Critical Paper

John Keats: Beauty Found in the Changes of Nature

“To Autumn,” a lyric ode written by John Keats personifies the season autumn making her appear a productive character through the use of imagery and diction. By personifying autumn as a beautiful girl, Keats characterizes the season as a time of productivity and abundance. Though few, each word in this poem serves to paint a vivid picture of autumn. Likewise, while autumn exists in a state of fleeting beauty, Keats uses the season’s changes to combine the themes of nature and death, thus providing a realistic and positive outlook on life and death.

When I was a little girl I got a puppy the summer after second grade. As a child you tend not to grasp the natural changes in life, so naturally I thought that Lady would always be a little puppy that I could I pull by the tail and carry to grandma's house every weekend. However, Lady soon grew into a beautiful honey colored chow and I was unable to carry her anymore. Tragically, the upcoming fall a car hit Lady as she was crossing the street. I remember the disappointment I

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One may think that Keats is upset that the season must change, but he is not. He remains totally realistic in his observation and his persona is concrete. While filled with the same excellent picture imagery as stanza I, this stanza has more calm peaceful images. Keats also calls attention to autumn in more physical action by using words like “winnowing”(15) and “oozing”(22).

Though Keats thoroughly develops his point in three short stanzas each one has a purpose. By using words like “fruitfulness”(1) and “mellow”(1) he gives her almost maternal characteristics. felt and for quite sometimes afterward I began to associate fall with death. The first was that change is a necessary part of life whether it is the changing of the seasons or the natural process of growth. Furthermore, he points out that change is not bad, but necessary and simply an unavoidable occurrence of life. Yet, in order to clearly visualize autumn in all her beauty one must pay close attention to the first stanza. He uses the personification of autumn to show the beauty found in nature through its changes and transitions. At this point he simply tries to look at the natural beauty of autumn and find her underlying purpose. Somewhat mystical, she and the sun that are “close-bosom friends” converse on how they will “load and bless with fruit the vines” (2-3).

Keats’ use of diction and imagery work together to develop his theme and prove his point.

Approximate Word count = 734
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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