To Autumn - John Keats Flashcards
“Budding more”
“To set budding more, and still more”
The many uses of present participles suggest the fruitful summer to be an on-going activity and overwhelming the number of flowers and bees. This is further reinforced by the repetition of ‘more’ as if the demand continues.
‘Clammy cells’
‘For Summer has o’ebrimmed their clammy cells”
Clammy describes moisture giving the unpleasant connotation that is accepted as natural. Clammy is feeling of sweatiness caused by the constant labour. The recurring sounds of ‘s’ ‘m’ ‘l’ suggest a gentle transition to autumn.
“Half-reap’d”
“Half reap’d furrow sound asleep”
The ripening of stanza 1 has neared completion and this stanza slows down with little movement. Autumn is personified as a reaper and harvester who is listless and sleepy. However, the imagery of the reaper suggests death is ready for Winter.
‘’Last oozings’’
‘’The last oozings hours by hours’’
End of the cycle is near. Slow dripping process with eventual end. 12 syllable line is the longest yet indicative of the slow pace of Autumn. Repetition of ‘hours’ shows the length of time and ‘last oozings’ show the final clinging moments.
‘Lives or dies’
‘’Sinking as the light wind lives or dies’’
Keats using juxtaposition mixing both the pleasant and unpleasant as they are inextricably one. The ‘light wind’ suggests that there is comfort as he comes to accept the inevitability of his death.
