The Solitary Reaper

by William Wordsworth

Start Free Trial

Editor's Choice

What are the synonyms and antonyms in "The Solitary Reaper"?

Quick answer:

In "The Solitary Reaper," Wordsworth employs synonyms like "single," "solitary," "alone," and "by herself" to emphasize the reaper's isolation. He uses antonyms in the second stanza, such as "chaunt," "notes," and "voice" versus "silence," to highlight her singing's beauty. In the third stanza, synonyms like "plaintive" and "sorrow" contrast with "long ago" and "to-day," while the final stanza contrasts "motionless" with "mounted."

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

In the first two lines of the poem, Wordsworth calls the Highland Lass both "single" and "solitary," which reinforces how alone the woman is as she reaps and binds. Wordsworth also uses the synonyms "motionless" and "still" to describe the narrator as he listens to the reaper singing her solitary song. Such repetition, in the same line no less, emphasizes how spellbound the narrator is made by the singing. It is as if he had been turned into a statue. Her song itself is called both "plaintive" and "melancholy," both words carrying the connotation of sadness and lament.

I don't find any antonyms per se, but there is a juxtaposition of opposites in stanza three. Here, the poet speculates on what the subject of the reaper's song might be: she might be singing about the olden days and faraway places or she might be warbling a tune about present sorrows: "familiar matter of today."

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial