The poem "To Autumn" by John Keats
1. Original Readings:
2. Paraphrasing of the poem (an ode)"To Autumn" by John Keats Line by line:
Stanza 1
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
→ The poet describes autumn as a season full of mist and gentle ripeness.
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
→ Autumn works closely with the ripening sun.
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
→ Together, autumn and the sun plan to make the earth rich and fruitful.
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
→ Vines growing around cottage roofs are filled with fruit.
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
→ Apple trees bend under the weight of apples,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
→ And every fruit is fully ripe to the core.
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
→ Gourds grow large and hazelnuts become full.
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
→ The nuts contain sweet seeds and more buds appear.
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
→ The poet adds that late flowers bloom for bees.
Until they think warm days will never cease,
→ The poet says that bees feel that warm days will never end.
For Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells.
→ Because the summer has filled their honeycombs with honey.
Stanza 2
Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
→ The poet asks who has not often seen autumn surrounded by abundance.
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
→ He says that anyone who goes outside may see autumn.
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
→ Autumn is imagined sitting calmly on a granary floor
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
→ The light winnowing wind gently lifts its hair.
Or on a half-reap’d furrow sound asleep,
→ The poet pictures autumn sleeping in a half-harvested field.
Drows’d with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
→ The strong scent of poppies makes it sleepy while the sickle rest.
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
→ The next strip of crops and its entwined flowers are left uncut.
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
→ The poet says that sometimes autumn is compared to a gleaner.
(A gleaner is a poor farm worker who collects leftover crops after harvesting.)
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
→ Autumn, like a gleaner, carefully carries a heavy load across a stream
Or by a cider-press, with patient look,
→ It stands patiently beside a cider press.
(A cider press is a machine used to crush apples and extract juice.)
Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.
→ It watches the last drops of juice slowly flow out.
Stanza 3
Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
→ The poet asks where the joyful songs of spring have gone.
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,—
→ He advises not to think about spring’s songs, as autumn has its own music.
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
→ As streaked clouds colour the sky during the fading day.
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
→ The harvested fields glow with a soft pink colour.
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
→ At that time, small gnats hum together sadly like a mourning choir.
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
→ Among the willow trees by the river, they are lifted into the air.
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
→ Among the willow trees by the river, they are lifted into the air.
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
→ Grown lambs bleat loudly from the streams and valleys of the hills.
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
→ Hedge crickets chirp softly in high-pitched tones.
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
→ A robin whistles gently from a garden.
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.
3. Stanza-wise paraphrasing of the poem "To Autumn" by John Keats in a paragraph:
Stanza 1
In the first stanza, the poet presents autumn as a season of mist and rich fruitfulness. He personifies autumn as a close friend of the sun, working together to ripen crops and bless the earth with abundance. Under their influence, vines around cottage roofs become heavy with fruit, apple trees bend with their load, all fruits ripen fully to the core. Gourds grow large, hazelnuts become plump with sweet kernels, and late flowers continue to bloom for bees. The bees gather so much nectar that they feel the warm days will never end, because summer has filled their honeycombs to the brim.
Stanza 2
In the second stanza, the poet continues to personify autumn and presents it in calm and restful harvest scenes. He asks who has not often seen autumn surrounded by its rich store of crops. Sometimes autumn is imagined sitting carelessly on a granary floor, with its hair softly lifted by the winnowing wind. At other times, it is pictured sleeping soundly in a half-harvested field, made drowsy by the strong scent of poppies, while the sickle rests and spares the next strip of crops and its entwined flowers. The poet also compares autumn to a gleaner who carefully balances a heavy load of grain while crossing a stream. Finally, autumn is shown standing patiently beside a cider press, quietly watching the last drops of apple juice slowly flow out.
Stanza 3
In the third stanza, the poet turns from the songs of spring to the unique music of autumn. He asks where the songs of spring have gone, but advises not to think about them because autumn has its own music. As the day gently fades, barred clouds spread across the sky and cast a soft rosy colour over the harvested fields. At this time, small gnats form a mournful choir among the willow trees by the river, rising and sinking as the light wind blows or becomes still. From the hills and streams, full-grown lambs bleat loudly, hedge crickets chirp softly, and a robin whistles from a garden. The stanza ends with swallows gathering in the sky and chirping as they prepare to migrate, completing the peaceful music of autumn.
4. Central Ideas of the poem "To Autumn" by John Keats:
1. The central idea of the poem “To Autumn” by John Keats is the celebration of autumn as a season of fulfilment, harmony, and mature beauty within the cycle of nature. Instead of associating autumn of decay and sadness, Keats presents it as a period of richness and completion. Through vivid imagery and personification, autumn is shown as a close companion of the maturing sun, working together to ripen fruits and load the earth with abundance. The first stanza emphasizes fertility and growth, while the second stanza presents autumn as a calm and restful figure, suggesting satisfaction after labour and the peaceful pause that follows harvest. In the final stanza, the poet acknowledges the absence of spring but insists that autumn possesses its own distinctive music. The sounds of insects, birds, and animals create a gentle and natural harmony, reflecting balance and order in nature. Overall, the poem conveys the idea that every season has its own value, beauty, and purpose, and should be appreciated in its own right.
3. The central idea of “To Autumn” by John Keats is the praise of autumn as a season of ripeness, peace, and beauty. The poet presents autumn as a fruitful time when nature is full and complete. He personifies autumn as a close friend of the sun, working together to ripen fruits and fill the earth with abundance. Trees, vines, and fields are shown heavy with crops. In the second stanza, autumn is shown resting quietly among the harvest, which creates a calm and satisfied mood. The poet does not show sadness at the passing of spring. Instead, he says that autumn has its own music. The soft sounds of insects, birds, and animals form a gentle harmony. Through this, the poet teaches that every season has its own value and beauty.
5. Summary of the poem "To Autumn" by John Keats:
3. The poem “To Autumn” by John Keats is a famous ode that celebrates autumn as a season of ripeness, calm, and natural beauty. The poet describes autumn as working closely with the sun to bring fruits and crops to full maturity. The first part of the poem focuses on abundance, showing trees, vines, and fields heavy with harvest. In the second part, autumn is personified as a restful figure, peacefully enjoying the results of its labour among the harvested fields. The final part shifts attention to the sounds of autumn, where insects, birds, and animals create a gentle music of the season. Although spring has passed, the poet does not regret it, as autumn has its own charm and harmony. Through rich imagery and personification, Keats presents autumn as a season of fulfilment and balance in the natural cycle.
6. Poetic Devices (figures of speech) Used in the poem "To Autumn" by John Keats:
1. Personification
(Giving human qualities to non-human things)
Autumn is treated as a living human being. Autumn is shown as a friend, worker, sleeper, and observer:→ Autumn is treated like a living being.
“Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun”
→ Autumn and the sun are shown as close friends.
“Conspiring with him”
→ Autumn and the sun are described as planning together like humans.
Autumn sitting, sleeping, watching (Stanza 2)
2. Apostrophe
(Addressing an absent or abstract thing directly)
“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”
“Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?”
→ Autumn is spoken to as if it can hear.
3. Imagery
(Word pictures appealing to the senses)
Keats creates vivid pictures using words related to sight, sound, smell, and touch.Visual imagery:
“stubble-plains with rosy hue”
“barred clouds”
Sound imagery:
“hedge-crickets sing”
“swallows twitter”
Touch / taste imagery:
“oozings hours by hours”
4. Metaphor
(An implied comparison)
“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”
→ Autumn is metaphorically presented as a season of richness and maturity.
“Barred clouds bloom”
→ Clouds are compared to flowers.
5. Alliteration
(Repetition of initial consonant sounds)
“Season of mists and mellow” (m sound)“Close bosom-friend” (b sound)
“Soft-dying day” (d sound)
6. Assonance
(Repetition of vowel sounds)
“mellow fruitfulness” (short e sound)
“full-grown lambs loud bleat” (long o sound)
7. Hyperbole
(Deliberate exaggeration)
“Until they think warm days will never cease”→ Bees thinking summer will never end is an exaggeration.
It shows abundance and fullness of the season.
8. Symbolism
(When something represents a deeper idea)
Autumn symbolizes more than a season.
Autumn → Symbol of maturity, fulfilment, and the later stage of life
Sunset / evening → Symbol of gentle ending, not sadness
→ It suggests calmness before decline (old age / death).
9. Rhetorical Question
(A question asked for effort, not meant to be answered)
-
“Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?”
→ Asked to emphasize that autumn has its own beauty.
10. Onomatopoeia
(Words that imitate sound)
“buzz” / “bleat” / “twitter”
→ These words create natural sounds in the poem.
7. Short-Answer Questions of the poem "To Autumn" by John Keats:
Q1. Who wrote “To Autumn”?
Ans: “To Autumn” was written by John Keats.
Q2. What type of poem is “To Autumn”?
Ans: It is a lyric poem and a famous ode.
Q3. How many stanzas are there in the poem?
Ans: The poem has three stanzas.
Q4. What is the main theme of “To Autumn”?
Ans: The poem celebrates the beauty, richness, and fulfilment of autumn.
Q5. How does Keats present autumn in the poem?
Ans: Keats presents autumn as a season of peace, maturity, and quiet joy.
Q6. Name the most dominant figure of speech in the poem.
Ans: Personification is the most dominant figure of speech.
Q7. Why does Keats not feel sad about the end of summer?
Ans: Because autumn has its own beauty and music.
Q8. What sounds are heard in the last stanza?
Ans: Sounds of gnats, lambs, crickets, robins, and swallows.
Q9. What does autumn symbolize in the poem?
Ans: Autumn symbolizes maturity, fulfilment, and the later stage of life.
8. Long-Answer Questions of the poem "To Autumn" by John Keats:
Q1. Discuss “To Autumn” as an ode.
Answer:
“To Autumn” by John Keats is one of the most famous odes in English literature. An ode is a lyrical poem written in praise of a person, object, or idea. In this poem, Keats praises the season of autumn and presents it as beautiful, rich, and peaceful.
The poem has three well-structured stanzas. Each stanza focuses on a different aspect of autumn. The first stanza shows autumn as a season of ripeness and abundance. The second stanza personifies autumn as a relaxed and contented figure enjoying the harvest. The third stanza highlights the gentle music of autumn, replacing the songs of spring.
Unlike traditional odes that are emotional and dramatic, “To Autumn” is calm, balanced, and reflective. The language is musical and full of vivid imagery. Keats does not show sadness or complaint; instead, he accepts the natural cycle of life.
Thus, “To Autumn” is a perfect example of a romantic ode, celebrating nature, beauty, and maturity.
Q2. How does Keats personify autumn in the poem?
Answer:
Keats uses personification throughout the poem by giving autumn human qualities. In the first stanza, autumn is described as a close friend of the sun, working together to ripen fruits. This makes autumn appear active and creative.
In the second stanza, autumn is shown as a human figure sitting on a granary floor, sleeping in the fields, carrying grain like a gleaner, and patiently watching cider being pressed. These images present autumn as calm, lazy, and satisfied.
In the third stanza, autumn becomes a listener and observer of nature’s sounds. The season is no longer active but reflective and peaceful.
Through personification, Keats turns autumn into a living presence. This makes the poem warm, intimate, and emotionally appealing.
Q3. Describe the theme of ripeness and fulfilment in “To Autumn.”
Answer:
The central theme of “To Autumn” is ripeness and fulfilment. Keats presents autumn as the season when nature reaches maturity. Fruits are fully ripe, crops are harvested, and the earth is rich with abundance.
In the first stanza, fruits are filled “to the core,” flowers bloom late for bees, and honeycombs overflow. This shows completeness and satisfaction. In the second stanza, harvesting is slow and peaceful, suggesting that nature is in no hurry.
The third stanza accepts the coming end of the season without sadness. The soft sounds of nature suggest calm acceptance rather than loss.
Keats uses autumn to symbolize the mature stage of life, where fulfilment replaces ambition and peace replaces excitement.
Q4. Write a note on imagery in “To Autumn.”
Answer:
Imagery plays a vital role in “To Autumn.” Keats uses vivid sensory imagery to appeal to sight, sound, and touch.
Visual imagery includes misty mornings, ripe fruits, bending apple trees, harvested fields, and rosy sunsets. These images create a rich and colourful picture of autumn.
Auditory imagery is prominent in the third stanza. The sounds of gnats, lambs, crickets, robins, and swallows create the music of autumn.
Tactile imagery appears in phrases like “soft-lifted hair” and “clammy cells.”
Through imagery, Keats makes autumn alive and tangible, allowing the reader to experience the season fully.
Q5. How does “To Autumn” reflect Keats’s philosophy of life?
Answer:
“To Autumn” reflects Keats’s belief in acceptance, balance, and the natural cycle of life. The poem suggests that every stage of life has its own beauty and value.
Instead of mourning the end of summer, Keats celebrates autumn. He shows that decline is not tragic but peaceful and meaningful. This reflects Keats’s idea of “negative capability,” where life is accepted without complaint.
The poem teaches that maturity and fulfilment are as important as youth and excitement. Keats presents death and decay indirectly but calmly, making the poem deeply philosophical.
Thus, “To Autumn” is not only a nature poem but also a meditation on life itself.
Q6. Explain the musical quality of “To Autumn.”
Answer:
“To Autumn” has a rich musical quality created through rhyme, rhythm, and sound imagery. The poem follows a regular rhyme scheme, which gives it harmony and balance.
The third stanza especially focuses on sound. Keats replaces the songs of spring with the music of autumn, such as the buzzing of gnats, bleating of lambs, chirping of crickets, and whistling of birds.
Alliteration and soft consonant sounds enhance the gentle tone of the poem. The slow rhythm matches the calm mood of autumn.
The musical quality adds to the beauty and emotional depth of the poem.
9. MCQs of the poem "To Autumn" by John Keats:
MCQs: “To Autumn” – John Keats
1. “To Autumn” is a type of:
A. Sonnet
B. Elegy
C. Ode
D. Ballad
✅ Correct Answer: C. Ode
2. Who is the poet of “To Autumn”?
A. William Wordsworth
B. P. B. Shelley
C. John Keats
D. Lord Byron
✅ Correct Answer: C. John Keats
3. How many stanzas are there in the poem “To Autumn”?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
✅ Correct Answer: B. Three
4. Each stanza of “To Autumn” consists of:
A. 10 lines
B. 11 lines
C. 12 lines
D. 14 lines
✅ Correct Answer: B. 11 lines
5. The central theme of “To Autumn” is:
A. Death and sorrow
B. Love and romance
C. Beauty and fulfillment of nature
D. War and heroism
✅ Correct Answer: C. Beauty and fulfillment of nature
6. Autumn is treated as a human being in the poem. This figure of speech is called:
A. Simile
B. Metaphor
C. Personification
D. Hyperbole
✅ Correct Answer: C. Personification
7. Which season’s songs are questioned in the last stanza?
A. Summer
B. Winter
C. Autumn
D. Spring
✅ Correct Answer: D. Spring
8. Which natural sound is NOT mentioned in the last stanza?
A. Gnats
B. Hedge-crickets
C. Nightingale
D. Swallows
✅ Correct Answer: C. Nightingale
9. The tone of the poem “To Autumn” is mainly:
A. Sad and tragic
B. Angry and violent
C. Calm and peaceful
D. Fearful and gloomy
✅ Correct Answer: C. Calm and peaceful
10. The poem “To Autumn” mainly celebrates:
A. The arrival of winter
B. The sadness of nature
C. The ripeness and completion of life
D. The rebirth of spring
10. Vocabulary of the difficult used in of the poem "To Autumn" by John Keats:
1. Mists
Meaning: Light fog in the air
Synonym: Fog, haze
Antonym: Clear air
Example: Morning mists cover the fields in autumn.
2. Mellow
Meaning: Soft, gentle, and pleasantly ripe
Synonym: Soft, mild
Antonym: Harsh
Example: The mellow sunlight made the evening calm.
3. Fruitfulness
Meaning: The quality of producing plenty
Synonym: Fertility, abundance
Antonym: Barrenness
Example: Autumn is a season of fruitfulness.
4. Conspiring
Meaning: Planning together
Synonym: Cooperating, plotting
Antonym: Opposing
Example: Autumn and the sun are conspiring to ripen fruits.
5. Thatched eaves
Meaning: Roof edges covered with straw
Synonym: Straw roof
Antonym: Concrete roof
Example: Vines grow around the thatched eaves of cottages.
6. Moss’d
Meaning: Covered with moss
Synonym: Green-covered
Antonym: Clean, bare
Example: The moss’d trees show their great age.
7. Gourd
Meaning: A large fruit like pumpkin
Synonym: Squash
Antonym: —
Example: Farmers grow gourds in autumn.
8. Kernel
Meaning: The edible seed inside a nut
Synonym: Seed
Antonym: Shell
Example: The nut has a sweet kernel inside.
9. O’er-brimm’d
Meaning: Completely filled
Synonym: Overflowing
Antonym: Empty
Example: The bees’ cells are o’er-brimm’d with honey.
10. Granary
Meaning: A storehouse for grain
Synonym: Storehouse
Antonym: —
Example: The farmer rests in the granary.
11. Winnowing
Meaning: Separating grain from husk using wind
Synonym: Threshing
Antonym: Mixing
Example: Winnowing is done after harvest.
12. Furrow
Meaning: A long narrow trench in a field
Synonym: Ploughed line
Antonym: Plain ground
Example: The farmer sleeps on a half-reaped furrow.
13. Gleaner
Meaning: A person who collects leftover crops
Synonym: Harvester
Antonym: —
Example: A gleaner gathers grain after harvest.
14. Stubble
Meaning: Short stalks left after crops are cut
Synonym: Crop remains
Antonym: Full crops
Example: Stubble fields glow in sunset light.
15. Sallows
Meaning: Willow trees near water
Synonym: Willows
Antonym: —
Example: Gnats hover near the river sallows.
16. Bourn
Meaning: A small stream
Synonym: Brook
Antonym: Desert
Example: Lambs bleat near the hilly bourn.
17. Treble
Meaning: High-pitched sound
Synonym: Shrill
Antonym: Low-pitched
Example: The bird sings in a treble voice.
18. Croft
Meaning: A small farm or garden
Synonym: Field
Antonym: City
Example: A robin whistles from the garden croft..
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