Alliteration In John Keats's Ode To Autumn

In his lyrical ode to Autumn, Keats uses vivid images, poetic language, and descriptive metaphors to portray the visual beauty of the fall season, but I find that his words can also be interpreted as his description of the third season, or the later years, of life. On the surface, Keats is trying to convey his admiration of Autumn. He begins by illustrating an image of a misty Autumn day, and he uses alliteration by repeating the “m” sound in the first line to call attention to the mild nature of both the season and the poem. The first connection I notice between Autumn and old age is when Keats describes Autumn as a “close-bosom friend of the maturing sun.” I interpret the word “maturing” to signify aging. The poem then describes how the sun …show more content…
He says that Autumn itself can be found on the floor of a granary, because its work is finished after the harvest is complete. This scene can be compared to a person retiring. Similar to Autumn, once a person’s work is finished they can sit around “carelessly,” according to Keats. The poem takes a turn when it describes Autumn’s hair as, “soft-lifted by the winnowing wind.” I infer that Keats is describing Autumn as a woman now, with long, delicate hair blowing around in the fall wind. He uses assonance in repeating the “i” vowel, and alliteration in repeating the “w” sound to underline that Autumn is gentile and fragile, as opposed to energetic and youthful. Keats says that Autumn can sometimes be found sleeping in a field, “drowsed with the fume of poppies.” I believe Keats is suggesting that in old age, people are allowed to relax more, and enjoy more of life’s pleasures. Similar to how Autumn, intoxicated by the flowers, naps in a field, elderly people are allowed to indulge and unwind after years of hard work. Keats continues with a simile comparing the way Autumn keeps her head down to a harvester keeping her head down to search for grain. Finally, Keats describes how Autumn can also be found watching cider being made, enjoying the “last oozings” of the process. I think Keats is showing how life slows down in the later years, using cider-making as a metaphor for …show more content…
He believes that although Spring may be celebrated with songs and fanfare, Autumn has her own music. I believe Keats is saying that while many people believe that youth is the time for energy and happiness, later adulthood has its own pleasures and moments. He goes on to describe the unique song of Autumn in vibrant detail. Using imagery, assonance, and alliteration again, Keats continues, “While barred clouds bloom the soft dying day.” He repeats the “o” vowel sound and the “b” consonant to show that Autumn is clearly singing her own song. Keats does point out that although Autumn is full of life and lively song, the day, the poem, the season, and life all must come to an end. In a literal sense, Autumn turns into Winter, a season which is symbolic of death. I can hear the song of Autumn for myself when Keats uses words like “wailful”, “mourn”, “aloft”, “sinking,” and “bleat” to describe the season’s spontaneous, unscripted melody. As he concludes the stanza and the poem with more animal sounds, the song of Autumn becomes more complete before its rather abrupt ending at the conclusion of the poem. I believe Keats is trying to show that death can come at any unexpected moment. Just as the poem ended, which left me wanting more, life may end suddenly before all of its pleasures are