Figurative language
Identify the seasonal metaphor in stanza 1.
Aging and Passage of time.
Summer “slips” away like a person losing their grip (strength)
What is the overall tone of the poem?
Melancholy and nostalgic.
The speaker mourns the loss of “summer” and “warmth”.
Identify one visual image in the poem.
Will accept various answers :>
“Pillows of the yellow leaves” shows autumn’s beauty but also its transience.
What is the main theme of the poem?
The inevitability of change and the passage of time.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
The poem follows an ABAB rhyme scheme.
The personification used in stanza 3.
Wind
It “sits rustling” and makes “his cold and unsuccessful love,” as if trying to woo the trees.
How does the poet create a sense of melancholy?
Personification of the wind.
It “sits rustling” and makes “his cold and unsuccessful love,” as if trying to woo the trees.
What sense does the phrase “moans aloud” appeal to?
Auditory imagery
“moans aloud.” It gives the season an almost human-like suffering.
How does the poem explore the passage of time?
The poem tracks summer’s departure and autumn’s arrival, mirroring life’s transitions.
How does the poet use enjambment to affect the flow?
Enjambment keeps the lines flowing naturally, reflecting the passage of time.
Explain the metaphor of “poetry of Spring” in the last stanza.
Spring represents warmth, renewal, and joy. Illustrated by the speakers longing to escape autumn’s decay and “live” in the beauty of Spring.
Which words contribute most to the mood of “decay”?
Words like “withered,” “low,” “shrinking,” and “frost” evoke decay.
Explain the significance of the “withered world” in the last stanza.
The “withered world” symbolizes death, loss, and the fading of joy.
What does the poet suggest about human emotion and the seasons?
Human emotions reflect nature’s cycles—joy in summer, sorrow in autumn.
What effect does the shift in the last stanza have?
The last stanza introduces a shift in focus from observing decay to seeking comfort indoors.
How does the poet use contrast between May and autumn?
May is full of warmth and growth, while autumn is cold and fading. The wind, which was gentle in May, is now harsh.
Compare the tone of the first and last stanza.
The first stanza is wistful but warm, while the last is more hopeful. The speaker longs for an escape from autumn’s gloom.
How does the imagery of the robin and cricket represent change?
The robin represents youth and liveliness, while the cricket symbolizes the dullness of later life.
How does the final stanza contrast with the rest of the poem thematically?
The final stanza shifts to a desire for warmth and storytelling, contrasting the coldness of nature.
How does the poet use alliteration in stanza 5?
Multiple answers acceptedExample: “Catching our hearts up in his golden tune”—the repetition of ‘h’ sounds adds a musical quality.
Identify and analyze the use of symbolism in the description of the rose.
The rose removing its “tire of red” symbolizes the loss of beauty and vitality. The fading flowers represent the inevitable decay of life.
How does the shift from outdoor imagery to indoor imagery affect the overall mood of the poem?
The shift from outdoor imagery (decay and cold) to indoor imagery (warmth and storytelling) creates a contrast that reinforces the speaker’s longing for comfort and escape from the harshness of autumn.
Analyze the impact of the shrinking stream imagery.
The shrinking stream suggests that life and vitality are disappearing, just like warmth in autumn.
What does the poem imply about nature’s cycles and human experience?
Seasons represent the cycle of life, with autumn symbolizing aging and loss, while spring suggests rebirth.
Analyze the meter and rhythm of the poem.
The poem has a steady meter that enhances its melancholic and reflective tone.