deep emotions in response to everyday occurrences—the poem is thus an expression of the spontaneous grandeur our speaker perceives in the mundane action of the sower at his work, as well as a description of an encounter between the people of different walks of life.
Stanza-wise summary of the poem:
First Stanza:
“Sitting in a porchway……………………………working hours are well night past.”
The poet is sitting leisurely in a porchway enjoying the sunset and reddish sky. Poet describes the twilight sky. ‘The twilight hastens on to rule’ the line suggest the over power of the twilight sky over the day time because it is a time between the day and soon it will become the night sky. ‘Working hours are well night past’ this line suggest the time of work in the fields are over and the farmers and other workers can’t be seen anywhere. Soon it is going to be night and dark all around.
Second Stanza:
“Shadow shoots…………………………………………………….. I feel a thrill”
The twilight sky beautifies the place. An over shadows and dark images are spreading all around the nature. All of a sudden the attention of the poet is struck on a farmer who is standing alone in the fields. From this stanza onwards the major attention is taken over by the farmer who is standing alone in the fields. ‘Old in rags, he patient stands’ this line says about the old sower and his cloths, how tattered and muddy, but the poet is so much thrilled to see his calm and peaceful in the field.
Third Stanza:
“Black and high……………………………………………….a time to reap”
Since it is a twilight time everything appears to be blackish and reddish in colour. ‘Silhouette’ the term used by Victor Hugo in the poem which is a word of French origin, an illustrated outline filled with solid colour usually black. The black shadows of the sower is dominating the deep furrows in the fields. Since the sun is setting the silhouette gradually becomes bigger and bigger thus even the deep furrows seems to be small in front of the sower. Here the human aspects is shown powerful and dominating over the nature. In the next line of the poem Victor Hugo describes about the mindset of the sower in detail ‘now to sow……………..a time to reap’ the farmer is hoping for a good harvest that will have to do in future because today he will sow some seeds, later it will be watered, the seeds will grow and soon the grains will appear and all his wishes will be fulfilled. Just like hard work ultimately results in a fruitful joy the farmer also dreams about the time of the harvest.
Fourth Stanza:
“Marches he along the plain…………………………to see him stride”
The stanza deals with the movement of the farmer and about his actions in the field. The poet describes the farmer as marching rather than just saying walking this might be because of his strong determination and positive attitude towards a better future. The farmer was all alone in the field because he was the only person so fond of farming. Just like us when we face our problems in life individually with courage he also stands alone in the field. The farmer moves forward and backward scattering the precious grains which are both a symbol of prosperity and wealth of future. The grain is called ‘precious grains’ because each and every grain is important in the life of a farmer, he collects each one of them carefully so that he could have a harvest of better crops from his fields. The poet becomes dodgy and gloomy to see the sowers painful efforts.
Fifth Stanza:
“Darkness deepens………………………………………..touch the starry skies”
The last stanza concludes with the description of the night sky. The twilight sky gradually turns to night sky. The light are all out and everywhere the darkness appears. Now the sower is invisible to the poet even then the poet speaks about the gestures of the sower which will be continuing in the field because he may not go back to his house. Now the poet feels the majestic and awe-inspiring image of the sower. The gradual and progressive growth of the shadow of the sower now reached the top of the sky and the world appears to be the reflection of his shadow. The starry skies are nothing but the reflection of the seeds thrown out from the hand of the sower.
*The English word meanings of the difficult words:
*Stanza 1:*
1. Porchway: covered area leading to a house's entrance
2. Cool: shaded, comfortable
3. Sunlight: natural light from the sun
4. Dying fast: fading quickly
5. Twilight: time between day and night
6. Rule: dominate, take over
7. Well-nigh: almost, nearly
*Stanza 2:*
1. Shadows: dark areas cast by objects
2. Run: spread, move quickly
3. Lingers: stays, remains
4. Rags: worn, torn clothing
5. Patient: enduring, persistent
*Stanza 3:*
1. Silhouette: outline of a figure
2. Dominates: stands out, controls
3. Furrows: deep grooves in soil
4. Task: job, duty
5. Set: established, determined
*Stanza 4:*
1. Marches: walks steadily
2. Plain: flat area of land
3. Scatters: spreads widely
4. Precious: valuable, important
5. Muse: think deeply, ponder
*Stanza 5:*
1. Darkness: absence of light
2. Deepens: becomes more intense
3. Fades: becomes weaker
4. August: noble, impressive
5. Gestures: movements, actions
6. Height: stature, grandeur
*General Vocabulary:*
1. Sower: person planting seeds
2. Grain: seeds, crops
3. Harvest: gathering of crops
Difference between Shadow and silhouette.
"Shadow" and "silhouette" are related but distinct concepts:
*Shadow:*
1. Dark area where light is blocked by an object.
2. Can be fuzzy or defined, depending on light source and object shape.
3. Typically darker than surrounding areas.
4. Can change shape and size with light movement.
Example: "The tree cast a shadow on the ground."
*Silhouette:*
1. Outline or profile of an object against a brighter background.
2. Typically a dark shape with defined edges.
3. Emphasizes object's shape and form.
4. Often used in art, photography, and visual contexts.
Example: "The city skyline created a stunning silhouette at sunset."
Key differences:
1. Shadows are areas of darkness, while silhouettes are outlines.
2. Shadows can be fuzzy, while silhouettes are typically defined.
3. Shadows change with light movement, while silhouettes remain relatively stable.
In "The Sower" poem:
"Black and high, his silhouette
Dominates the furrows deep!"
The silhouette refers to the sower's dark outline against the fading light, emphasizing his stature and dominance over the landscape.
The Hindi meanings of the difficult words:
*Stanza 1*
1. Porchway - प्रवेश द्वार का आंगन (Pravesh dwar ka aangan)
2. Dying fast - तेजी से खत्म होता हुआ (Tezi se khatm hota hua)
3. Twilight - संध्या (Sandhya)
4. Rule - प्रभाव (Prabhav)
5. Well-nigh - लगभग (Lagbhag)
*Stanza 2*
1. Shadows - परछाइयाँ (Parchhaiyan)
2. Lingers - खड़ा रहता है (Khada rehta hai)
3. Rags - फटे कपड़े (Phate kapde)
4. Patient - धैर्यवान (Dhairyawaan)
*Stanza 3*
1. Silhouette - परछाइयों का आकार (Parchhaiyon ka aakar)
2. Dominates - प्रभुत्व रखता है (Prabhutva rakhta hai)
3. Furrows - खेत की मेड़ें (Khet ki meden)
4. Task - काम (Kaam)
5. Set - निर्धारित (Nirdharit)
*Stanza 4*
1. Marches - चलता है (Chalta hai)
2. Plain - मैदान (Maidan)
3. Scatters - बिखेरता है (Bikherta hai)
4. Precious - कीमती (Kimati)
5. Muse - सोचता है (Sochta hai)
*Stanza 5*
1. Darkness - अंधकार (Andhkaar)
2. Deepens - गहराता है (Gahraata hai)
3. Fades - कम होता है (Kam hota hai)
4. August - विशाल (Vishaal)
5. Gestures - इशारे (Ishare)
6. Height - ऊंचाई (Unchai)
*General Vocabulary*
1. Sower - बीज बोने वाला (Beej bone wala)
2. Grain - अनाज (Anaaj)
3. Harvest - फसल कटाई (Fasal kataai)
Personification:
1. Sunlight, I see
dying Fast.
Expl: A human quality of dying is given to the sunlight.
2.
Twilight
hastens on to the rule.
Expl: Ahuman quality of hastening is given to Twilight.
3.Working hours have well-nigh past.
Expl: A human quality of passing is given to the working hours.
4. Shadows run across
the lands.
Expl: A human quality of running is given to the
shadows.
5. Black and high, his silhouette, dominate the furrows
deep!
Expl: A human quality of dominating something is
given to the silhouette.
Inversion:
1. Sitting in a
porchway cool
Expl: The word order of
this line is incorrect. The correct prose order is:
2. Sunlight, I see
dying fast.
Expl: The word order of
this line is incorrect. The correct prose order is:
I see sunlight dying fast.
3.
But a sower lingers still.
Expl: The word order of
this line is incorrect. The correct prose order is:
But
a sower still lingers.
4. Now to sow the
task is set.
Expl: The word order of this line is incorrect.
The correct prose order is:
Now the task is set to sow.
5. Marches he along the plain.
Expl: The word order of this line is incorrect.
The correct prose order is:
He marches along the plain.
6. Dominates the furrows
deep!
Expl: The word order of
this line is incorrect. The correct prose order is:
Dominates the deep furrows!
7. Old,
in rags, he patient stands
Expl: The word order of
this line is incorrect. The correct prose order is:
Old
(and) patient, he stands in rags.
8.
Soon shall come a time to reap.
Expl: The word order of
this line is incorrect. The correct prose order is:
A
time shall come soon to reap.
9.
From his hands the precious grain
Expl: The word order of
this line is incorrect. The correct prose order is:
The
precious grain from his hands
10.
Muse I, as I see him stride.
Expl: The word order of
this line is incorrect. The correct prose order is:
As
I see him stride, I muse.
11. Now his gestures to mine eyes are august.
Expl: The word order of
this line is incorrect. The correct prose order is:
Now
his gestures are august to mine eyes.
Alliteration:
1. Sunlight, I see, dying fast.
Expl: The sound of ‘s’
is sweetly repeated in the beginning of words.
2.
But a sower lingers still
Expl: The sound of ‘s’
is sweetly repeated in the beginning of words.
3. Black and high, his silhouette
Expl: The sound of ‘h’ is sweetly repeated in the beginning of words.
4.
Dominates
the furrows deep!
Expl: The sound of ‘d’ is sweetly repeated in the beginning of words.
5. Soon shall come
a time to reap.
Expl: The sound of ‘s’ is sweetly repeated in the beginning of words.
6. From his hand the
precious grain.
Expl: The sound of ‘h’ is sweetly repeated in the beginning of words.
7. Darkness deepens.
Expl: The sound of ‘d’ is sweetly repeated in the beginning of words.
8. Are august; and
strange, - his height
Expl: The sound of ‘h’ is sweetly repeated in the beginning of words.
9. Seem to touch the
starry skies.
Expl: The sound of ‘s’
is sweetly repeated in the beginning of words.
Hyperbole:
1.His height seems to touch the starry skies.
Expl: An overstatement has been used in this
sentence.
Antithesis:
1. Darkness deepens, fades the light.
Expl: Darkness and light convey opposite ideas.
2.
To and fro, and scatters wide
To
and fro convey
opposite ideas.
The imageries used throughout the poem.
Visual Imageries
1. "Porchway"
- creates an image of a rustic, rural setting.
2. "Twilight"
- evokes a sense of fading light and transition.
3. "Black and
high, his silhouette" - creates a striking image of the sower.
4. "Starry
skies" – invokes a vast, celestial landscape.
5. "Furrows deep" - vividly depicts the ploughed soil.
Auditory Imageries
1. "Marches"
- suggests the sound of steady footsteps.
2. "Scatters" - implies the rustling of seeds.
Kinesthetic Imageries
1. "Strides"
- conveys the sower's purposeful movement.
2. "Paces" - suggests a steady, deliberate gait.
Emotional Imageries
1. "Patient"
- evokes feelings of dedication and perseverance
2. "Precious
grain" - conveys importance and value
3. "Admiration" - creates a sense of respect and awe
Natural Imageries
1. "Sunset" -
symbolizes transition and renewal.
2. "Dusk" -
represents the passing of time.
3. "Earth" -
connects to fertility and growth.
4. "Seeds" - represents potential and new life.
Symbolic Imageries
1. "Sower" -
represents hard work, dedication, and selflessness.
2. "Seeds" -
symbolize hope, promise, and new life.
3. "Starry
skies" - represent infinite possibilities.
Ans.
1. c. hard work of a farmer
2. b. dusk
3. a. sowing the seeds
4. a. very important for the sower
5. c. pace up and down
Ans.
The poet is in the porch of his house watching the evening scene before him. The sun has set and daylight is fast fading. The working hours are almost over, but in the dimness of dusk, he sees the silhouette of an old, poor sower still among his fields. His figure, dark against the evening skies, towers over the ploughed soil, ready for the task of sowing seeds, with the hope that soon it would be time for harvesting/reaping. The poet has a feeling of admiration for the farmer as he paces up and down sowing/scattering the seeds. As it becomes darker, the poet watches the impressive figure of the farmer that seems to touch the starry sky, and he respects him for his noble actions.
1. The poet follows a narrative style of writing because the poem:
- Describes the setting and atmosphere.
- Conveys emotions and themes through imagery.
- Uses a chronological structure (dusk, working hours ending, darkness falling).
- Poor
- Patient
- Persistent
- Noble
- Impressive
- Dedicated
- Perseverance under challenging conditions
- Importance of providing for others (through farming)
- Selflessness and commitment to one's task
- Hope and optimism for the future (symbolized by sowing seeds)
- Respect for nature and the natural world
1. Contrast: Highlighting the sower's persistence despite fading light.
2. Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the sower's stature and gestures.
3. Symbolism: Associating the sower with noble, selfless work.
4. Emphasis on dedication: Showcasing the sower's commitment to his task.
1. Sower: Represents hard work, dedication, and selflessness.
2. Seeds: Symbolize hope, promise, and new life.
3. Dusk: Signifies transition, perseverance, and toughness.
4. Starry skies: Represent infinite possibilities and connection to the divine.
1. Depiction of rural life and farming struggles.
2. Emphasis on hard work and dedication.
3. Observation of nature's beauty (dusk, stars).
4. Universally relatable themes: hope, perseverance, and selflessness.
1. Appreciation for the unsung heroes (farmers, laborers).
2. Importance of hard work, dedication, and selflessness.
3. Hope and optimism for the future.
4. Connection between human endeavor and the natural world.
N.B. : The above materials, along with the author's own, have been collected from different sources available on Google and Meta AI.
Image Courtesy : Google
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