"Autumn" by John Clare: A line-by-line explanation, summary and analysis

 "Autumn" by John Clare:

A line-by-line explanation, summary and analysis

 

Title Significance:

The title "Autumn" signifies that the poem focuses on the season of autumn. It suggests an exploration of the speaker's feelings and observations during this particular time of the year.

 

Important Phrases:

1. "The fitful gust that shakes / The casement all day": The speaker expresses affection for the irregular and gusty winds that shake the window throughout the day, setting the autumnal atmosphere.

 

2. "Dance till the shut of eve / The sparrow on the cottage rig": The imagery of a twig dancing with a sparrow on a cottage roof signifies the lively and vibrant scenes of nature during autumn.

 

3. "The pigeons nestled round the cote / On dull November days like these": The pigeons seeking shelter and warmth in a cote (a small shelter for birds) on dull November days adds to the depiction of the season's character.

 

4. "The cock upon the dung-hill crowing, / The mill sails on the heath a-going": These images evoke a rural setting, with the crowing of a cock and the turning of mill sails, contributing to the sensory experience of autumn.

 

5. "The feather from the raven's breast / Falls on the stubble lea": The falling feather from a raven's breast and acorns dropping from a tree emphasize the natural elements and changes occurring during autumn.

 

6. "The grunting pigs, that wait for all, / Scramble and hurry where they fall": This phrase captures the feeding behavior of pigs, emphasizing their eagerness as they scramble for fallen acorns or other food sources.

 

Summary and Analysis:

"Autumn" by John Clare portrays the speaker's deep appreciation for the various sights and sounds of the autumn season. Divided into three stanzas, the poem captures the sensory experiences and natural scenes that define autumn in a rural setting.

 

In the first stanza, the speaker expresses love for the gusty winds that shake the window and carry away faded leaves from an elm tree. The imagery of leaves twirling down the lane adds to the sense of movement and change associated with the season.

 

The second stanza continues the exploration of autumn's charm, highlighting the dancing twig, the chirping sparrow, and the belief that spring is still present in the midst of summer. These images convey the dynamic and transitional nature of autumn.

 

The final stanza paints a rural scene with pigeons seeking shelter, a crowing cock on a dung-hill, and the falling feathers and acorns. The grunting pigs scrambling for fallen food add a touch of lively activity, emphasizing the natural cycles of autumn.

 

Overall, the poem celebrates the beauty and richness of autumn through vivid imagery, sensory details, and the speaker's personal affection for the season.

 

Line-by-Line Explanation:

1. "I love the fitful gust that shakes / The casement all day": The speaker expresses affection for the irregular and gusty winds that shake the window throughout the day, creating a dynamic and lively atmosphere.

 

2. "And from the mossy elm-tree takes / The faded leaves away, Twirling them by the window pane / With thousand others down the lane": The image of leaves being taken away by the wind and twirling down the lane illustrates the changing landscape of autumn.

 

3. "I love to see the shaking twig / Dance till the shut of eve": The speaker appreciates the lively scene of a twig dancing until evening, emphasizing the dynamic and active nature of autumn.

 

4. "The sparrow on the cottage rig, / Whose chirp would make believe / That spring was just now flirting by / In summer's lap with flowers to lie": The imagery of a sparrow's chirp creating the illusion of spring flirting with summer adds a touch of nostalgia and the blending of seasons.

 

5. "I love to see the cottage smoke / Curl upwards through the naked trees": The rising cottage smoke through bare trees adds to the rural atmosphere and contributes to the overall sensory experience of autumn.

 

6. "The pigeons nestled round the cote / On dull November days like these; / The cock upon the dung-hill crowing, / The mill sails on the heath a-going": These lines paint a vivid picture of rural life during autumn, with pigeons seeking shelter, a crowing cock, and the turning mill sails.

 

7. "The feather from the raven's breast / Falls on the stubble lea": The falling feather from a raven's breast emphasizes the presence of birds in the autumn landscape, contributing to the natural imagery.

 

8. "The acorns near the old crow's nest / Fall pattering down the tree; / The grunting pigs, that wait for all, / Scramble and hurry where they fall": These lines depict the falling acorns near a crow's nest and the eager activity of pigs, portraying the abundance and liveliness of the season.