ODE TO AUTUMN by JOHN KEATS# BSEB ENGLISH# CRASH COURSE MATERIAL# BOARD EXAM FOR ENGLISH OF CLASS-XII RAINBOW PART-II

CRASH COURSE-2022

CLASS- XII SUBJECT : ENGLISH ( POETRY SECTION)

LESSON: 04. ODE TO AUTUMN by JOHN KEATS

SUMMARY:

The lyric poem- “ Ode TO Autumn” is composed by John Keats, one of

the greatest of English Romantic poets. Here Keats describes the rare

beauty and specific spirit of autumn in a series of memorable pictures,

presenting the principle of beauty in nature. Not only beauty but here he

celebrates the bountiful beauty of the fall. The poem presents the

autumn season to be a rich abundance of life. With the help of the

maturing sun, autumn finds trees overloaded with fruit, beehives dripping

with honey, and thick vines trailing up the sides of farmhouses.

This poem is not only an ode to a lovely, life-filled period of year that is

often succeeded by spring and summer but it also sings the deep

philosophical sense of maturity inviting death. This does not tarnish the

loveliness of autumn, however, and instead suggests that maturing

beauty leads to our necessary end.

The personified autumn season focuses on the harvest,describing the “

winnowing wind”, the “ half-reape’d furrow”, and the harvester’s “ hook”.

These images refer to the separation and cutting attached with farming

and they also evoke death.

The poem ultimately suggests death as a short peaceful rest at the end

of frenzied activity. Finally the swallows gather and sing against the

emptiness of the darkening sky, which will soon bring the harsh weather

e.g. death. Hence, the poem is unique in its approach and style as well.

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS:

1. When and where was Keats born?

Ans.: He was born at Moonfields in London in 1795.

2. Which Mythology was read by Keats?

Ans.: Greek Mythology

3. What was translated by John Keats?Ans.: Virgil’s Aeneid

4. How was Keat’s ambition to become a poet fired?

Ans.: After his first acquaintance with Spenser’s “ Faerie Queene”.

5. What was the title of Keats’ first poem and when was it

published?

Ans.: Lines in Imitation of Spenser, in 1814.

6. What was the title of his first volume of poetry and when was it

published?

Ans.: Poems, published in 1817.

7. Which poem of John Keats was appreciated by Wordsworth?

Ans.: Endymion, published in 1818.

8. Keats belongs to which age?

Ans.: Romantic Age

9. When did Keats die?

Ans.: He died in 1821 at the age of 26 years only.

10. Who quoted “ A thing of beauty is a joy for ever” and “

Beauty is truth, truth beauty.” ?

Ans.: by John Keats

11. Which is the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness?

Ans.: Autumn

12. Who fills all fruits with ripeness?

Ans.: Autumn

13. Who sits carelessly on a granary floor?

Ans.: Autumn

14. Who are depicted as friends in the first two lines?

Ans.: Autumn and the Sun

Subjective Questions:

1. What is the central idea of the poem ‘ Ode to Autumn’?

Ans.: The poem is unique in its aim of singing the praise of the

season which is often ignored and that is Autumn. Many poets are

seen praising the Spring season but here we find John Keats

admiring the season which is often known as harsh season. But

here we come to know that this is the season which plans to load

and bless trees with fruits and flowers with the maturing sun. Here

the poet highlights the features and gifts of the season and

presents many beautiful images gifted by it to us. The poet talks of the melody of the season which is more mesmerising than that of

the Spring Season.

2. What do autumn and spring symbolise in the poem? Explain.

Ans.: Spring symbolises new birth and childhood and Autumn

symbolises adulthood and maturity. Spring presents the tender

beauty of Nature where we come across the beautiful sight of

newborn plants and newly growing leaves and buds but Autumn is

the season of maturity and ripeness and it loads fruits with sweet

kernels for more and more budding in summer. It fills the flowers

with nectar for the bees to form honey.

Prepared by: Rajneesh Kumar Mishra

For queries contact Rajneesh Mishra