9th class English (FBISE)
National Book Foundation
Poem "The Human Seasons"
Written by
John Keats
Original Readings
Four Seasons fill the measure of the year;There are four seasons in the mind of man:He has his lusty Spring, when fancy clearTakes in all beauty with an easy span:
He has his Summer, when luxuriouslySpring’s honied cud of youthful thought he lovesTo ruminate, and by such dreaming highIs nearest unto heaven: quiet coves:
His soul has in its Autumn, when his wingsHe furleth close; contented so to lookOn mists in idleness—to let fair thingsPass by unheeded as a threshold brook:
He has his Winter too of pale misfeature,Or else he would forego his mortal nature.
Stanza 1
Line-by-Line Paraphrasing
“Four Seasons fill the measure of the year;”
👉 The poet says that the year is made up of four seasons — spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
“There are four seasons in the mind of man:”
👉 Similarly, human life has four stages or phases.
“He has his lusty Spring, when fancy clear”
👉 The poet compares childhood to spring, a time full of energy, liveliness, and imagination.
“Takes in all beauty with an easy span:”
👉 At this time (In childhood), people easily enjoy and admire the beauty of everything around them.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-1 in a paragraph:
👉 In this stanza, poet tells us that just as the year has four seasons — spring, summer, autumn, and winter — human life also passes through four similar stages. In spring, the first stage, which is like childhood, a person is mind is full of imagination, clear and is full of energy. At this time, a person can easily enjoy and appreciate all the beauty around him.
Stanza 2
Line-by-Line Paraphrasing
“He has his Summer, when luxuriously”
👉 The poet says that youth is like summer, a period of enjoyment and pleasure.
“Spring’s honey’d cud of youthful thought he loves”
👉 In this stage (in youth), people enjoy remembering and thinking about the sweet experiences of youth.
“To ruminate, and by such dreaming high”
👉 The poet says that the young people often dream and think deeply
“Is nearest unto heaven: quiet coves”
👉 This joyful dreaming makes them feel peaceful and spiritually uplifted.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-2 in a paragraph:
👉 In this Stanza, the summer, the second stage, is represented as youth. It is a time when people live with passion, pleasure, and deep thoughts. It is the time when one dreams high and enjoys life to the fullest, feeling closest to happiness and heaven. He has high aims about his future which he wishes to achieve. Their joyful dreaming makes them feel peaceful and spiritually uplifted.
Stanza 3
Line-by-Line Paraphrasing
“His soul has in its Autumn, when his wings”
👉 The poet says that the third stage, adulthood is like autumn, when life begins to slow down and a person becomes calm and thoughtful.
“He furleth close; contented so to look”
👉 In this stage (adulthood), people fold back their wings, meaning they stop chasing after everything, and feel satisfied just watching quietly.
“On mists in idleness—to let fair things”
👉 They are calm and idle, simply watching the beauty of life pass by.
“Pass by unheeded as a threshold brook.”
👉 They let things go, like a brook that flows past the doorstep without much excitement.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-3 in a paragraph:
👉 In this Stanza, poet tells that the third stage is like Autumn, Adulthood (the middle age). When a person becomes more calm, thoughtful and less eager to chase after worldly things. He starts to enjoy simply watching life pass by and doesn't feel the need to grab every opportunity. He doesn't take notice of everything like an unnoticed stream passing by his doorstep.
Final Couplet
“He has his Winter too of pale misfeature,”
👉 The poet says that old age is like winter, when a person’s body becomes weak and pale — represents death — the end of life.
“Or else he would forego his mortal nature.”
👉 Without this final stage—old age and death— a person would not be truly human, because all people must pass through this last stage.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-5 in a paragraph:
👉 In the last couplet, poet makes us that finally in winter, the last stage, the old age, the person's body begins to weaken, and he faces the reality of deterioration and eventually dying. This stage reminds him of mortality. Without this realization, he might forget that life will end one day.
The Summary of the poem “The Human Seasons” poem by John Keats:
In the poem “The Human Seasons” John Keats compares the stages of human life to the four seasons of the year. He says that childhood is like Spring, full of energy, freshness, and curiosity. Youth is like Summer, when people enjoy life’s pleasures and dreams. Adulthood is like Autumn, a time of calmness, reflection, and contentment. Finally, old age is like Winter, when the body grows weak, and people prepare for death. Through this comparison, Keats beautifully shows that every stage of life has its own charm and purpose, and all are part of the natural cycle of human existence.
The Central Idea / Theme of the poem “The Human Seasons” poem by John Keats:
1. The central idea of the poem “The Human Seasons” by John Keats is that human life moves through four natural stages, just like the four seasons of the year. Childhood is like spring, full of freshness and curiosity; youth is like summer, full of joy and passion; adulthood is like autumn, calm and reflective; and old age is like winter, marked by decline and the nearness of death. Keats highlights that these stages are a natural part of life, and each has its own beauty and purpose.
2. The 'Human Seasons' is the John Keat's reflection on the shape of human life. It reflects the growth of human mind just like seasons of a year. Like each year, each life has four seasons: spring of childhood, the summer of youth, the autumn of middle age and winter of old age. People must learn from all these seasons letting their minds grow by both beauty and suffering.
Short Answer Questions:
1. Who is the poet of the poem “The Human Seasons”?
👉 The poem “The Human Seasons” is written by John Keats, a famous Romantic poet known for his deep love of nature and human emotions.2. What is the main comparison made in the poem “The Human Seasons”?
👉 The poet compares the four stages of human life to the four seasons of the year—spring, summer, autumn, and winter.3. What does the poet compare childhood to?
👉 The poet compares childhood to spring, a time of freshness, innocence, and curiosity, when everything feels new and full of joy.4. How does the poet describe youth in the poem?
👉 The poet describes youth as summer, a stage filled with passion, dreams, and enjoyment of life’s pleasures.5. What is the meaning of “Autumn” in the poem?
👉 In the poem, Autumn represents adulthood, when a person becomes calm, thoughtful, and satisfied with life’s experiences.6. What does “Winter” symbolize in the poem?
👉 Winter symbolizes old age, when a person becomes weak and prepares for the end of life or death.7. What message does John Keats convey through this poem?
👉 Keats conveys that each stage of life has its own beauty and purpose, and all are part of the natural cycle of human existence.Long Answer Questions:
1. Explain how John Keats compares the stages of human life to the four seasons in the poem “The Human Seasons.”
👉 In “The Human Seasons,” John Keats compares the stages of human life to the four seasons of the year. Childhood is like spring, full of innocence and joy. Youth is like summer, when one enjoys life with energy and passion. Adulthood is like autumn, a period of calmness and reflection. Old age is like winter, when the body weakens, and one prepares for death. Through this comparison, Keats shows that life moves naturally through these stages, each with its own beauty and importance.2. What idea about human life does the poet want to express through the poem “The Human Seasons”?
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