to autumn

Question 1

context

Answer 1

was about to die to tuberculosis, aged 25
romantic poet
parents died before he was 14

Question 2

quote 1

Answer 2

‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness!

Identification of the season of Autumn from the outset – transitionary season between Summer and Winter.Reference to ‘mists’ further reflects this transitionary state given that such vapour is neither solid nor liquid. Use of ‘fruitfulness’ is demonstrative of the abundance which accompanies Autumn. As although it will reach an eventual decline with Winter

Question 3

quote 2

Answer 3

‘Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun…’

Use of ‘close bosom friend’ provides a sense of familiarity and companionship, which is shared between Keats and autumn. Links back to context as he was romantical poet (personal experience) ‘maturing sun’ as a key part of the natural world – it is not exempt from the passing of time, much like the speaker is not exempt from their imminent death

Question 4

quote 5

Answer 4

*half-reap”d furrow sound asleep *

juxtaposition between images of work and images of rest symbolise personifying autumn as a worker who works themselves to exhaustion. reapd and sleep - gentle description of death.

Question 5

quote 6

Answer 5

‘Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours…’

Use of ‘oozing’ is slow and satisfactory which is indicative of the speaker observing the last moments of his life as it ebbs away incrementally and without force.

Question 6

quote 8

Answer 6

‘While barred clouds bloom the soft dying day’

Use of juxtaposition through the use of ‘barred’ with ‘bloom’ giving the impression of restriction alongside growth which is perhaps indicative of transition which may link to Keats’ own transition from life towards eventual death. Specific description of the ‘soft dying day’ presents death as somewhat gentle and perhaps something which people should not fear. Keats is finding the beauty in an otherwise difficult and challenging moment.

Question 7

overview

Answer 7

Keats uses To Autumn as a vehicle to elevate the beauty of nature in order to come to terms with his own imminent death from tuberculosis. This is accomplished through the poetic form of an ode, which is used to sing the praise of a given subject. In the case of ‘To Autumn’, this subject is the personified Autumn; an apt choice given Keats’ elevated view of nature as a Romantic poet.