Explore John Keats’ treatment of nature in ‘To Autumn’ and one
other poem
Keats explores the concept of nature effectively through both ‘To Autumn’ and ‘Ode to a Nightingale’. The
overarching theme Keats expresses through his treatment of nature is acceptance. In ‘To Autumn’, Keats
uses language structure and form, with key techniques such as juxtaposition, agrarian imagery and
anthropomorphic comparison, to present how Autumns beauty is found in its role as a time for nature and
life to progress and move ever forwards even without intensity- in this way Keats’ idea around life and
mortality are also presented through nature, as he at this time was battling with tuberculous and near the end
of his life- physically in the same stage as Autumn as a time of acceptance and transition towards death. The
idea of acceptance is also the key them within ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ however this is explored differently
and is based around the acceptance of uncertainty and confusion as part of life and humanity, Keats’ uses the
natural beauty of the nightingale’s song and the mixture of emotions it provokes to express his idea of
negative capability, that one should strive to live in state of confusions, mystery and uncertainty and not
search for a complete endpoint of truth and reason. In this way both poems share a key overarching theme
and express Keats’ idea and beliefs through the way nature is treated but they approach these themes in
different ways and do not necessarily seek not reach the same ultimate conclusions.
Keats uses nature imagery within ‘To Autumn’ to present the idea of continuity and a predictability to the
course of life, as all that is certain in life, is that one will be born, grow older and then eventually die. This
idea is aptly emphasised by the progression of Keats’ treatment of nature through the poem. Within the first
stanza, there is a clear presentation of fertility reflected through the treatment of nature as Keats presents the
idea of “fruit with ripeness”, that is “plump” and “budding more” on “warm days” that are believed to
“never cease.” Through this Romantic focus on agrarian beauty there an idea of youth, fertility and growth
presented as if the world is young and full of life at this time. However, Keats; presents a shift within the
second stanza to a sense of apathy and mellowness as nature and Autumn itself is now more “careless” “with
patient look” as it watches “last oozings hours by hours.” In this way, Keats uses language to
anthropomorphically present Autumn with its hair “soft-lifted” and still its abundance and beauty within
nature with its “twined flowers”. However, Keats uses nature to present a progression within this stanza, as
life progresses on, apathy does too. This is done through a treatment of nature to reflect the idea of human
life moving forwards and how the intensity of youth and all its “fruitfulness” is destined to be contrasted
with the mellowness and “patient look” that ageing brings. The phrase “oozing hours by hours” effectively
furthers this idea as the onomatopoetic word “oozing” presents slowness as life is almost trickling forwards
leisurely, however the phrase “hours by hours” with the repetition presents a quick succession of events, this
is happening every hour continually. This is to reflect how Keats believes this stage of life -which is also
seen within this stage of Autumn in nature- mellowness and apathy may be growing with age but it is still
moving ever forwards and never stopping. Much like, although the season of autumn itself may feel like a
slow mellow season lacking the intensity of summer or winter it still has its importance as a stage in
progression and growth, reflecting Keats’ belief that even these not intense moments where one believes
life is just “oozing” onwards is still a part of life and human experience, thus it is still important and
deserving of regard.
Keats’ use of language progresses further in the final stanza reaching a point of acceptance.
Keats explores a finality within nature and the season of autumn, unlike the season of summer, Autumn’s
beauty is not in its intensity, with its constant ripeness and bursting with life, nor is it in the lack of life and
movement like the season of winter, but rather the beauty of autumn is found in its importance as a time of
progression and ultimate completion, its beauty is found in its “soft-drying day”, its “light wind.” Keats here
is expressing autumn is not an intense season with obvious beauty but it is still part of life and experience
and therefore cannot be ignored and disregarded. He uses nature imagery and language to show how autumn
reflects the time in life after youth’s intensity has faded but before death’s intensity has taken over. The idea
of acceptance and a mellowness within life is not as heavy and profound as grappling with the extreme ideas
of mortality, pleasure, and death but it’s still as much a part of life as anything else. This idea can be linked
to the timing of this poem as the final poem within his ‘1819 Odes’, as he was suffering from tuberculous at
this time, this poem ultimately marks the ending of his poetic career and the beginning of the end of his life.
The idea of acceptance and lack of intensity is very different to his exploration of nature and other themes
within his other Odes, which tend to focus on the beauty but also limitations of intense aspects of life
other poem
Keats explores the concept of nature effectively through both ‘To Autumn’ and ‘Ode to a Nightingale’. The
overarching theme Keats expresses through his treatment of nature is acceptance. In ‘To Autumn’, Keats
uses language structure and form, with key techniques such as juxtaposition, agrarian imagery and
anthropomorphic comparison, to present how Autumns beauty is found in its role as a time for nature and
life to progress and move ever forwards even without intensity- in this way Keats’ idea around life and
mortality are also presented through nature, as he at this time was battling with tuberculous and near the end
of his life- physically in the same stage as Autumn as a time of acceptance and transition towards death. The
idea of acceptance is also the key them within ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ however this is explored differently
and is based around the acceptance of uncertainty and confusion as part of life and humanity, Keats’ uses the
natural beauty of the nightingale’s song and the mixture of emotions it provokes to express his idea of
negative capability, that one should strive to live in state of confusions, mystery and uncertainty and not
search for a complete endpoint of truth and reason. In this way both poems share a key overarching theme
and express Keats’ idea and beliefs through the way nature is treated but they approach these themes in
different ways and do not necessarily seek not reach the same ultimate conclusions.
Keats uses nature imagery within ‘To Autumn’ to present the idea of continuity and a predictability to the
course of life, as all that is certain in life, is that one will be born, grow older and then eventually die. This
idea is aptly emphasised by the progression of Keats’ treatment of nature through the poem. Within the first
stanza, there is a clear presentation of fertility reflected through the treatment of nature as Keats presents the
idea of “fruit with ripeness”, that is “plump” and “budding more” on “warm days” that are believed to
“never cease.” Through this Romantic focus on agrarian beauty there an idea of youth, fertility and growth
presented as if the world is young and full of life at this time. However, Keats; presents a shift within the
second stanza to a sense of apathy and mellowness as nature and Autumn itself is now more “careless” “with
patient look” as it watches “last oozings hours by hours.” In this way, Keats uses language to
anthropomorphically present Autumn with its hair “soft-lifted” and still its abundance and beauty within
nature with its “twined flowers”. However, Keats uses nature to present a progression within this stanza, as
life progresses on, apathy does too. This is done through a treatment of nature to reflect the idea of human
life moving forwards and how the intensity of youth and all its “fruitfulness” is destined to be contrasted
with the mellowness and “patient look” that ageing brings. The phrase “oozing hours by hours” effectively
furthers this idea as the onomatopoetic word “oozing” presents slowness as life is almost trickling forwards
leisurely, however the phrase “hours by hours” with the repetition presents a quick succession of events, this
is happening every hour continually. This is to reflect how Keats believes this stage of life -which is also
seen within this stage of Autumn in nature- mellowness and apathy may be growing with age but it is still
moving ever forwards and never stopping. Much like, although the season of autumn itself may feel like a
slow mellow season lacking the intensity of summer or winter it still has its importance as a stage in
progression and growth, reflecting Keats’ belief that even these not intense moments where one believes
life is just “oozing” onwards is still a part of life and human experience, thus it is still important and
deserving of regard.
Keats’ use of language progresses further in the final stanza reaching a point of acceptance.
Keats explores a finality within nature and the season of autumn, unlike the season of summer, Autumn’s
beauty is not in its intensity, with its constant ripeness and bursting with life, nor is it in the lack of life and
movement like the season of winter, but rather the beauty of autumn is found in its importance as a time of
progression and ultimate completion, its beauty is found in its “soft-drying day”, its “light wind.” Keats here
is expressing autumn is not an intense season with obvious beauty but it is still part of life and experience
and therefore cannot be ignored and disregarded. He uses nature imagery and language to show how autumn
reflects the time in life after youth’s intensity has faded but before death’s intensity has taken over. The idea
of acceptance and a mellowness within life is not as heavy and profound as grappling with the extreme ideas
of mortality, pleasure, and death but it’s still as much a part of life as anything else. This idea can be linked
to the timing of this poem as the final poem within his ‘1819 Odes’, as he was suffering from tuberculous at
this time, this poem ultimately marks the ending of his poetic career and the beginning of the end of his life.
The idea of acceptance and lack of intensity is very different to his exploration of nature and other themes
within his other Odes, which tend to focus on the beauty but also limitations of intense aspects of life
