Keats, John. "To Autumn."

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Bryan Vaz

Commentary on “To Autumn”

25/09/04

IB English HL2

An End to Ends

“To Autumn” is one of the most famous, and perfect odes written by John Keats, and any modern writer. It is quite fitting that his greatest piece was the last one that he ever wrote before he met with his unfortunate end. However, this ode has some significant differences to the other odes that he has written. Firstly, there is no flight from reality, or deviation into imagination or dream, in fact there is no narrative voice at all. Secondly, it has an unprecedented emphasis and commemoration of change and progress, not only through autumn, but through all mortal events. While the title implies a progression through autumn, the ode also has references to an aging day, and even personal maturity.

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The first stanza is brimming with specific vivid visual imagery.  The first which relates to the change in the season and day is the “maturing sun.” This sun makes the fruit ripen and cause the burst of ripe food for harvesting. He then goes on to describe the outburst of ripening fruit to an excruciating intensity. The apples are so plentiful that the trees bend with their weight. Then the gourds “swell,” and the hazel nuts are “plump.” The ongoing imagery, in addition to the words “And still more,” implies an outburst of fertility to dangerous proportions, and there is ...

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