'When the Frost is on the Punkin' by James Whitcomb Riley
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1When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock,
2And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,
3And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens,
4And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
5O, it's then's the times a feller is a-feelin' at his best,
6With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
7As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
8When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.
9They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere
10When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here --
11Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees,
12And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
13But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
14Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
15Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock --
16When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.
17The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
18And the raspin' of the tangled leaves, as golden as the morn;
19The stubble in the furries -- kindo' lonesome-like, but still
20A-preachin' sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill;
21The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
22The hosses in theyr stalls below -- the clover over-head! --
23O, it sets my hart a-clickin' like the tickin' of a clock,
24When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock!
25Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
26Is poured around the celler-floor in red and yeller heaps;
27And your cider-makin' 's over, and your wimmern-folks is through
28With their mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and saussage, too! ...
29I don't know how to tell it -- but ef sich a thing could be
30As the Angels wantin' boardin', and they'd call around on me --
31I'd want to 'commodate 'em -- all the whole-indurin' flock --
32When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock!
Editor 1 Interpretation
When the Frost is on the Punkin: A Literary Analysis
James Whitcomb Riley, an American poet, is renowned for his rustic and evocative descriptions of life in the American Midwest. One of his classic poems, "When the Frost is on the Punkin," captures the essence of autumn in rural America. This poem is a masterpiece of imagery and sensory description that immerses the reader in the sights, sounds, and smells of the season. In this literary analysis, I will explore the themes, structure, literary devices, and historical context of this remarkable poem.
Themes
The central theme of "When the Frost is on the Punkin" is the celebration of autumn in the countryside. The poem describes the beauty of the season and the activities that are associated with it, such as harvesting, hunting, and gathering. The poem also celebrates the simplicity and authenticity of rural life, which is free from the hustle and bustle of the city. Additionally, the poem suggests that the changing of the seasons is a reminder of the transience of life and the need to appreciate the present moment.
Structure
"When the Frost is on the Punkin" is a lyric poem that consists of three stanzas, each of which has eight lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four metrical feet, with each foot consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming with each other. The poem has a regular meter and rhyme scheme, which gives it a musical quality and makes it easy to read aloud.
Literary devices
Riley employs a variety of literary devices to create a vivid and evocative description of autumn in the countryside. He uses imagery, metaphor, and personification to bring the sights, sounds, and smells of the season to life. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the "frosty" air and the "smoky" haze that hangs over the fields. He also personifies the "katydids" and "crickets" that fill the night with their chirping and singing. This personification gives the poem a sense of liveliness and energy that is characteristic of autumn in the countryside.
Riley also uses metaphor to describe the colors and textures of the season. He compares the goldenrod to "butter" and the "pidey" pumpkins to "yeller harvest moon." These comparisons create a sense of warmth and coziness that is associated with autumn. Furthermore, the metaphor of the "yeller harvest moon" suggests that the harvest is a time of abundance and plenty.
Finally, Riley uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and to emphasize the central themes of the poem. For example, he repeats the phrase "when the frost is on the punkin" several times throughout the poem, which creates a sense of unity and coherence. This repetition also emphasizes the central theme of the poem, which is the celebration of autumn in the countryside.
Historical context
"When the Frost is on the Punkin" was written in 1883, at a time when the United States was undergoing significant social and economic changes. The country was transitioning from an agricultural economy to an industrial one, which led to a mass migration of people from rural areas to cities. Riley's poem can be seen as a nostalgic celebration of a way of life that was disappearing. The poem celebrates the simplicity and authenticity of rural life, which was being replaced by the fast-paced and impersonal life of the city.
Additionally, the poem reflects the Romanticism movement that was popular during the late 19th century. Romanticism emphasized the importance of nature, emotion, and individualism. Riley's poem celebrates the beauty of nature and the emotional connection that people have with the land. The poem also emphasizes the individuality of rural life, which is characterized by self-sufficiency and independence.
Conclusion
"When the Frost is on the Punkin" is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of autumn in the countryside. With its vivid imagery, musical language, and celebration of rural life, the poem transports the reader to a simpler and more authentic way of life. The poem also reflects the historical context in which it was written and the Romanticism movement that was popular at the time. Overall, "When the Frost is on the Punkin" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and delight readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When the Frost is on the Punkin: A Classic Poem by James Whitcomb Riley
As the leaves turn golden and the air turns crisp, we are reminded of the beauty of autumn. And what better way to celebrate this season than with a classic poem that captures the essence of fall? James Whitcomb Riley's "When the Frost is on the Punkin" is a timeless piece that has been enjoyed by generations of readers. In this article, we will take a closer look at this beloved poem and explore its themes, imagery, and language.
First published in 1883, "When the Frost is on the Punkin" is a celebration of the harvest season. The poem is written in dialect, which adds to its charm and authenticity. The speaker of the poem is a farmer who is describing the sights and sounds of autumn on his farm. He begins by painting a vivid picture of the countryside:
"When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock, And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock, And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens, And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;"
The imagery here is rich and evocative. We can almost feel the chill in the air and hear the sounds of the farm animals. The use of dialect also adds to the poem's authenticity, as it reflects the way people spoke in rural America in the late 19th century.
As the poem continues, the speaker describes the beauty of the autumn landscape:
"O, it's then's the times a feller is a-feelin' at his best, With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest, As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock, When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock."
Here, the speaker is expressing his love for the simple pleasures of farm life. He finds joy in the routine of feeding the animals and tending to the crops. The use of the word "feller" instead of "fellow" adds to the poem's rustic charm.
One of the most striking features of "When the Frost is on the Punkin" is its use of sensory imagery. The speaker describes the sights, sounds, and smells of autumn in great detail:
"And your cider-makin's over, and your wimmern-folks is through With their mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and sausage too!... I don't know how to tell it--but ef sich a thing could be As the Angels wantin' boardin', and they'd call around on me-- I'd want to 'commodate 'em--all the whole-indurin' flock-- When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock!"
Here, the speaker is describing the end of the harvest season, when the work is done and the farm is ready for winter. He mentions the traditional foods of autumn, such as cider, mince, and apple-butter. The use of the word "wimmern" instead of "women" adds to the poem's folksy charm.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant:
"They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here-- Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossoms on the trees, And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees; But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock-- When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock."
Here, the speaker is reflecting on the bittersweet nature of autumn. He acknowledges that he will miss the beauty of summer, but he also finds joy in the crispness of the fall air and the beauty of the autumn landscape. The use of the word "harty-like" instead of "hearty-like" adds to the poem's rustic charm.
In conclusion, "When the Frost is on the Punkin" is a classic poem that celebrates the beauty of autumn and the joys of farm life. The poem's use of dialect, sensory imagery, and rustic charm make it a timeless piece that continues to resonate with readers today. As we enjoy the sights and sounds of autumn, let us remember the words of James Whitcomb Riley and appreciate the simple pleasures of the harvest season.
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