THE SOLITARY REAPER
Glossary: A list of difficult words and their
meanings / କଠିନ ଶବ୍ଦ ଓ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଅର୍ଥର ତାଲିକା
Stanza 1: Behold (ବିହୋଲ୍ଡ) : See; look at : ଦେଖିବା; ଦେଖ Yon (ୟନ୍) : That; that one over there : ସେହି;
ସେଠାରେ ଥିବା Solitary (ସଲିଟେରି) : Alone; without companions : ଏକୁଟିଆ;
ନିଃସଙ୍ଗ Highland (ହାଇଲ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ) : A mountainous region : ପାହାଡ଼ିଆ
ଅଞ୍ଚଳ Lass (ଲାସ୍) : A young girl : ଯୁବତୀ; ଝିଅ Reaping (ରିପିଙ୍ଗ୍) : Cutting and gathering crops : ଫସଲ କାଟିବା
ଓ
ସଂଗ୍ରହ କରିବା Grain (ଗ୍ରେଇନ୍) : Seeds of cereal crops; crops : ଶସ୍ୟ;
ଧାନ୍ୟ Melancholy (ମେଲନକଲି) : Deep sadness : ଗଭୀର ଦୁଃଖ; ବିଷାଦ Strain (ଷ୍ଟ୍ରେଇନ୍) : A tune or melody : ସୁର; ଗୀତର
ଧୁନ Vale (ଭେଇଲ୍) : A valley : ଉପତ୍ୟକା Profound (ପ୍ରଫାଉଣ୍ଡ୍) : Very deep : ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଗଭୀର Overflowing (ଓଭରଫ୍ଲୋଇଙ୍ଗ୍) : Flowing over; filled beyond the limit : ଉଛୁଳି
ପଡ଼ୁଥିବା; ପରିପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ
Stanza 2: Nightingale (ନାଇଟିଙ୍ଗେଲ୍) : A bird famous for its beautiful song : ମଧୁର
ସ୍ୱରରେ ଗାଉଥିବା ଏକ ପକ୍ଷୀ Chaunt (ଚାଣ୍ଟ୍) : To sing; chant : ଗାନ କରିବା; ଗାଇବା Welcome (ୱେଲକମ୍) : Pleasant; gladly received : ଆନନ୍ଦଦାୟକ;
ସ୍ୱାଗତଯୋଗ୍ୟ Notes (ନୋଟ୍ସ୍) : Musical sounds : ସଙ୍ଗୀତର ସ୍ୱର Weary (ୱିଅରି) : Very tired : ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ କ୍ଲାନ୍ତ Bands (ବ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ୍ଜ୍) : Groups of people : ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ
ଦଳ
Travellers (ଟ୍ରାଭେଲର୍ଜ୍) : People who travel : ଯାତ୍ରୀମାନେ
Shady (ଶେଡି) : Providing shade : ଛାୟାଯୁକ୍ତ
Haunt (ହଣ୍ଟ୍) : A place frequently visited : ବାରମ୍ବାର
ଯାଉଥିବା ସ୍ଥାନ Arabian (ଅରେବିଆନ୍) : Relating to Arabia : ଆରବ ଦେଶସମ୍ବନ୍ଧୀୟ
Sands (ସ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ୍ଜ୍) : Areas covered with sand : ବାଲୁକାମୟ
ଅଞ୍ଚଳ
Stanza 3: Thrilling (ଥ୍ରିଲିଙ୍ଗ୍) : Very exciting; deeply moving : ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ
ଉତ୍ତେଜକ; ମନକୁ ଗଭୀର ଭାବେ ସ୍ପର୍ଶ କରୁଥିବା Ne’er (ନେଅର୍) : Never : କେବେ ନୁହେଁ Spring-time (ସ୍ପ୍ରିଙ୍ଗଟାଇମ୍) : The season of spring : ବସନ୍ତ
ଋତୁ Cuckoo-bird (କୁକୁ ବର୍ଡ୍) : A bird known for its melodious call : ମଧୁର
ସ୍ୱରରେ ଡାକୁଥିବା ପକ୍ଷୀ; କୋଇଲି Breaking (ବ୍ରେଇକିଙ୍ଗ୍) : Interrupting; ending : ଭଙ୍ଗ
କରିବା; ଶେଷ କରିବା Silence (ସାଇଲେନ୍ସ୍) : Complete absence of sound : ନିରବତା
Seas (ସିଜ୍) : Large areas of salt water : ସମୁଦ୍ରଗୁଡ଼ିକ
Farthest (ଫାର୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ୍) : Most distant : ସବୁଠାରୁ ଦୂର Hebrides (ହେବ୍ରିଡିଜ୍) : A group of islands near Scotland : ସ୍କଟଲ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ
ନିକଟସ୍ଥ ଏକ ଦ୍ୱୀପପୁଞ୍ଜ
Stanza 4: Perhaps (ପରହ୍ୟାପ୍ସ୍) : Maybe; possibly : ବୋଧହୁଏ;
ସମ୍ଭବତଃ Plaintive (ପ୍ଲେଇଣ୍ଟିଭ୍) : Expressing sadness : ଦୁଃଖଭରା;
ବିଷାଦମୟ Numbers (ନମ୍ବର୍ଜ୍) : Verses or lines of a song : ଗୀତର
ପଦ
ବା
ଧାଡ଼ି Flow (ଫ୍ଲୋ) : Move continuously : ନିରନ୍ତର
ପ୍ରବାହିତ ହେବା Far-off (ଫାର୍ ଅଫ୍) : Very distant : ବହୁତ ଦୂରର; ଦୂର ଅତୀତର Battles (ବ୍ୟାଟଲ୍ଜ୍) : Fights; wars : ଯୁଦ୍ଧଗୁଡ଼ିକ Humble (ହମ୍ବଲ୍) : Simple; ordinary : ସାଧାରଣ;
ସରଳ Lay (ଲେଇ) : A song or poem : ଗୀତ ବା କବିତା Familiar (ଫମିଲିଅର୍) : Well known : ପରିଚିତ Matter (ମ୍ୟାଟର୍) : Subject; concern : ବିଷୟ;
ପ୍ରସଙ୍ଗ Sorrow (ସରୋଉ) : Deep sadness : ଗଭୀର ଦୁଃଖ; ଶୋକ Loss (ଲସ୍) : The state of losing someone or something : ହରାଇବା;
କ୍ଷତି Pain (ପେଇନ୍) : Suffering; distress : ଯନ୍ତ୍ରଣା;
କଷ୍ଟ Whate’er (ୱଟେଭର୍) : Whatever : ଯାହା କିଛି
Stanza 5: Theme (ଥିମ୍) : Subject; main idea : ବିଷୟ;
ମୁଖ୍ୟ ଭାବ Maiden (ମେଇଡନ୍) : A young unmarried woman or girl : ଯୁବତୀ;
କୁମାରୀ Ending (ଏଣ୍ଡିଙ୍ଗ୍) : Conclusion; stopping point : ଶେଷ; ସମାପ୍ତି
Sickle (ସିକଲ୍) : A curved tool used for cutting crops : ଫସଲ କାଟିବା
ପାଇଁ ବ୍ୟବହୃତ ବଙ୍କା କଟା ଯନ୍ତ୍ର Bending (ବେଣ୍ଡିଙ୍ଗ୍) : Leaning downward : ନଇଁବା;
ନୁଆଁଇବା Motionless (ମୋଶନଲେସ୍) : Completely still : ନିଶ୍ଚଳ;
ଗତିହୀନ Mounted (ମାଉଣ୍ଟିଡ୍) : Climbed; went up : ଉପରକୁ
ଚଢ଼ିଲା Bore (ବୋର୍) : Carried; took with oneself : ବହନ କଲା; ସାଙ୍ଗରେ
ନେଲା Long after (ଲଙ୍ଗ୍ ଆଫ୍ଟର୍) : For a long time afterwards : ବହୁ ସମୟ ପରେ ମଧ୍ୟ
Summary
Stanza 1: English: The poet asks us to look at a solitary Highland
girl working alone in the field. She is cutting and binding the grain while
singing to herself. He asks us either to stop and listen to her beautiful,
melancholy song or to pass gently without disturbing her. Her song is so
powerful and moving that the entire deep valley seems to be filled with its
sound.
ଓଡ଼ିଆ: କବି ଆମକୁ କ୍ଷେତରେ ଏକୁଟିଆ କାମ କରୁଥିବା ଜଣେ ପାହାଡ଼ିଆ ଯୁବତୀକୁ ଦେଖିବାକୁ କହୁଛନ୍ତି। ସେ ଫସଲ କାଟି ଓ ବାନ୍ଧିବା ସହିତ ଏକୁଟିଆ ଗୀତ ଗାଉଛି। କବି ଆମକୁ ତାଙ୍କ ମଧୁର ଓ ବିଷାଦଭରା ଗୀତ ଶୁଣିବା ପାଇଁ ଅଟକିବାକୁ କିମ୍ବା ତାଙ୍କୁ ବାଧା ନଦେଇ ଧୀରେ ଚାଲିଯିବାକୁ କହୁଛନ୍ତି। ତାଙ୍କ ଗୀତ ଏତେ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ଓ ହୃଦୟସ୍ପର୍ଶୀ ଯେ ସମଗ୍ର ଗଭୀର ଉପତ୍ୟକାଟି ତାହାର ସ୍ୱରରେ ପରିପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହୋଇଯାଇଥିବା ପରି ଲାଗୁଛି।
Stanza 2 English: The poet praises the girl's song by comparing it
with the song of the nightingale. He says that even the nightingale could not
sing more welcome and comforting notes to tired groups of travellers resting in
a shady place after travelling through the Arabian desert. Thus, the girl's
song is presented as exceptionally sweet and soothing.
ଓଡ଼ିଆ: କବି ଝିଅଟିର ଗୀତକୁ ନାଇଟିଙ୍ଗେଲ୍ ପକ୍ଷୀର ଗୀତ ସହିତ ତୁଳନା କରି ପ୍ରଶଂସା କରୁଛନ୍ତି। ସେ କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ଆରବ ମରୁଭୂମି ଦେଇ ଯାତ୍ରା କରି କୌଣସି ଛାୟାଯୁକ୍ତ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ବିଶ୍ରାମ ନେଉଥିବା କ୍ଲାନ୍ତ ଯାତ୍ରୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ନାଇଟିଙ୍ଗେଲ୍ ମଧ୍ୟ ଏହାଠାରୁ ଅଧିକ ଆନନ୍ଦଦାୟକ ଓ ଆରାମଦାୟକ ସ୍ୱର ଦେଇପାରିନଥାନ୍ତା। ଏହିପରି ଭାବରେ ଝିଅଟିର ଗୀତକୁ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ମଧୁର ଓ ଶାନ୍ତିଦାୟକ ଭାବେ ଦର୍ଶାଯାଇଛି।
Stanza 3: English: The poet says that he has never heard such a
thrilling and touching voice, not even from the cuckoo singing in spring. He
imagines that the girl's song is even more beautiful than the cuckoo's song
that breaks the silence of the distant seas around the Hebrides Islands. Her
voice therefore appears to be extraordinarily powerful and enchanting.
ଓଡ଼ିଆ: କବି କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେ ଏପରି ମନମୁଗ୍ଧକାରୀ ଓ ହୃଦୟସ୍ପର୍ଶୀ ସ୍ୱର କେବେ ଶୁଣିନାହାନ୍ତି, ଏପରିକି ବସନ୍ତ ଋତୁରେ ଗାଉଥିବା କୋଇଲିର ସ୍ୱର ମଧ୍ୟ ଏପରି ନୁହେଁ। ଦୂରସ୍ଥ ହେବ୍ରିଡିଜ୍ ଦ୍ୱୀପପୁଞ୍ଜର ସମୁଦ୍ରର ନିରବତାକୁ ଭଙ୍ଗ କରୁଥିବା କୋଇଲିର ଗୀତଠାରୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଝିଅଟିର ଗୀତ ଅଧିକ ସୁନ୍ଦର ବୋଲି କବି କଳ୍ପନା କରୁଛନ୍ତି। ତେଣୁ ତାଙ୍କ ସ୍ୱର ଅସାଧାରଣ ଭାବେ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ଓ ମନମୁଗ୍ଧକାରୀ ଲାଗୁଛି।
Stanza 4: English: The poet wonders what the girl is singing about.
He thinks that perhaps her sad song tells of unhappy events from the distant
past, such as ancient battles. Alternatively, it may describe some simple and
familiar matter of everyday life. It may also express natural human sorrow,
loss or pain—sufferings that have happened before and may happen again.
ଓଡ଼ିଆ: କବି ଭାବୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ଝିଅଟି କ’ଣ ବିଷୟରେ ଗାଉଛି। ସେ ଅନୁମାନ କରୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ବୋଧହୁଏ ତାଙ୍କ ଦୁଃଖଭରା ଗୀତରେ ଦୂର ଅତୀତର ଦୁଃଖଦ ଘଟଣା, ଯଥା ପ୍ରାଚୀନ ଯୁଦ୍ଧର କଥା ରହିଛି। ଅଥବା ଏହା ଦୈନନ୍ଦିନ ଜୀବନର କୌଣସି ସରଳ ଓ ପରିଚିତ ବିଷୟ ବିଷୟରେ ହୋଇପାରେ। ଏହା ମଣିଷ ଜୀବନର ସ୍ୱାଭାବିକ ଦୁଃଖ, କ୍ଷତି ବା ଯନ୍ତ୍ରଣାକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିପାରେ—ଏପରି ଦୁଃଖ ଯାହା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଘଟିଛି ଏବଂ ପୁଣି ଘଟିପାରେ।
Stanza 5: English: Whatever the subject of the song may be, the
maiden sings as though her song will never end. The poet watches her continuing
to sing while working and bending over her sickle. He stands still and listens
to her enchanting voice. Finally, as he climbs the hill and moves away, he
carries the beautiful music in his heart, and its memory remains with him long
after he can no longer hear the actual sound.
ଓଡ଼ିଆ: ଗୀତର ବିଷୟ ଯାହା ହେଉନା କାହିଁକି, ଯୁବତୀଟି ଏପରି ଭାବରେ ଗାଉଛି ଯେପରି ତାଙ୍କ ଗୀତର କେବେ ଶେଷ ହେବ ନାହିଁ। କବି ତାଙ୍କୁ କାମ କରୁଥିବା ଏବଂ କାତି ଉପରେ ନଇଁ ଫସଲ କାଟୁଥିବା ସମୟରେ ଗୀତ ଗାଉଥିବାର ଦେଖୁଛନ୍ତି। ସେ ନିଶ୍ଚଳ ହୋଇ ତାଙ୍କ ମନମୁଗ୍ଧକାରୀ ସ୍ୱର ଶୁଣୁଛନ୍ତି। ଶେଷରେ, କବି ପାହାଡ଼ ଉପରକୁ ଚଢ଼ି ଦୂରେଇଯିବା ସମୟରେ ସେହି ସୁନ୍ଦର ସଙ୍ଗୀତକୁ ନିଜ ହୃଦୟରେ ବହନ କରୁଛନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ପ୍ରକୃତ ସ୍ୱର ଆଉ ଶୁଣାଯାଉନଥିବାର ବହୁ ସମୟ ପରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ତାହାର ସ୍ମୃତି ତାଙ୍କ ମନରେ ରହିଯାଉଛି।
Text Book Questions
G. Let's understand the poem:
Answer the following questions orally. You may refer to the text with
your world knowledge to locate the facts / information required.
1. What is the central idea of the poem? (Tick the correct answer.)
Ans. Beautiful experiences have long lasting effects. ✓
2. The setting of the poem is
Ans. (c) the Hebrides Islands
3. Who are the people described in the poem?
Ans. The people described in the poem are the Highland
Lass, a solitary Scottish girl who is reaping and singing in the
field.
4. Who does the expression 'Highland Lass' refer to? Why does he
describe her as "Yon solitary Highland Lass?"
Ans. The expression 'Highland Lass' refers to
a young girl from the Scottish Highlands. He describes her as "yon
solitary Highland Lass" because she is alone in the
field, reaping and singing by herself.
5. What is the girl doing?
Ans. The girl is reaping and singing by herself
in the field.
6. Who does the poet say 'Stop here or gently pass'? Why does he say
so?
Ans. The poet says this to the passer-by. He
asks the passer-by to stop and listen to the girl's song or pass gently
without disturbing her.
7. Pick out the words which tell that the girl does not have anyone by
her side.
Ans. The words are "solitary Highland Lass"
and "Reaping and singing by herself."
8. What is the tone of her song—happy, sad, soothing or sympathetic?
Ans. The tone of her song is sad.
9. 'Overflowing with sound'—Explain.
Ans. "Overflowing with sound" means
that the girl's song was so powerful and melodious that the whole
valley seemed filled with the sound of her singing.
10. The solitary reaper's song reminds the poet of other singers. Who
are they?
Ans. Her song reminds the poet of the nightingale
and the cuckoo-bird.
11. Who sings welcome notes? Where? For whom? What for?
Ans. The nightingale sings welcome notes in
the Arabian deserts for the weary travellers,
welcoming them with its sweet song.
12. Whose voice is thrilling?
Ans. The cuckoo-bird's voice is thrilling.
13. Where does it sing? When?
Ans. The cuckoo sings among the farthest Hebrides,
breaking the silence of the seas in the springtime.
14. Who does Wordsworth compare the farmer girl with? Why?
Ans. Wordsworth compares the Highland Lass
with the nightingale and the cuckoo-bird because her song is as
sweet, powerful and impressive as the songs of these birds. Her song
fills the valley and leaves a deep and lasting impression on the poet.
15.
The peasant girl's song is not intelligible to the poet because
Ans. her song is in a dialect he does not understand. ✓
16. What does the phrase 'humble lay' mean?
Ans. 'Humble lay' means a simple, modest or unsophisticated song.
17. The expression 'plaintive numbers' refers to sad music. Pick out another
phrase in the poem carrying the same meaning.
Ans. 'A melancholy strain'
18. What does the poet mean to say "As if her song could have no
ending."?
Ans. She keeps on singing and seems not to end. ✓
19. The poet listens 'motionless and still' because
Ans. the rich melodious voice of the singer holds him mesmerised and
spellbound. ✓
20. How did the song affect the narrator?
Ans. The song deeply affected the poet and remained in his heart long
after he had stopped hearing it. He carried the music with him even though
he did not understand its words.
21. In stanza-1 and stanza-2, four words and phrases have been used to show
that the girl working in the fields is without anyone by her. Pick out these
words and phrases.
Ans. The four words and phrases are:
1.
solitary Highland Lass
2.
by herself
3.
Alone she cuts and binds the grain
4.
sings a melancholy strain
22.
The theme of the solitary reaper's song contains sadness. What other words are
used in place of 'sad'?
Ans. The words are plaintive and melancholy.
23. What are the two synonyms for the 'young girl'?
Ans. The two synonyms are lass and maiden.
24. Three other words are used to mean song. What are they?
Ans. The three words are lay, strain and numbers.
25. A melancholy strain in stanza-2 means 'sad song'. Find out another
phrase in stanza-5 with similar meaning.
Ans. 'The music in my heart I bore'.
26. Which word in stanza-5 expresses the poet's guess?
Ans. The word is "Perhaps".
H.
Let's appreciate the poem:
1. Describe what picture of the valley and the farm worker comes to your
mind as you read the poem.
Ans. I imagine a quiet and beautiful valley in the Scottish Highlands.
In the middle of the valley, a young Highland girl is working alone in the
field, cutting and binding the grain. She is singing a sad, melodious song
while working. The whole valley seems to be filled with the sound of her song.
The peaceful natural surroundings and her lonely figure create a beautiful and
touching picture.
2. Why do you think Wordsworth has chosen the song of the nightingale and
cuckoo for comparison with the solitary reaper's song?
Ans. Wordsworth chooses the nightingale and the cuckoo because their
songs are sweet, powerful and memorable. The nightingale's song welcomes
weary travellers in the Arabian deserts, while the cuckoo's thrilling voice
breaks the silence of the seas around the distant Hebrides. By comparing the
girl's song with these famous bird songs, the poet shows how deeply her singing
affects him.
3. Whose song is sweeter according to the poet—the nightingale and the
cuckoo's or the solitary reaper's?
Ans. According to the poet, the solitary reaper's song is sweeter and
more deeply moving. Her song leaves such a powerful impression on him that
he carries its music in his heart even after he has left the place.
Stanza-wise One-Mark Questions and Answers
Stanza 1
1. Where does the poet see the girl?
Ans. The poet sees the girl working alone in a field.
2. What does the word “solitary” suggest about the girl?
Ans. It suggests that the girl is alone and without anyone accompanying her.
3. Who is the “Highland Lass”?
Ans. The “Highland Lass” is a young girl from the Scottish Highlands.
4. What is the girl doing in the field?
Ans. She is reaping and binding the grain while singing.
5. How is the girl working?
Ans. She is working by herself.
6. What does the girl do while reaping the grain?
Ans. She sings a song while reaping the grain.
7. What does “reaping” mean?
Ans. “Reaping” means cutting and gathering a crop.
8. What does the poet ask people to do when they see the girl?
Ans. He asks them either to stop and listen or to pass gently without
disturbing her.
9. Why does the poet ask people to “gently pass”?
Ans. He asks them to pass gently so that they do not disturb the girl while she
is singing.
10. What kind of song does the girl sing?
Ans. She sings a melancholy or sorrowful song.
11. What does “melancholy strain” mean?
Ans. It means a sad or sorrowful melody.
12. What does the poet request us to listen to?
Ans. He requests us to listen to the girl's beautiful song.
13. What is a “vale”?
Ans. A “vale” is a valley.
14. How is the vale described?
Ans. The vale is described as profound, or very deep.
15. What is overflowing with the sound?
Ans. The deep valley is overflowing with the sound of the girl's singing.
16. What does the overflowing sound suggest?
Ans. It suggests that the girl's voice is so powerful and beautiful that it
fills the entire valley.
17. What is the main activity described in the first stanza?
Ans. The main activity is the girl's reaping grain while singing.
18. What is the girl's emotional state suggested by her song?
Ans. Her melancholy song suggests a feeling of sadness or sorrow.
19. How does the poet react to the girl's song?
Ans. He is deeply impressed by it and asks others to listen to it.
20. What picture of the girl does the poet create?
Ans. He creates a picture of a lonely Highland girl peacefully working and
singing in a field.
21. What is the central idea of the first stanza?
Ans. The central idea is the beauty and emotional power of the solitary girl's
song.
22. Why does the poet call attention to the girl?
Ans. He calls attention to her because her singing is so beautiful and moving
that it deserves to be heard.
23. What does the girl's solitary work add to the atmosphere of the
stanza?
Ans. It creates an atmosphere of loneliness, quietness and peacefulness.
24. How does nature respond to the girl's song?
Ans. The deep valley seems to receive and echo her song.
25. What impression does the first stanza leave on the poet?
Ans. It leaves him deeply fascinated by the girl's lonely figure and beautiful,
melancholy song.
Stanza 2
1. Which bird does the poet mention in the second stanza?
Ans. The poet mentions the nightingale.
2. Why does the poet mention the nightingale?
Ans. He mentions it to compare its famous beautiful song with the girl's song.
3. What does “chant” mean?
Ans. “Chant” means to sing.
4. What does “welcome notes” mean?
Ans. “Welcome notes” means pleasant and comforting musical sounds.
5. Who are the “weary bands”?
Ans. The “weary bands” are groups of tired travellers.
6. Where are the travellers imagined to be?
Ans. They are imagined to be travelling among the sands of Arabia.
7. Why would the travellers welcome the nightingale's song?
Ans. They would welcome it because its beautiful song would give them pleasure
and comfort after their tiring journey.
8. What kind of place is a “shady haunt”?
Ans. A shady haunt is a cool, shaded place where travellers can rest.
9. What does “Arabian sands” refer to?
Ans. It refers to the sandy desert regions of Arabia.
10. What does the poet suggest about the girl's song through the
nightingale comparison?
Ans. He suggests that her song is at least as beautiful and comforting as the
nightingale's famous song.
11. Who are likely to appreciate the girl's song most?
Ans. Tired travellers would especially appreciate such a beautiful and
comforting song.
12. What feeling does the girl's song create in the listener?
Ans. It creates pleasure, comfort and emotional relief.
13. Why is the nightingale an appropriate comparison?
Ans. The nightingale is traditionally known for its beautiful and melodious
song.
14. What does the comparison with the nightingale tell us about the
poet's opinion of the girl?
Ans. It shows that the poet considers her singing exceptionally beautiful.
15. What is the main idea of the second stanza?
Ans. The main idea is that the girl's song is extraordinarily pleasant and
comforting, like or even better than the song of the nightingale.
16. What contrast is suggested in this stanza?
Ans. The harshness and weariness of the Arabian desert are contrasted with the
comfort of beautiful music.
17. Why would music be especially welcome in the Arabian desert?
Ans. It would provide emotional comfort and relief to travellers exhausted by
their journey through the desert.
18. What does “weary” mean?
Ans. “Weary” means extremely tired.
19. What does the second stanza reveal about the poet's appreciation of
music?
Ans. It reveals that the poet considers beautiful music a source of great
pleasure and comfort.
20. What quality of the girl's voice is emphasized in this stanza?
Ans. Its sweetness, beauty and comforting quality are emphasized.
Stanza 3
1. What does the poet say about the girl's voice?
Ans. He says that he has never heard a voice so thrilling.
2. What does “thrilling” suggest about her voice?
Ans. It suggests that her voice is deeply moving, exciting and emotionally
powerful.
3. Which bird is mentioned in the third stanza?
Ans. The cuckoo-bird is mentioned.
4. In which season does the cuckoo sing?
Ans. The cuckoo sings in spring.
5. What does “ne'er” mean?
Ans. “Ne'er” means “never.”
6. What does the poet compare with the cuckoo's song?
Ans. He compares the girl's voice with the cuckoo's song.
7. Why does the poet mention the cuckoo?
Ans. He mentions the cuckoo to emphasize how exceptionally beautiful and
thrilling the girl's voice is.
8. What does the cuckoo's song do to the silence of the seas?
Ans. It breaks the silence of the seas.
9. What are the Hebrides?
Ans. The Hebrides are a group of islands off the western coast of Scotland.
10. What does “farthest Hebrides” suggest?
Ans. It suggests a very distant and remote place.
11. What does the phrase “breaking the silence” suggest?
Ans. It suggests that the beautiful song fills and transforms an otherwise
quiet environment.
12. How does the poet rank the girl's voice in comparison with the
cuckoo's?
Ans. He suggests that her voice is even more thrilling than the cuckoo's song.
13. What natural setting is described in this stanza?
Ans. A distant sea around the Hebrides, with the silence being broken by
birdsong, is imagined.
14. What does the comparison with the cuckoo reveal?
Ans. It reveals the extraordinary beauty and emotional power of the girl's
singing.
15. What is the main idea of the third stanza?
Ans. The main idea is that the girl's voice is so beautiful and thrilling that
even the melodious song of the cuckoo cannot equal it.
16. What is the effect of the girl's song on the poet?
Ans. It deeply moves and fascinates him.
17. Why does the poet use natural sounds as comparisons?
Ans. He uses them to show that the girl's human voice is as beautiful as, or
even more beautiful than, the finest sounds of nature.
Stanza 4
1. What does the poet want to know?
Ans. He wants to know what the girl is singing about.
2. Why can the poet not understand the meaning of the song?
Ans. He cannot understand it because he does not know the girl's language.
3. What does the poet do when he cannot understand the song?
Ans. He imagines several possible subjects of the song.
4. What might the “plaintive numbers” be about?
Ans. They might be about sad events from the distant past.
5. What does “plaintive” mean?
Ans. “Plaintive” means expressing sadness or sorrow.
6. What kind of past events might the girl be singing about?
Ans. She might be singing about unhappy events and battles of long ago.
7. What does “far-off things” refer to?
Ans. It refers to events of the distant past.
8. What does “battles long ago” suggest?
Ans. It suggests wars and conflicts that took place in the distant past.
9. What is the second possibility suggested by the poet?
Ans. He suggests that the song might be about some simple and familiar matter
of everyday life.
10. What does “humble lay” mean?
Ans. It means a simple or ordinary song.
11. What does “familiar matter of to-day” mean?
Ans. It means an ordinary subject connected with present-day life.
12. What third possibility does the poet suggest?
Ans. He suggests that the song may express natural human sorrow, loss or pain.
13. What does “natural sorrow” mean in this context?
Ans. It means the common sorrow and suffering that human beings naturally
experience in life.
14. Can the sorrow expressed in the song happen again?
Ans. Yes, the poet says that such sorrow may happen again.
15. What does the poet's uncertainty about the song's subject show?
Ans. It shows that the emotional effect of music can be understood even when
its exact words are unknown.
16. What are the three possible themes suggested by the poet?
Ans. They are sorrowful events of the distant past, ordinary matters of present
life, and natural human sorrow, loss or pain.
17. What is the central idea of the fourth stanza?
Ans. The central idea is the mystery of the song's meaning and the universal
emotions of sorrow and suffering it may express.
18. What does the stanza suggest about human suffering?
Ans. It suggests that sorrow, loss and pain are universal experiences that can
occur repeatedly in human life.
19. What does the poet's imagination add to the poem?
Ans. It adds mystery and makes the reader wonder about the unknown story behind
the girl's song.
20. Why is the song called “plaintive”?
Ans. It is called “plaintive” because its tone seems to express sadness and
sorrow.
Stanza 5
1. Does the poet finally discover the subject of the girl's song?
Ans. No, he never discovers the exact subject of her song.
2. What does “whate'er the theme” mean?
Ans. It means whatever the subject or theme of the song may be.
3. How does the maiden sing?
Ans. She sings as if her song will never end.
4. What is the maiden doing while singing?
Ans. She is continuing her work of reaping the grain while singing.
5. What is a “sickle”?
Ans. A sickle is a curved tool used for cutting crops.
6. What does “o'er” mean in “o'er the sickle”?
Ans. “O'er” is a shortened form of “over.”
7. What does the poet do while the maiden sings?
Ans. He stands motionless and listens carefully to her song.
8. Why does the poet remain motionless?
Ans. He remains motionless because he is completely absorbed in the beauty of
her singing.
9. What happens when the poet climbs the hill?
Ans. He moves away from the girl and gradually can no longer hear her song.
10. What does the poet carry in his heart?
Ans. He carries the memory and beauty of her music in his heart.
11. Does the music disappear completely for the poet?
Ans. No, although he can no longer hear it, its memory remains in his heart.
12. What does “long after it was heard no more” mean?
Ans. It means that the memory of the song remains long after its actual sound
has disappeared.
13. What is the effect of the song on the poet?
Ans. The song leaves a lasting and beautiful impression on his heart.
14. Why is the ending of the poem significant?
Ans. It shows that the emotional power of the girl's song continues in the
poet's memory even after he leaves her.
15. What does the poet's response to the song reveal?
Ans. It reveals how deeply music can affect and remain in a person's heart.
16. What is the central idea of the fifth stanza?
Ans. The central idea is the lasting impression made by the girl's mysterious
and beautiful song on the poet.
17. What happens to the physical sound of the song?
Ans. The physical sound gradually disappears as the poet moves away.
18. What happens to the emotional effect of the song?
Ans. Its emotional effect remains alive in the poet's heart.
19. What does the final stanza tell us about the power of memory?
Ans. It shows that a beautiful experience can remain in our memory long after
the actual experience has ended.
20. Why does the poet remember the song even after leaving the girl?
Ans. He remembers it because its beauty and emotional power have made a deep
and lasting impression on him.
STANZA-WISE MCQs
STANZA 1
1. Where does the poet see the Highland girl?
A. In a garden
B. In a field
C. On a hill
D. In a village
Ans. B. In a field
2. What is the girl doing in the field?
A. Dancing and singing
B. Walking and talking
C. Reaping and singing
D. Resting and singing
Ans. C. Reaping and singing
3. The word “solitary” means:
A. Happy
B. Beautiful
C. Alone
D. Tired
Ans. C. Alone
4. Who is the “Highland Lass”?
A. A woman from Arabia
B. A young girl from the Scottish Highlands
C. A girl from England
D. A shepherdess from Wales
Ans. B. A young girl from the Scottish Highlands
5. What does “reaping” mean?
A. Planting crops
B. Watering crops
C. Cutting and gathering crops
D. Selling crops
Ans. C. Cutting and gathering crops
6. How is the girl working?
A. With a group of workers
B. With her family
C. With another girl
D. By herself
Ans. D. By herself
7. What does the girl do while working?
A. She talks
B. She sings
C. She cries
D. She laughs
Ans. B. She sings
8. What kind of song does the girl sing?
A. A joyful song
B. A patriotic song
C. A melancholy song
D. A comic song
Ans. C. A melancholy song
9. “Melancholy strain” refers to:
A. A joyful dance
B. A sad melody
C. A loud noise
D. A war cry
Ans. B. A sad melody
10. What does the poet ask the passer-by to do?
A. Talk to the girl
B. Stop and listen or gently pass
C. Help the girl
D. Take her home
Ans. B. Stop and listen or gently pass
11. Why should people “gently pass”?
A. To avoid the rain
B. To avoid disturbing the girl
C. To reach the village quickly
D. To protect the crops
Ans. B. To avoid disturbing the girl
12. What does the girl cut and bind?
A. Flowers
B. Grass
C. Grain
D. Trees
Ans. C. Grain
13. What is a “vale”?
A. A mountain
B. A valley
C. A forest
D. A river
Ans. B. A valley
14. The vale is described as:
A. Narrow
B. Dark
C. Profound
D. Dry
Ans. C. Profound
15. What is “overflowing” with sound?
A. The field
B. The hill
C. The vale
D. The village
Ans. C. The vale
16. What does the overflowing sound suggest?
A. The girl is shouting
B. Her voice fills the valley
C. The valley is noisy
D. There is a storm
Ans. B. Her voice fills the valley
17. Which quality of the girl's song is emphasized in this stanza?
A. Its humour
B. Its beauty and sadness
C. Its loudness only
D. Its simplicity only
Ans. B. Its beauty and sadness
18. What atmosphere is created by the girl's solitary work?
A. Noisy and crowded
B. Peaceful and lonely
C. Joyful and festive
D. Frightening and violent
Ans. B. Peaceful and lonely
19. Why does the poet ask us to listen to the girl?
A. She is calling for help
B. Her song is extraordinarily beautiful
C. She is singing a famous song
D. She wants company
Ans. B. Her song is extraordinarily beautiful
20. What is the main theme of Stanza 1?
A. The dangers of farming
B. The beauty and emotional power of the girl's song
C. The life of Scottish farmers
D. The importance of hard work
Ans. B. The beauty and emotional power of the girl's song
21. What does the solitary figure of the girl contribute to the poem?
A. A sense of loneliness
B. A sense of anger
C. A sense of humour
D. A sense of fear
Ans. A. A sense of loneliness
22. What does the poet's command “O listen!” reveal?
A. His irritation
B. His excitement and admiration
C. His fear
D. His confusion
Ans. B. His excitement and admiration
23. The sound of the girl's voice is presented as:
A. Weak and unpleasant
B. Powerful and far-reaching
C. Harsh and frightening
D. Ordinary and dull
Ans. B. Powerful and far-reaching
24. What is the poet's attitude towards the girl?
A. Indifferent
B. Admiring
C. Hostile
D. Critical
Ans. B. Admiring
25. Which combination best describes the girl in Stanza 1?
A. Noisy and cheerful
B. Solitary and hardworking
C. Lazy and careless
D. Proud and arrogant
Ans. B. Solitary and hardworking
STANZA 2
1. Which bird is mentioned in Stanza 2?
A. Cuckoo
B. Nightingale
C. Sparrow
D. Skylark
Ans. B. Nightingale
2. Why does the poet mention the nightingale?
A. To describe the girl's appearance
B. To compare its song with the girl's song
C. To describe the Scottish landscape
D. To introduce another character
Ans. B. To compare its song with the girl's song
3. The nightingale is traditionally famous for its:
A. Colour
B. Strength
C. Beautiful song
D. Speed
Ans. C. Beautiful song
4. What does “chaunt” mean?
A. To dance
B. To sing
C. To cry
D. To speak
Ans. B. To sing
5. Who are the “weary bands”?
A. Groups of soldiers
B. Groups of tired travellers
C. Groups of farmers
D. Groups of singers
Ans. B. Groups of tired travellers
6. Where are the travellers imagined to be travelling?
A. Through the Scottish Highlands
B. Among Arabian sands
C. Through a forest
D. Across the sea
Ans. B. Among Arabian sands
7. What would be welcome to the tired travellers?
A. A battle
B. A beautiful song
C. A storm
D. A loud noise
Ans. B. A beautiful song
8. What is meant by “shady haunt”?
A. A dark cave
B. A cool, shaded resting place
C. A dangerous place
D. A lonely mountain
Ans. B. A cool, shaded resting place
9. Why would the travellers appreciate the nightingale's song?
A. It would entertain and comfort them
B. It would guide them home
C. It would warn them of danger
D. It would frighten wild animals
Ans. A. It would entertain and comfort them
10. How does the poet describe the girl's song through the comparison with
the nightingale?
A. As ordinary
B. As unpleasant
C. As exceptionally beautiful and comforting
D. As frightening
Ans. C. As exceptionally beautiful and comforting
11. What does “welcome notes” mean?
A. Unpleasant sounds
B. Pleasant and comforting sounds
C. Angry words
D. Loud cries
Ans. B. Pleasant and comforting sounds
12. What contrast is suggested in this stanza?
A. Cold and heat
B. Desert hardship and musical comfort
C. Youth and old age
D. Day and night
Ans. B. Desert hardship and musical comfort
13. Why is the desert setting important?
A. It emphasizes the comfort provided by beautiful music
B. It describes the girl's homeland
C. It explains why the girl is singing
D. It introduces the nightingale's habitat
Ans. A. It emphasizes the comfort provided by beautiful music
14. What does the comparison with the nightingale tell us about the girl?
A. She is a professional singer
B. Her singing is extraordinarily beautiful
C. She sings loudly
D. She sings happily
Ans. B. Her singing is extraordinarily beautiful
15. What is the main idea of Stanza 2?
A. Travelling through Arabia is dangerous
B. The girl's song is as comforting as the sweetest natural music
C. Nightingales are better singers than humans
D. Travellers love music
Ans. B. The girl's song is as comforting as the sweetest natural music
STANZA 3
1. What quality of the girl's voice is emphasized in Stanza 3?
A. Its roughness
B. Its thrilling quality
C. Its loudness
D. Its weakness
Ans. B. Its thrilling quality
2. What does “ne'er” mean?
A. Always
B. Never
C. Often
D. Sometimes
Ans. B. Never
3. Which bird is mentioned in Stanza 3?
A. Nightingale
B. Cuckoo
C. Eagle
D. Swan
Ans. B. Cuckoo
4. In which season does the cuckoo sing?
A. Winter
B. Summer
C. Spring
D. Autumn
Ans. C. Spring
5. What does the cuckoo's song do?
A. Creates silence
B. Breaks the silence
C. Stops the travellers
D. Frightens the girl
Ans. B. Breaks the silence
6. What is meant by “the silence of the seas”?
A. The quietness surrounding the distant seas
B. The sound of waves
C. A violent storm
D. A silent village
Ans. A. The quietness surrounding the distant seas
7. Where are the Hebrides?
A. In Arabia
B. Off the western coast of Scotland
C. In India
D. In England
Ans. B. Off the western coast of Scotland
8. What does “farthest Hebrides” suggest?
A. A nearby place
B. A distant and remote place
C. A crowded city
D. A desert
Ans. B. A distant and remote place
9. What does the poet say about the girl's voice?
A. It is ordinary
B. It is unpleasant
C. He has never heard such a thrilling voice
D. It is weak
Ans. C. He has never heard such a thrilling voice
10. The girl's voice is compared with:
A. The sound of thunder
B. The song of the cuckoo
C. The sound of the sea
D. The song of the nightingale only
Ans. B. The song of the cuckoo
11. Why does the poet mention the cuckoo?
A. To show that the girl's song is inferior
B. To emphasize the extraordinary beauty of her voice
C. To describe the season
D. To identify the girl
Ans. B. To emphasize the extraordinary beauty of her voice
12. What does “thrilling” mean in the context of the poem?
A. Frightening
B. Deeply moving and exciting
C. Very loud
D. Very short
Ans. B. Deeply moving and exciting
13. What natural setting is evoked in this stanza?
A. Arabian desert
B. Distant seas and the Hebrides
C. A crowded town
D. A battlefield
Ans. B. Distant seas and the Hebrides
14. What does the comparison with the cuckoo suggest?
A. The girl's voice is less attractive
B. Her voice is as or more beautiful than the cuckoo's
C. She is imitating the cuckoo
D. She is singing about birds
Ans. B. Her voice is as or more beautiful than the cuckoo's
15. What is the main theme of Stanza 3?
A. The beauty and thrilling power of the girl's voice
B. The geography of Scotland
C. The life of the cuckoo
D. The dangers of the sea
Ans. A. The beauty and thrilling power of the girl's voice
STANZA 4
1. What question does the poet ask at the beginning of Stanza 4?
A. Where does the girl live?
B. What does she sing?
C. Why does she work alone?
D. Who taught her to sing?
Ans. B. What does she sing?
2. Why is the poet curious about the song?
A. He cannot understand its subject
B. He dislikes it
C. He wants to sing it himself
D. He knows the song already
Ans. A. He cannot understand its subject
3. What does “plaintive” mean?
A. Joyful
B. Sad and sorrowful
C. Angry
D. Humorous
Ans. B. Sad and sorrowful
4. What might the song be about according to the poet's first guess?
A. A wedding
B. Old and unhappy events
C. A harvest festival
D. Nature
Ans. B. Old and unhappy events
5. What historical events might the girl be singing about?
A. Ancient battles
B. Royal celebrations
C. Sporting events
D. Festivals
Ans. A. Ancient battles
6. What does “far-off things” refer to?
A. Nearby events
B. Events of the distant past
C. Future events
D. Daily activities
Ans. B. Events of the distant past
7. What is the second possibility suggested by the poet?
A. The song is about a simple matter of everyday life
B. The song is about war
C. The song is about nature
D. The song is about travel
Ans. A. The song is about a simple matter of everyday life
8. What does “humble lay” mean?
A. A grand epic
B. A simple song
C. A religious prayer
D. A war song
Ans. B. A simple song
9. What does “familiar matter of to-day” mean?
A. An ancient legend
B. A present-day everyday matter
C. A future event
D. A foreign story
Ans. B. A present-day everyday matter
10. What third possibility does the poet suggest?
A. Natural sorrow, loss or pain
B. Happiness and celebration
C. A journey through Arabia
D. A love story
Ans. A. Natural sorrow, loss or pain
11. What does “natural sorrow” refer to?
A. Sorrow caused only by nature
B. Common human suffering
C. Fear of animals
D. Sadness caused by weather
Ans. B. Common human suffering
12. What does the phrase “may be again” suggest?
A. Human suffering can recur
B. The song will be repeated
C. The girl will sing again
D. The war will certainly happen
Ans. A. Human suffering can recur
13. Which of the following is NOT suggested as a possible theme of the song?
A. Ancient battles
B. Everyday matters
C. Human sorrow and pain
D. A joyful celebration
Ans. D. A joyful celebration
14. What does the poet's uncertainty create in the poem?
A. Mystery
B. Anger
C. Humour
D. Fear
Ans. A. Mystery
15. What is the central theme of Stanza 4?
A. The mystery of the song and the universality of human sorrow
B. The beauty of the Scottish landscape
C. The hardships of farming
D. The life of travellers
Ans. A. The mystery of the song and the universality of human sorrow
16. What does the stanza suggest about sorrow?
A. It is experienced only by the girl
B. It is a universal human experience
C. It belongs only to the past
D. It can never happen again
Ans. B. It is a universal human experience
17. Why does the poet imagine several possible themes?
A. He wants to understand the emotional meaning behind the unknown song
B. He wants to criticize the girl
C. He wants to stop her singing
D. He knows the exact story
Ans. A. He wants to understand the emotional meaning behind the unknown song
STANZA 5
1. Does the poet know the exact theme of the girl's song?
A. Yes
B. No
C. He asks the girl
D. He asks a traveller
Ans. B. No
2. What does “whate'er the theme” mean?
A. Whatever the subject may be
B. Only a sad subject
C. A historical subject
D. A familiar subject
Ans. A. Whatever the subject may be
3. How does the maiden sing?
A. As if the song will soon end
B. As if the song could have no ending
C. As if she is angry
D. As if she is tired
Ans. B. As if the song could have no ending
4. What is the maiden doing while singing?
A. Walking
B. Resting
C. Working
D. Dancing
Ans. C. Working
5. What does the poet see the maiden bending over?
A. A tree
B. A sickle
C. A basket
D. A river
Ans. B. A sickle
6. What does the poet do while listening to the song?
A. He walks away immediately
B. He stands motionless and still
C. He sings along
D. He speaks to the maiden
Ans. B. He stands motionless and still
7. Why does the poet stand still?
A. He is afraid
B. He is deeply absorbed in the song
C. He is tired
D. He is waiting for someone
Ans. B. He is deeply absorbed in the song
8. Where does the poet go afterwards?
A. Into the field
B. Up the hill
C. Into the village
D. Towards the sea
Ans. B. Up the hill
9. What happens to the sound of the song as the poet moves away?
A. It becomes louder
B. It eventually can no longer be heard
C. It becomes joyful
D. It stops suddenly
Ans. B. It eventually can no longer be heard
10. What does the poet carry in his heart?
A. The sickle
B. The grain
C. The music
D. The girl's belongings
Ans. C. The music
11. What remains after the actual sound disappears?
A. Silence only
B. The memory of the music
C. The girl's voice physically
D. The sound of the sea
Ans. B. The memory of the music
12. What does the final line emphasize?
A. The shortness of the song
B. The lasting emotional effect of the song
C. The girl's hard work
D. The beauty of the hill
Ans. B. The lasting emotional effect of the song
13. What is the main theme of Stanza 5?
A. The lasting impression of the girl's song
B. The dangers of climbing hills
C. The importance of farming
D. The loneliness of Scotland
Ans. A. The lasting impression of the girl's song
14. What does the poet's carrying the music in his heart symbolize?
A. His physical journey
B. The lasting power of memory and art
C. His love for farming
D. His fear of silence
Ans. B. The lasting power of memory and art
15. Why does the song remain in the poet's heart?
A. Because he knows its words
B. Because it has deeply moved him
C. Because he wrote it himself
D. Because the girl gave him the song
Ans. B. Because it has deeply moved him
16. What happens to the poet's physical connection with the song?
A. He gradually loses the ability to hear it
B. He starts singing it
C. He hears it more clearly
D. He records it
Ans. A. He gradually loses the ability to hear it
17. What happens to his emotional connection with the song?
A. It disappears immediately
B. It remains long after he stops hearing it
C. He forgets it completely
D. It becomes unpleasant
Ans. B. It remains long after he stops hearing it
18. What does the ending suggest about the power of music?
A. Music has only temporary value
B. Music can leave a lasting impression on the human heart
C. Music is useful only for entertainment
D. Music cannot express emotions
Ans. B. Music can leave a lasting impression on the human heart
19. Which idea best describes the conclusion of the poem?
A. The poet forgets the girl quickly
B. The girl's song continues to live in the poet's memory
C. The girl stops working
D. The poet discovers the meaning of the song
Ans. B. The girl's song continues to live in the poet's memory
20. What does the whole poem ultimately celebrate?
A. Farming and agriculture only
B. The beauty and emotional power of music and nature
C. War and history
D. Travelling and adventure
Ans. B. The beauty and emotional power of music and nature
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