To Autumn by John Keats | Ode to Autumn | To Autumn | John Keats | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
Ode to Autumn
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells.
Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap’d furrow sound asleep,
Drows’d with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.
Where are the songs of spring? Ay, Where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,—
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.
line-by-line explanation of the poem
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Explanation
This line paints a vivid picture of autumn, using descriptive language and poetic devices.
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness: This phrase introduces the season as one with gentle fog (“mists”) and abundant harvest (“mellow fruitfulness”). These words create a sensory experience for the reader, allowing them to almost feel the coolness of the mist and the richness of the harvest.
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun: This imagery personifies autumn as a “bosom-friend” of the “maturing sun”. This suggests a close relationship between the two, where they work together to bring about the season’s bounty.
Poetic devices
Personification: Both autumn and the sun are personified by giving them human qualities like friendship and maturity. This adds a layer of complexity and emotional depth to the scene.
Alliteration: The repetition of the “m” sound in “mists” and “mellow” creates a sense of musicality and emphasizes the calmness of the season.
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
Explanation
This line builds upon the image of collaboration between autumn and the sun established in previous line. It further emphasizes their role in bringing forth the season’s harvest.
Conspiring with him how to load and bless: This phrase uses the word “conspiring,” which typically implies secrecy but here suggests a coordinated effort towards a good cause. Autumn and the sun are not plotting in the negative sense, but rather working together to “load” (fill) and “bless” (enrich) the vines with fruit.
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run: This line provides a visual image of vines overflowing with fruit, “running” around the “thatch-eves” of houses with thatched roofs. This image further emphasizes the abundance of the harvest.
Poetic Device
Personification: Both autumn and the sun are still implicitly personified, as they are depicted as actively “conspiring.”
Metaphor: The use of “conspiring” can be seen as a metaphor, implying a deliberate plan or strategy between them, even though these concepts are not human attributes.
Imagery: The line uses vivid imagery of “fruit” and “vines” to create a strong visual impression of the harvest’s abundance.
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
Explanation
This line vividly describes the impact of the collaboration between autumn and the sun on the fruit harvest.
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees: This phrase uses personification to describe the apple trees as being “bent” under the weight of their abundant fruit. The addition of “moss’d” adds a touch of age and rustic charm to the image.
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core: This part of the line emphasizes the thoroughness of the ripening process. The fruit is not only abundant but also perfectly ripe from the “core” outwards.
Poetic Device
Personification: The apple trees are personified as being able to “bend,” suggesting the tremendous weight of the apples.
Imagery: The line uses strong imagery of “apples,” “moss’d cottage-trees,” and “ripeness to the core” to create a picture of a rich and bountiful harvest.
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel;
Explanation
The gourds and hazel shells are also swelling and plumping, indicating the variety of fruits that are ripening. The “sweet kernel” inside the hazel shells indicates the reward that awaits after the hard shell is cracked.
Poetic Device
Imagery: The line uses strong imagery of “gourd,” “hazel shells,” and “sweet kernel” to create a sensory experience for the reader, allowing them to imagine the size, shape, and taste of the harvest.
to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells.
Explanation
Autumn is not just about harvesting, but also about sowing the seeds for the next cycle of growth. The bees are deceived into thinking that the warm days will never end because of the abundance of flowers. The phrase “summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells” suggests that the bees have more than enough honey stored in their hives due to the productivity of summer.
Poetic devices
Metaphor: “Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells” is a metaphor comparing the abundance of summer nectar to overflowing containers. This emphasizes the immense amount of resources summer provided to the bees.
Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Explanation
This line marks a shift in the poem. It moves from describing the characteristics of autumn to directly addressing the season itself.
Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?: This is a rhetorical question, meaning it doesn’t expect a literal answer. It addresses “thee”, referring to autumn, and questions who hasn’t witnessed its “store” (abundance of harvest).
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question: The use of a rhetorical question is a common poetic device used to emphasize a point or encourage reflection rather than eliciting a response. Here, it emphasizes the universality of experiencing autumn’s bounty.
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Explanation
This line continues the shift in tone and directly describes encountering autumn.
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find: This phrase introduces the possibility of encountering “thee” (autumn) by “seeking abroad”. This suggests that autumn is not readily apparent everywhere but needs to be actively sought, potentially in nature.
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor: This imagery personifies autumn as a relaxed figure “sitting” on the “granary floor”. The “careless” attitude further emphasizes the season’s abundance and the lack of need for worry or effort.
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind: This line adds details to the image, personifying autumn’s “hair” being gently lifted by the “winnowing wind”. This wind is used to separate chaff from grain after harvest, further connecting the image to the season.
Poetic devices
Personification: Autumn is again personified as a figure with “hair” that can be “lifted.”
Metaphor: The line can be seen as using a metaphor with the “winnowing wind” representing the passing of time or the transition between summer and autumn.
Imagery: The line uses vivid imagery of a granary floor, hair, and wind to create a peaceful and evocative scene.
Or on a half-reap’d furrow sound asleep,
Drows’d with the fume of poppies,
Explanation
This line offers an alternative image of encountering autumn. It paints a picture of the season as peaceful and restful.
Or on a half-reap’d furrow sound asleep: This phrase describes autumn as “sound asleep” on a “half-reap’d furrow” (a partially harvested field). This suggests a sense of tranquility and completion associated with the season.
Drows’d with the fume of poppies: This adds further detail, portraying autumn as “drows’d” (made sleepy) by the “fume” (smoke or vapor) of poppies. Poppies are known for their sedative properties, further emphasizing the sleepy and peaceful nature of the image.
Poetic devices
Personification: Autumn is again personified as a figure who can “sleep” and be “drows’d.”
Imagery: The line uses strong imagery of a furrow, sleep, and poppies to create a picture of peaceful slumber.
Metaphor: The “fume of poppies” can be seen as a metaphor for the tranquility and peacefulness associated with autumn.
while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Explanation
while thy hook / Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers: This phrase describes “thy hook” (a tool used for harvesting) “sparing” the “next swath” (a section of something to be cut or harvested) and “all its twined flowers.” This suggests that even during harvest, autumn shows compassion and preserves some of nature’s beauty.
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep: This phrase introduces another comparison of “thou” (autumn) to a “gleaner”, someone who gathers leftover crops after a harvest. This suggests that autumn thoroughly gathers its bounty.
Steady thy laden head across a brook: This detail describes the “gleaner” carrying a “laden head” (a head full of harvested crops) and crossing a brook while keeping it “steady.” This portrays a sense of determination and resilience associated with autumn.
Poetic devices
Personification: Autumn is again personified, having a “hook” that can make choices.
Metaphor: The “hook” can be seen as a metaphor for the power of autumn to harvest.
Imagery: The line uses imagery of a hook, swath, and twined flowers to create a picture of selective harvesting.
Simile: Comparing autumn to a “gleaner” is a simile, highlighting their shared characteristics of being thorough and dedicated to gathering the harvest.
Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.
Explanation
This line offers a final image of encountering autumn, this time associated with patience and the completion of the harvest.
Or by a cyder-press, with patient look: This phrase describes “thou” (autumn) standing “by a cyder-press” (a machine used to press apple juice) with a “patient look.” This suggests that even as the harvest process nears its end, autumn remains observant and involved.
Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours: This detail portrays “thou” “watching” the “last oozings” of juice from the apples “hours by hours.” This emphasizes the slow and meticulous nature of the cider making process, requiring patience and attention to detail.
Poetic devices
Personification: Autumn is again personified, having a “look” and the ability to “watch.”
Where are the songs of spring? Ay, Where are they?
Explanation
This line marks a shift in the focus of the poem. It introduces a rhetorical question that contrasts the abundance of autumn with the absent “songs of spring.”
Where are the songs of spring?: This question asks where the characteristic sounds of spring (presumably birds singing, blooming flowers, etc.) have gone. It highlights the passage of time and the absence of spring’s vibrant life.
Ay, Where are they?: The repetition of the question and the word “Ay” (an exclamation used to express surprise or confirmation) emphasize the speaker’s recognition and acceptance of spring’s departure.
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question: The use of a rhetorical question is a common poetic device used to emphasize a point or encourage reflection rather than eliciting a literal answer. Here, it highlights the contrast between the abundance of autumn and the absence of spring.
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,—
Explanation
This line directly addresses “thou” (autumn) and encourages it to not dwell on the absence of spring. It suggests that autumn has its own unique beauty and “music.”
Think not of them: This phrase directly tells autumn to not think about the “songs of spring” mentioned in the previous line. This implies that dwelling on their absence might lead to a sense of loss or longing.
thou hast thy music too,—: This part of the line uses a dash to create a pause before introducing the idea of autumn’s own “music.” This emphasizes the presence and value of what autumn possesses.
Poetic devices
Apostrophe: The line directly addresses autumn as “thou”, using apostrophe as a poetic device.
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
Explanation
These lines paint a vivid picture of the ending of the day in autumn using descriptive language and figurative devices.
“While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,”: This line describes the sunset through vivid imagery. The “barred clouds” suggest streaks or bands of clouds across the sky, and they are personified as “blooming”, creating a sense of beauty and transformation as the day comes to an end. The “soft-dying day” emphasizes the gentle transition from day to night.
“And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue,”: This line continues the description of the sunset, focusing on its impact on the landscape. The “stubble-plains” refer to fields with short stalks left after harvest. The “rosy hue” refers to the pink or red color of the sunset sky, which “touches” the fields.
“Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn”: This line introduces a new element – the sound associated with the evening. The “small gnats” are described as forming a “wailful choir” and “mourning.” This creates a sense of melancholy and potentially foreshadows the changing seasons and the approach of winter.
“Among the river sallows, borne aloft / Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;”: This line provides further details about the gnats and their movements. The “river sallows” are willow trees growing near the river, and the gnats are described as being “borne aloft” (carried upwards) or “sinking” depending on whether the “light wind lives or dies.” This creates a dynamic and interconnected image of the gnats, the wind, and the fading light.
Poetic devices
Personification: Clouds are personified as “blooming,” giving them human-like qualities.
Metaphor: “Wailful choir” is a metaphor, comparing the sound of the gnats to the singing of a mournful choir.
Imagery: The line uses imagery of “river sallows,” “borne aloft,” “sinking,” “light wind,” and “lives or dies” to create a detailed picture of the gnats’ movement and their connection to the environment.
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Explanation
“And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;” uses descriptive language and a figurative device to create a scene of autumn.
Full-grown lambs: This describes the maturity of the lambs, contrasting them with the young and playful lambs typically associated with spring. This subtle detail reinforces the passage of time and the progression of the season.
Loud bleat: The sound of the lambs is described as “loud”, suggesting their energy and presence in the landscape.
Hilly bourn: This refers to a “bourn” (a stream or spring) located on a “hilly” area. This creates a specific image of the lambs’ location, adding detail and depth to the scene.
Poetic devices
Alliteration: The repetition of the “l” sound in “full-grown lambs loud bleat” creates alliteration, a pleasing sound effect that emphasizes the line.
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
Explanation
This line offers a continuation of describing the sounds of the evening in autumn, introducing two different creatures and their vocalizations.
Hedge-crickets sing: This describes the sound made by “hedge-crickets”, insects known for their chirping. Their presence further emphasizes the changing season, as they are more commonly associated with the summer months.
And now with treble soft: This phrase introduces the “red-breast” (robin) and its “treble soft” whistle. The “treble” refers to the high-pitched quality of the sound, and the “soft” descriptor emphasizes its gentleness and calmness compared to the “loud bleat” of the lambs in the previous line.
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft: This specifies the location of the robin, describing it as “whistling” from a “garden-croft” (a small enclosed field or garden).
Poetic devices
Imagery: The line uses strong imagery of “hedge-crickets,” “treble soft,” “red-breast,” and “garden-croft” to create a visual and auditory picture of the evening scene.
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.
Explanation
This line completes the description of the sounds of the autumn evening by focusing on the swallows and their vocalizations.
Gathering swallows: This phrase describes the swallows as being in the process of “gathering”, suggesting they are preparing to migrate south for the winter. This detail reinforces the seasonal context and hints at the approaching change of environment.
Twitter: This word describes the sound made by the swallows, which is a high-pitched, chirping sound.
Poetic devices
Imagery: The line uses imagery of “gathering swallows” and “twitter” to create a visual and auditory picture of the swallows in the sky.
Summary
This beautiful poem is titled “To Autumn” and was written by the English Romantic poet John Keats. It was composed in September 1819 and is considered one of Keats’s finest works. The poem vividly captures the sights, sounds, and sensations of autumn, celebrating the richness and abundance of the season.
The first stanza sets the tone by describing autumn as the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.” Keats personifies autumn as a close friend of the sun, conspiring with it to bring about the ripening of fruits and the swelling of gourds. The imagery includes moss’d cottage-trees, apples, hazel shells, and buzzing bees, creating a lush and sensory depiction of nature’s bounty.
The second stanza shifts to a more personal interaction with Autumn, asking where it can be found amid its store. Keats describes Autumn sitting on a granary floor, with hair lifted by the wind, or peacefully asleep in a half-reap’d furrow. The poet portrays Autumn as a laborer, steady and patient, overseeing the extraction of cider from a press.
The third stanza reflects on the absence of the songs of spring, urging the reader not to dwell on them. Instead, the focus is on the music of autumn, with imagery of barred clouds, stubble-plains, gnats, river sallows, lambs, hedge-crickets, red-breasts, and swallows. The poem ends with a celebration of the unique and melodious sounds that characterize autumn.
“To Autumn” is renowned for its rich imagery, vivid descriptions, and the seamless blend of sensory experiences, making it a timeless ode to the beauty of the changing seasons.
Key Points
Author
John Keats (31 October 1795 – 23 February 1821) was an English Romantic poet. He was one of the main figures of the second generation of Romantic poets, along with Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Form
“Ode to Autumn” is an ode, a lyrical stanza in praise of or dedicated to someone or something, which captures the poet’s thoughts and feelings. The poem consists of three stanzas, each containing eleven lines. The poem is written in iambic pentameter. The first stanza has a rhyme scheme of ABABCDEDCCE while stanzas 2 and 3 have a rhyme scheme of ABABCDECDDE.
Speaker
The speaker in the poem can be considered a lyrical persona of the author himself, John Keats. Unlike the speakers in Keats’ other odes, who are more concerned with themselves, the speaker in “To Autumn” is solely concerned with the season.
Setting
The setting of the poem is during autumn, a season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. The poem was inspired by a walk near Winchester along the River Itchen.
Theme
The central theme of “To Autumn” revolves around embracing the beauty and transience of life, appreciating nature’s abundance, and recognizing the cycle of existence. The poem expresses reverence and awe for the great changes wrought by nature as autumn brings its riches to the landscape.
Plot
The poem is a tribute to autumn by John Keats. It discusses the richness of autumn when the leaves fall, vegetables and fruits get ripened. The poem praises autumn, describing its abundance, harvest, and transition into winter.
Tone
The tone of “Ode to Autumn” is lively, revealing the richness of autumn. The poem’s tone is not completely elegiac, despite its keen understanding of the passage of time.
Style
The style of “Ode to Autumn” is characterized by Keats’s simple, sensuous, and direct love of nature. The poem uses intense, sensuous imagery to elevate the fleeting beauty of the moment.
Message
The central message of “To Autumn” revolves around embracing the beauty and transience of life, appreciating nature’s abundance, and recognizing the cycle of existence. It suggests that autumn is a reminder of the cycle of life and death.
John Keats
Birth
John Keats was born on 31 October 1795 in London, England.
Family
His father worked at a livery stable, but died in 1804. His mother remarried, but died of tuberculosis in 1810. Keats had close emotional ties to his sister, Fanny, and his two brothers, George and Tom.
Education
Keats was educated at a school in Enfield. When he left at 16, he was apprenticed to a surgeon. At school, Keats developed an interest in classics and history.
Career
Keats wrote his first poems in 1814. In 1816, he abandoned medicine to concentrate on poetry. His poems had been in publication for less than four years when he died.
Style
Keats had a style “heavily loaded with sensualities”, notably in the series of odes. His poetry is marked by vivid imagery, great sensuous appeal, and an attempt to express a philosophy through classical legend.
Death
Keats died of tuberculosis at the age of 25 on 23 February 1821 in Rome, Italy.
Legacy
His poems were indifferently received in his lifetime, but his fame grew rapidly after his death. Today his poems and letters remain among the most popular and analysed in English literature.
Word Meaning
| Stanza | Tough Word | Meaning in English | Meaning in Hindi |
| 1 | Mists | Fine water droplets suspended in the air | कुहासा |
| Mellow | Soft, smooth, and pleasant | कोमल | |
| Fruitfulness | The state of bearing fruit or producing a plentiful harvest | उपजाव | |
| Bosom-friend | A close and dear friend | सखा | |
| Maturing | Reaching a fully developed or perfect state | परिपक्व होना | |
| Conspiring | To work together secretly to achieve a goal | सांठगांठ करना | |
| Bless | To make holy, fortunate, or successful | आशीर्वाद देना | |
| Vines | Climber/ Creeper | बेल | |
| Thatch-eves | The overhanging edges of a roof made of straw or other material | खपरा छत | |
| Run | To grow or spread along a surface | फैलना | |
| Bend | To curve or become crooked | झुकना | |
| Moss’d | Covered in moss | काई से ढका हुआ | |
| Core | The central and most important part of something | केंद्र | |
| Swell | To increase in size or amount | फूलना | |
| Gourd | A fleshy fruit with a hard rind | लौकी | |
| Plump | Full and round in shape | गोल-मटोल | |
| Hazel shells | Nut / Walnut | अखरोट | |
| Kernel | The seed at the center of a nut or fruit | गिरी | |
| Budding | Beginning to grow or develop | कली खिलना | |
| Ceaseless | Never stopping or ending | निरंतर | |
| O’er-brimm’d | Filled to overflowing | लबालब भरना | |
| Clammy | Unpleasantly sticky or moist | चिपचिपा | |
| 2 | Hath | Has/ Have | |
| Thee | Your | तुमको | |
| Oft amid | अक्सर बीच में | ||
| Store | A large amount of something | भंडार | |
| Granary | A building where grain is stored | अन्न भंडार | |
| Thy | Your | तेरा | |
| Winnowing | The process of separating chaff from grain by blowing air through it | सफाई करना | |
| Furrow | A long, narrow cut made in the ground, especially by a plow | खड्ड | |
| Drows’d | Made sleepy or sluggish | नींद से भरा हुआ | |
| Fume | The smoke or vapor that comes from something burning | धुआं | |
| Poppy | A flowering plant with large, brightly colored flowers | अफीम का पौधा | |
| Hook | A curved piece of metal or wood used for catching or holding something | हँसिया | |
| Swath | A line or band of mowed grass or grain | कटाई | |
| Twined flowers | a strong string of two or more strands twisted together | गुंथे हुए फूल | |
| Gleaner | Someone who gathers leftover grain or crops after a harvest | चुनाव करने वाला | |
| Thou | You | तुम | |
| Dost | Do | ||
| Laden | Carrying a heavy load | भरा हुआ | |
| Cyder-press | A machine used to press juice from apples to make cider | सेब का रस निकालने की मशीन | |
| Oozings | The slow leaking of liquid | टपकना | |
| 3 | Ay | An exclamation used to express surprise or confirmation | हाँ |
| Hast | Hast is an old-fashioned second person singular form of the verb ‘have’. It is used with ‘ thou’ which is an old-fashioned form of ‘you’. | ||
| Barred | Having stripes or bands of color | धारीदार | |
| Bloom | To flower or blossom | खिलना | |
| Stubble-plains | Fields of short stalks left after the grain has been harvested | खेतों का खेत | |
| Rosy | Pink or red, like the color of a rose | गुलाबी | |
| Wailful | Expressing or accompanied by a long, mournful cry | करुण | |
| Choir | the area occupied by singers | गायक-मंडली | |
| Gnat | A small flying insect with short antennae | मच्छर | |
| Mourn | To feel or express grief or sorrow | शोक मनाना | |
| Sallows | Willow trees | विलो के पेड़ | |
| Borne aloft | in the air or in a higher position | ऊपर उठा हुआ | |
| Sinking | diving | डूब | |
| Lambs | Lamb kin | मेमना | |
| Bleat | speak submissively | मिमियाहट | |
| Bourn | A stream or river | धारा या नदी | |
| Hedge-crickets | Crickets that live in hedges | झाड़ियों में रहने वाले झींगुर | |
| Treble soft | Triple soft | तिगुना मुलायम | |
| Red-breast | Type of bird | एक प्रकार की पक्षी | |
| Garden-croft | A small enclosed field | छोटा घेरा हुआ खेत | |
| Sound of bird | चहचहाना |
Very Short Answer Questions
Who is the author of “Ode to Autumn”?
The author of “Ode to Autumn” is John Keats.
What is the form of the poem?
The poem is an ode.
Who is the speaker in the poem?
The speaker in the poem can be considered a lyrical persona of the author himself, John Keats.
What is the setting of the poem?
The setting of the poem is during autumn.
What is the central theme of the poem?
The central theme of the poem is the beauty and transience of life.
What is the plot of the poem?
The poem is a tribute to autumn, discussing its richness and transition into winter.
What is the tone of the poem?
The tone of the poem is lively and appreciative.
What style is the poem written in?
The poem is written in a descriptive and vivid style.
Who are depicted as friends in the first two lines?
The maturing sun and autumn are depicted as friends in the first two lines.
What is the connection between the flowers and the bees?
Bees carry pollens from the flowers which help flowers to grow.
Why is the season of mists called the ‘close bosom-friend’ of the sun?
It helps the sun in replenishing nature and ripening of the fruits and growth of vegetables.
How do the season of mist and the sun conspire?
They conspire to load trees with fruits, fill sweetness to their core and also load creepers and vines with vegetables.
In what way has the summer helped the bees?
The summer has helped the bees to make the budding flowers bloom and produce honey in abundance.
Explain the line: “Barred clouds bloom the soft dying day, And touch the stubble plains with rosy hue.”
The poet describes the scene of the earth at sunset.
Why is the gleaner’s head said to be laden?
The gleaner’s head is laden with the leftover grains that he/she collected from the field.
Why is the Autumn said to be very careless?
By the time autumn comes, the harvest is over and grains are securely stored inside the granaries.
What is the central idea of the poem “To Autumn”?
The central idea of the poem is the beauty and transience of life.
What figures of speech are used in John Keats’ “To Autumn”?
The figures of speech used in “To Autumn” include personification, imagery, and alliteration.
How does John Keats personify autumn in “To Autumn”?
Keats personifies autumn as a harvester, a gleaner, and a musician.
Why is the poem “To Autumn” considered a Romantic poem?
The poem is considered a Romantic poem because it emphasizes emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature.
Short Answer Questions
What is the central idea of the poem “To Autumn”?
The central idea of the poem “To Autumn” is the beauty and transience of life. The poem expresses reverence and awe for the great changes wrought by nature as autumn brings its riches to the landscape.
What figures of speech are used in John Keats’ “To Autumn”?
The figures of speech used in “To Autumn” include personification, imagery, and alliteration. The season of autumn is personified as a close friend of the sun, a harvester, a gleaner, and a musician.
How does John Keats personify autumn in “To Autumn”?
Keats personifies autumn as a harvester, a gleaner, and a musician. In the first stanza, autumn is a harvester who conspires with the sun to ripen fruits and crops. In the second stanza, autumn is a gleaner who crosses a brook and watches a cider press. In the third stanza, autumn is a musician who produces music that is pleasant to the ear.
Why is the poem “To Autumn” considered a Romantic poem?
The poem is considered a Romantic poem because it emphasizes emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature. It reflects the Romantic era’s emphasis on expressing deep personal feelings and the beauty of the natural world.
How is nature presented in John Keats’ “To Autumn”?
Nature is presented in a very positive and beautiful light in “To Autumn”. The poem describes the richness and beauty of the season of autumn, with its ripe fruits, blooming flowers, and singing birds. It presents nature as a source of joy and inspiration.
What is the lyrical imagery in “To Autumn”?
The lyrical imagery in “To Autumn” is vivid and sensuous. Keats uses imagery to describe the sights, sounds, and sensations of autumn, such as ripe fruits, blooming flowers, singing birds, and the warmth of the sun.
What does the poet in “To Autumn” describe as the music of autumn?
The poet describes the sounds of autumn as its music. These sounds include the songs of various birds, the sound of gnats flying in the evening light, the bleating of lambs, the singing of crickets, the whistling of robins, and the chirping of swallows.
What is the significance of John Keats’ title “To Autumn”?
The title “To Autumn” signifies that the poem is an ode to the season of autumn. It suggests that the poem is a tribute to the beauty, richness, and transience of this season.
Which expressions in the first stanza of “To Autumn” indicate the season’s abundance and ripeness?
The expressions that indicate the season’s abundance and ripeness include “mellow fruitfulness”, “fill all fruit with ripeness to the core”, “to swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells”, and “more, and still more, later flowers for the bees”.
Why is autumn called the “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” in Keats’ “Ode To Autumn”?
Autumn is called the “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” because it is a time when the weather becomes misty and the fruits ripen. The phrase “mellow fruitfulness” refers to the ripening of fruits during autumn, while “season of mists” refers to the misty weather that is typical of this season.
Essay Type Questions
Write the critical appreciation of the poem.
Introduction John Keats, one of the most prominent figures of the Romantic movement, is renowned for his profound poetry that captures the essence of nature, beauty, and the human experience. His poetic masterpiece, “To Autumn,” showcases his exceptional ability to evoke emotions and imagery through his exquisite use of language and vivid descriptions.
Historical Context “To Autumn” is an ode written by John Keats in 1819. It is the last of his six odes, which are some of the most studied and celebrated poems in the English language. The poem was written shortly before Keats’s death in Rome in 1821, where the 25-year-old succumbed to tuberculosis.
Themes and Motifs The poem explores several themes and motifs, including nature and beauty, transience and mortality. It praises autumn, describing its abundance, harvest, and transition into winter. The poem’s themes of transience and the cycle of life are particularly poignant, as Keats reflects on the fleeting nature of beauty and life itself.
Literary Analysis The poem is written in iambic pentameter. The first stanza has a rhyme scheme of ABABCDEDCCE while stanzas 2 and 3 have a rhyme scheme of ABABCDECDDE. The poem encourages the reader to appreciate the beauty and impermanence of life. Keats uses personification to depict autumn as a figure actively involved in various natural processes. The poem uses intense, sensuous imagery to elevate the fleeting beauty of the moment.
Critical Reception “To Autumn” has been highly praised by critics for its vivid imagery, compelling themes, and beautiful language. Many critics agree in ranking “To Autumn” first among Keats’ Odes. Its three eleven-line stanzas ostensibly do nothing more than a season; no philosophical reflections intrude.
Conclusion “To Autumn” is a powerful tribute to the richness and vibrancy of the season. Keats’ evocative portrayal of autumn’s bounty invites readers to appreciate the beauty and significance of the season. With its descriptive language and compelling imagery, “To Autumn” continues to inspire critical appreciation and admiration for Keats’s poetic genius.
