The Solitary Reaper by William Wordsworth | Figures of Speech

The Solitary Reaper by William Wordsworth | Figures of Speech

"The Solitary Reaper" composed by William Wordsworth is a famous romantic poem. In this poem "The Solitary Reaper", the poet uses various Figures of Speech (Ornaments of language). These ornaments are mainly Metaphor, Simile, Hyperbole, Imagery, Alliteration, Personification, Symbolism, Repetition, Enjambment, and Apostrophe.

The use of these ornaments makes the poem emotionally visible and musically rich. This poem describes the scene of singing the song of a lonely mountain girl. Let us understand the ornaments used in the poem in detail:

1. Metaphor (metaphor): Using "like" or "as" without comparing an object or feeling.

    Example:

    "O listen! For the vale profile"

    Here the metaphor of "Vale Profound" (deep valley) is used, which reflects the depth and calm environment of the valley.

2. Simile (Upma): When two things are compared through "like" or "as".

    Example:

    "Her voice was like a nightingale"

    Here the poet compared the girl's voice to Nightingale.

    Another example:

    "More welcome notes to weary bands

    Of travelers in some shady haunt,

    Among Arabian Sands. "

    Here the girl's song has been described as a soothing music for tired travelers in the desert.

3. Hyperbole: To say something exaggerated.

    Example:

    "Breaking the Silence of the Seas

    Among the fartest hebrides. "

    This statement states that the girl's song is heard so far that the depths of the sea and remote islands are reaching.

4. Imagery (visuality): Use of words that emerge any scene in the reader's mind.

    Example:

    "Behold Her, Single in the field,

    Yon Solitary Highland Lass! "

    Here the scene emerges in the mind singing the song of a lonely girl singing in the farm.

5. Alliteration (alliteration): To generate rhythm in the poem by the same sound or repetition of the letter.

    Example:

    "Single in the field"

    Here is the repetition of 'S' sound.

    Another example:

    "Among Arabian Sands"

    It has a repetition of 'A' sound.

6. Personification (Humanization): Giving human qualities to lifeless objects or abstract thoughts.

    Example:

    "Breaking the Silence of the Seas"

    Here the "silence" of the sea is given human quality.

7. Symbolism (symbolism): Symbolic use of an object or thought.

    Example:

    "Highland Lass"

    Here "Highland Lass" is a symbol of simplicity and natural beauty.

 8. Repetition (recurrence): Repeated use of a word or phrase.

    Example:

    "Reaping and singing by herself"

    Here the word "singing" is emphasized by recurrence.

9. Enjambment: When the idea began in a row, the idea goes on in the next line without punctuation.

    Example:

    "The music in my heart I boy,

    Long after it was heard no more. "

    The thought here flows in the next line instead of stopping at the end of the line.

10. Apostrophe: When the poet addresses an absent person, object or idea.

    Example:

    "O listen! For the vale profile"

    Here the poet is addressing the valley, as if he is calling him to listen.

Hence, the use of these ornaments makes the poem emotionally, visible and musically rich.

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