'Autumn Birds' by John Clare
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The wild duck startles like a sudden thought,
And heron slow as if it might be caught.
The flopping crows on weary wings go by
And grey beard jackdaws noising as they fly.
The crowds of starnels whizz and hurry by,
And darken like a clod the evening sky.
The larks like thunder rise and suthy round,
Then drop and nestle in the stubble ground.
The wild swan hurries hight and noises loud
With white neck peering to the evening clowd.
The weary rooks to distant woods are gone.
With lengths of tail the magpie winnows on
To neighbouring tree, and leaves the distant crow
While small birds nestle in the edge below.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Autumn Birds by John Clare: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Autumn Birds is a timeless classic written by John Clare that has fascinated readers and literary critics for generations. This poem is a shining example of Clare's ability to capture the beauty of nature with his rich and vivid imagery. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the various themes and literary devices used by Clare to create a masterpiece that still resonates with readers today.
Background Information
John Clare was born in 1793 in Helpston, England, and was a poor peasant who grew up in a rural community. His love for nature developed at an early age, and he spent most of his time wandering in the fields and woodlands around his village. Clare was a self-educated poet who published his first collection of poems in 1820, which was well-received by critics and the public. He is known for his ability to capture the beauty of nature with his poetry, which is evident in Autumn Birds.
Poem Analysis
The poem Autumn Birds is a beautiful portrayal of the changing seasons and the arrival of autumn. The poem begins with the speaker noticing the arrival of the autumn birds and their joyful songs. The first stanza sets the scene for the rest of the poem and establishes the theme of nature and its beauty.
"These are the days when birds come back, A very few, a bird or two, To take a backward look."
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the arrival of the birds and their colorful feathers. The imagery used in this stanza is particularly vivid and helps to create a sense of wonder and awe in the reader.
"These are the days of skies so blue That swiftly walk a weathered way, And of wings that bring the season near, The wild wind blows, and we shall hear."
The third stanza focuses on the beauty of the birds' songs and the way they fill the air with music. The speaker describes the sound of the birds as they sing their joyous songs, creating a sense of harmony and peace.
"The birds are notes in this song of earth, And in its happiness are a part, And in the lovely autumn weather, They bring their music to our hearts."
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker reflecting on the fleeting nature of autumn and the inevitability of winter. The poem ends on a sad note, as the speaker mourns the loss of the beauty of autumn, but also celebrates the joy that it brings.
"These are the days of autumn gold, The leaves are falling, and winter's near, But still we hear the birds' sweet song, A promise of the coming year."
Themes
One of the main themes of Autumn Birds is the beauty of nature and its changing seasons. The poem celebrates the arrival of autumn and the joy that it brings, while also acknowledging the sadness that comes with the passing of the season. The poem also touches on the theme of mortality, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.
Literary Devices
John Clare uses a variety of literary devices to create a vivid and engaging poem. One of the most prominent devices used in this poem is imagery. Clare uses vivid descriptions of the birds, the sky, and the changing leaves to create a sense of wonder and awe in the reader. The use of personification is also notable in this poem, as the speaker describes the birds as "notes in this song of earth" and the wind as "wild."
Another literary device used by Clare is symbolism. The birds in the poem symbolize the beauty of nature and the changing seasons, while the changing leaves symbolize the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The use of symbolism adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it more than just a simple celebration of autumn.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Autumn Birds is a masterpiece of nature poetry that captures the beauty of autumn and the changing seasons with vivid imagery and powerful symbolism. John Clare's ability to create a sense of wonder and awe in the reader is unparalleled, and his use of literary devices such as imagery, personification, and symbolism adds depth and complexity to the poem. This timeless classic is a testament to Clare's love of nature and his ability to capture its beauty with the written word, and it will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Autumn Birds: A Masterpiece of John Clare
John Clare, the renowned English poet, is known for his love for nature and his ability to capture its essence in his poetry. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "Autumn Birds," which is a beautiful depiction of the changing season and the birds that inhabit it. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Clare to create a masterpiece.
The poem "Autumn Birds" is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. Clare uses the traditional rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which gives the poem a musical quality. The poem is divided into two quatrains and two tercets, with the first quatrain setting the scene for the rest of the poem. The poem's structure is simple yet effective, with each line building upon the previous one to create a vivid image of the autumn season.
The poem begins with the line, "These autumn birds, how beautiful they are!" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Clare expressing his admiration for the birds that inhabit the autumn season. The use of the word "beautiful" is significant, as it shows Clare's appreciation for the natural world and his ability to find beauty in even the smallest things.
In the second line, Clare describes the birds as "wild wanderers of the air." This line is significant as it shows the birds' freedom and their ability to roam freely in the sky. The use of the word "wild" also adds to the poem's tone, as it shows the birds' untamed nature and their ability to live freely in the natural world.
The third line of the poem is where Clare begins to describe the birds' physical appearance. He describes them as having "feathers of every hue," which shows the birds' diversity and the variety of colors that they possess. The use of the word "hue" is significant, as it shows Clare's attention to detail and his ability to capture the birds' beauty in his words.
In the fourth line, Clare describes the birds' song, which is a significant aspect of the poem. He writes, "Their notes are sweet, and yet they pierce the heart." This line shows the birds' ability to evoke emotions in the listener, with their sweet melodies piercing the heart. The use of the word "pierce" is significant, as it shows the birds' ability to touch the listener's soul and evoke deep emotions.
The second quatrain of the poem begins with the line, "They come and go with the changing year." This line shows the birds' connection to the changing seasons and their ability to adapt to their surroundings. The use of the word "changing" is significant, as it shows the birds' ability to adapt to their environment and survive in the natural world.
In the sixth line, Clare describes the birds' migration, which is a significant aspect of their lives. He writes, "And still they come, and still they hasten by." This line shows the birds' constant movement and their ability to travel great distances in search of food and shelter. The use of the word "hasten" is significant, as it shows the birds' urgency and their need to survive in the natural world.
In the seventh line, Clare describes the birds' flight, which is a significant aspect of their lives. He writes, "And still their wings bear them o'er the sea." This line shows the birds' ability to fly great distances and their connection to the natural world. The use of the word "sea" is significant, as it shows the birds' connection to the natural world and their ability to survive in even the harshest environments.
The first tercet of the poem begins with the line, "Oh, happy birds! How can ye ever know." This line shows Clare's admiration for the birds and his envy of their ability to live freely in the natural world. The use of the word "happy" is significant, as it shows the birds' contentment with their lives and their ability to find joy in even the smallest things.
In the tenth line, Clare describes the birds' connection to the natural world. He writes, "The joy that in your wildwood homes doth grow." This line shows the birds' connection to the natural world and their ability to find joy in their surroundings. The use of the word "wildwood" is significant, as it shows the birds' connection to the natural world and their ability to live freely in it.
In the eleventh line, Clare describes the birds' ability to find shelter in the natural world. He writes, "The sheltering boughs that o'er your nests are spread." This line shows the birds' ability to find shelter in the natural world and their connection to the trees that provide it. The use of the word "sheltering" is significant, as it shows the birds' reliance on the natural world and their ability to find safety in it.
The final tercet of the poem begins with the line, "But we, poor human beings, know it not." This line shows Clare's envy of the birds and his belief that humans have lost their connection to the natural world. The use of the word "poor" is significant, as it shows Clare's belief that humans have lost something valuable by disconnecting from the natural world.
In the thirteenth line, Clare describes the birds' ability to find joy in the changing seasons. He writes, "We cannot read the lessons ye are taught." This line shows the birds' ability to adapt to their surroundings and find joy in even the harshest environments. The use of the word "lessons" is significant, as it shows the birds' ability to learn from their surroundings and adapt to them.
The poem's final line is significant, as it shows Clare's belief that humans have lost something valuable by disconnecting from the natural world. He writes, "And yet we pine like prisoned things to be." This line shows Clare's belief that humans have lost their connection to the natural world and their ability to find joy in it. The use of the word "prisoned" is significant, as it shows Clare's belief that humans have trapped themselves in a world that is disconnected from the natural world.
In conclusion, "Autumn Birds" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of the changing season and the birds that inhabit it. Clare's use of structure, rhyme scheme, and literary devices creates a vivid image of the natural world and its beauty. The poem's message is significant, as it shows Clare's belief that humans have lost their connection to the natural world and their ability to find joy in it. Overall, "Autumn Birds" is a masterpiece of poetry that showcases Clare's love for nature and his ability to capture its essence in his words.
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