The Solitary Reaper Group

Question:

kkrishnabharathi
kkrishnabhar...
Student
High School - 9th Grade

This "s" sound at the beginning of sings and strain has been repeated. Do you know why? Can you find other instances of this in the poem?

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Posted by kkrishnabharathi on Sunday August 17, 2008 at 4:36 AM and tagged with alliteration, the solitary reaper.

Answers:

  1. reidalot
    reidalot Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    Yes! the poet uses alliteration, the repetition of consonants, to illustrate the nature of the Solitary Reaper. In stanza one, "she" is "single in the field, solitary, singing, sings a melancholy strain" and overflows with "sound." Wordsworth repeats the "s" to paint the image of the woman, alone, singing while she reaps. Remember, reaping is the act of harvesting, many times a metaphor for death. In the last stanza again the "s" is highlighted with her "song," singing" while the poet is "still." The Solitary Reaper's song is one which, once heard, can never be forgotten!

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/thesolitaryreaper

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    Posted by reidalot on Sunday August 17, 2008 at 5:10 AM


  2. kwoo1213 Teacher
    College - Junior

    eNotes Editor

    Another reason why he uses alliteration in the poem is because the "s" sounds evoke feelings of peacefulness and serenity.  "S" is a calming sound and it definitely adds to the tone of the poem, which is one of peace, serenity, and calm.

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    Posted by kwoo1213 on Sunday August 17, 2008 at 12:20 PM

  3. jassi
    jassi Student
    High School - 9th Grade

    THE S  HAS BEEN USED SO FREQUENTLY TO CREATE A MUSICAL EFFECT IN THE POEN . 

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    Posted by jassi on Wednesday October 1, 2008 at 5:00 AM