We're in Scotland for this poem, and there's a highland lass (a woman from the northern part of Scotland) out in the fields. That covers the culture part. She also happens to be singing a song, and, well, that takes care of the art part. But "The Solitary Reaper" isn't really a poem about the art and culture of Scotland per se. It's more a general reflection on poetry itself (usually, whenever poets talk about singing, they're also talking about poetry). The Romantic poets loved to talked about solitary peasant artists (like the woman) and how moved they were by them. (The speaker carries the woman's song with him for the rest of his life, presumably.)
Questions About Art and Culture
- What is the relationship between singing and farming? Can the woman sing when she's not "reaping"?
- Does the speaker offer any thoughts about whether or not the woman is a better poet than he? Is there any indication that he's worried about being outshined?
- What is the significance of the fact that the woman is all alone?
- Is the speaker only moved because the woman's song is sad? How can you tell?
Chew on This
Poetry can be found anywhere, no Googling necessary. "The Solitary Reaper" shows that beautiful, inspired poetry can be found even in sparsely-populated (in 1800) areas like northern Scotland.
Art is incredibly powerful, so powerful that it can take our breath away (gasp). That effect explains the speaker's reaction near the end of the poem, where he describes himself as "motionless, and still."