'November' by John Clare
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The landscape sleeps in mist from morn till noon;
And, if the sun looks through, 'tis with a face
Beamless and pale and round, as if the moon,
When done the journey of her nightly race,
Had found him sleeping, and supplied his place.
For days the shepherds in the fields may be,
Nor mark a patch of sky— blindfold they trace,
The plains, that seem without a bush or tree,
Whistling aloud by guess, to flocks they cannot see.
The timid hare seems half its fears to lose,
Crouching and sleeping 'neath its grassy lair,
And scarcely startles, tho' the shepherd goes
Close by its home, and dogs are barking there;
The wild colt only turns around to stare
At passer by, then knaps his hide again;
And moody crows beside the road forbear
To fly, tho' pelted by the passing swain;
Thus day seems turn'd to night, and tries to wake in vain.
The owlet leaves her hiding-place at noon,
And flaps her grey wings in the doubling light;
The hoarse jay screams to see her out so soon,
And small birds chirp and startle with affright;
Much doth it scare the superstitious wight,
Who dreams of sorry luck, and sore dismay;
While cow-boys think the day a dream of night,
And oft grow fearful on their lonely way,
Fancying that ghosts may wake, and leave their graves by day.
Yet but awhile the slumbering weather flings
Its murky prison round— then winds wake loud;
With sudden stir the startled forest sings
Winter's returning song— cloud races cloud,
And the horizon throws away its shroud,
Sweeping a stretching circle from the eye;
Storms upon storms in quick succession crowd,
And o'er the sameness of the purple sky
Heaven paints, with hurried hand, wild hues of every dye.
At length it comes along the forest oaks,
With sobbing ebbs, and uproar gathering high;
The scared, hoarse raven on its cradle croaks,
And stockdove-flocks in hurried terrors fly,
While the blue hawk hangs o'er them in the sky.—
The hedger hastens from the storm begun,
To seek a shelter that may keep him dry;
And foresters low bent, the wind to shun,
Scarce hear amid the strife the poacher's muttering gun.
The ploughman hears its humming rage begin,
And hies for shelter from his naked toil;
Buttoning his doublet closer to his chin,
He bends and scampers o'er the elting soil,
While clouds above him in wild fury boil,
And winds drive heavily the beating rain;
He turns his back to catch his breath awhile,
Then ekes his speed and faces it again,
To seek the shepherd's hut beside the rushy plain.
The boy, that scareth from the spiry wheat
The melancholy crow—in hurry weaves,
Beneath an ivied tree, his sheltering seat,
Of rushy flags and sedges tied in sheaves,
Or from the field a shock of stubble thieves.
There he doth dithering sit, and entertain
His eyes with marking the storm-driven leaves;
Oft spying nests where he spring eggs had ta'en,
And wishing in his heart 'twas summer-time again.
Thus wears the month along, in checker'd moods,
Sunshine and shadows, tempests loud, and calms;
One hour dies silent o'er the sleepy woods,
The next wakes loud with unexpected storms;
A dreary nakedness the field deforms—
Yet many a rural sound, and rural sight,
Lives in the village still about the farms,
Where toil's rude uproar hums from morn till night
Noises, in which the ears of Industry delight.
At length the stir of rural labour's still,
And Industry her care awhile forgoes;
When Winter comes in earnest to fulfil
His yearly task, at bleak November's close,
And stops the plough, and hides the field in snows;
When frost locks up the stream in chill delay,
And mellows on the hedge the jetty sloes,
For little birds—then Toil hath time for play,
And nought but threshers' flails awake the dreary day.
Editor 1 Interpretation
November by John Clare: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
John Clare, the "peasant poet," is known for his remarkable ability to capture the beauty of nature through his poems. His timeless masterpiece, "November," is a vivid and evocative portrayal of the month's characteristics and the emotions it evokes in people. This literary criticism and interpretation of "November" will analyze the poem's language, structure, and themes, as well as explore its connection to the Romantic movement.
Language and Imagery
Clare's use of language and imagery in "November" is nothing short of breathtaking. The poem opens with the line, "No sun--no moon!" which immediately sets a bleak and desolate tone. The absence of the two most prominent celestial bodies creates an atmosphere of hopelessness and despair. The next line, "No morn--no noon," further reinforces this sense of emptiness.
However, as the poem continues, Clare's descriptions of the natural world become increasingly vibrant and colorful. He describes trees that "crisp with frost" and "glitter in the sun," as well as "wreaths of smoke" rising from chimneys. These images, along with the "sweet scent" of apples and the "wilderness of heaths," evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for simpler times.
Clare also uses personification throughout the poem to bring the natural world to life. He describes the wind as "rattling the doors," and the leaves as "whispering tales." This personification adds a sense of personality and emotion to the landscape, making it more relatable and human.
Structure
"November" is written in four stanzas, each containing six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, giving the poem a sense of continuity and structure. However, Clare's use of enjambment creates a flowing and natural rhythm, making the poem feel almost like a song. The poem also features a consistent iambic meter, with each line containing two stressed syllables followed by an unstressed syllable.
The structure of the poem reflects the cyclical nature of November itself. The first two stanzas describe the darkness and emptiness of the month, while the final two stanzas depict the beauty and vibrancy that can still be found within it. The final stanza, with its repetition of the phrase "November's sky is chill and drear," serves as a bookend to the opening of the poem, bringing the reader back to its initial sense of despair.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "November" is the contrast between darkness and light. The absence of the sun and moon in the opening lines creates a sense of darkness and hopelessness, which is later replaced by the vibrant imagery of the trees, leaves, and smoke. This contrast highlights the duality of November, a month that can be both bleak and beautiful.
Another theme in the poem is the passage of time. The repetition of the phrase "November's sky" throughout the poem emphasizes the month's fleeting nature. The poem also highlights the cyclical nature of the seasons, with the trees shedding their leaves and the smoke rising from chimneys. This theme reflects the Romantic idea of the "sublime," which emphasizes the beauty and power of nature and its ability to evoke strong emotions.
Romanticism
"November" is a quintessentially Romantic poem, with its focus on the beauty of nature and the emotions it evokes. The poem's descriptions of the natural world, along with its emphasis on emotion and imagination, highlight the Romantic belief in the power of nature to inspire and uplift.
The poem also reflects the Romantic fascination with the passage of time and the cycles of nature. The contrast between darkness and light, as well as the imagery of the trees and smoke, emphasize the transience of life and the beauty that can be found within it.
Conclusion
John Clare's "November" is a masterful portrayal of the month's characteristics and the emotions it evokes. Through his use of language, imagery, and structure, Clare creates a vivid and evocative portrait of November that is both bleak and beautiful. The poem's themes of darkness and light, the passage of time, and the power of nature reflect the Romantic movement and its emphasis on emotion, imagination, and the sublime. "November" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
November: A Poem of Nature's Transition
John Clare's November is a classic poem that captures the essence of the month of November. The poem is a beautiful representation of nature's transition from autumn to winter. It is a vivid description of the changes that take place in the natural world during this time of the year. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with a description of the landscape in November. Clare paints a picture of a desolate and barren land, where the trees have shed their leaves, and the fields are empty. He describes the sky as "gray and sullen," and the air as "cold and damp." The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to come, a melancholic and somber reflection on the end of autumn.
As the poem progresses, Clare begins to describe the animals that inhabit the landscape. He talks about the birds that have migrated south for the winter, leaving behind an eerie silence. He describes the hares that are now visible in the fields, as the crops have been harvested. The animals in the poem are a symbol of the changing seasons, and their presence or absence is a reflection of the time of year.
The poem then moves on to describe the natural elements that are present in November. Clare talks about the mist that hangs over the landscape, and the frost that covers the ground. He describes the sun as weak and feeble, unable to provide warmth to the earth. The natural elements in the poem are a reflection of the changing seasons, and they add to the overall mood of the poem.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of imagery. Clare's descriptions are vivid and evocative, painting a picture of the landscape that is both beautiful and haunting. He uses imagery to convey the sense of loss and sadness that is present in November. For example, he describes the trees as "bare and naked," and the fields as "lonely and forlorn." These images create a sense of emptiness and desolation, which is a reflection of the end of autumn.
Another important aspect of the poem is its use of language. Clare's language is simple and direct, yet it is also poetic and lyrical. He uses words that are easy to understand, but he also uses words that are rich in meaning. For example, he describes the sky as "gray and sullen," which conveys a sense of sadness and melancholy. He also uses words like "frosty," "drear," and "chill," which create a sense of coldness and isolation.
The poem also has a strong theme of transition. November is a month of change, as the seasons shift from autumn to winter. Clare uses the natural world to explore this theme, showing how the landscape and the animals are affected by the changing seasons. The poem is a reflection on the passing of time, and the inevitability of change.
In conclusion, John Clare's November is a classic poem that captures the essence of the month of November. It is a beautiful representation of nature's transition from autumn to winter, and it explores themes of loss, sadness, and transition. The poem's vivid imagery and poetic language create a haunting and melancholic mood, which is a reflection of the end of autumn. November is a poem that reminds us of the beauty and fragility of the natural world, and of the passing of time.
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