To Autumn Flashcards
TIme, Nature
“Load and Bless with fruit”
The Autumn and the Sun “bless” humanity with harvest, keeping them alive, like a deity. “Load” shows the volume of their blessing.
“To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees.”
The apples grown by autumn are so big and juicy that the tree’s branches “bend” under their excessive weight.
“o’erbrimm’d their clammy cells”
Keats again emphasises Autumn’s blessing by illustrating that the volume of honey that the bees have made have “o’ebrimmed” the cells they are kept in, showing the bounty of Autumn.
Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Keats addresses Autumn directly, illustrating that it is hardworking, never seen outside of its “store”, doing its duties. This may suggest that Keats believes that Autumn should rest, after doing a lot of hard work.
“watchest the last oozings hours by hours.”
Autumn makes sure to finish the job completely, even watching the “last oozings”, making sure it is finished, showing its dedication.
“wailful choir the small gnats mourn.”
The gnats are sad for autumn’s passing, like a funeral, with a choir and mourning.
“red-breast whistles”
A robin, a bird that represents winter. Autumn is ending, winter approaches to fill its place.
Context
Romantic poet in the 19th century.
Died of TB at 25 - This poem was his last input on the world.
His brother also died of TB.
Didn’t see the natural world much, as he lived in London.
Harvest was much more important - food couldn’t be imported.
