'Merry Autumn' by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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Oak and Ivy1893It's all a farce,-these tales they tellAbout the breezes sighing,And moans astir o'er field and dell,Because the year is dying.Such principles are most absurd,-I care not who first taught 'em;There's nothing known to beast or birdTo make a solemn autumn.In solemn times, when grief holds swayWith countenance distressing,You'll note the more of black and grayWill then be used in dressing.Now purple tints are all around;The sky is blue and mellow;And e'en the grasses turn the groundFrom modest green to yellow.The seed burs all with laughter crackOn featherweed and jimson;And leaves that should be dressed in blackAre all decked out in crimson.A butterfly goes winging by;A singing bird comes after;And Nature, all from earth to sky,Is bubbling o'er with laughter.The ripples wimple on the rills,Like sparkling little lasses;The sunlight runs along the hills,And laughs among the grasses.The earth is just so full of funIt really can't contain it;And streams of mirth so freely runThe heavens seem to rain it.Don't talk to me of solemn daysIn autumn's time of splendor,Because the sun shows fewer rays,And these grow slant and slender.Why, it's the climax of the year,-The highest time of living!-Till naturally its bursting cheerJust melts into thanksgiving.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Merry Autumn by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were in the presence of autumn? A poem that paints a vivid picture of the changing colors of leaves and the crispness of the air? That's what Merry Autumn by Paul Laurence Dunbar does.

Dunbar was an African American poet who wrote in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work often dealt with the struggles and joys of being black in America during that time period. But in Merry Autumn, Dunbar focuses on the beauty of nature and the changing of the seasons.

The Structure of the Poem

Merry Autumn is a sonnet, a type of poem that has fourteen lines and a specific rhyme scheme. Dunbar uses the traditional Shakespearean rhyme scheme, which goes: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. In each of the three quatrains (sets of four lines), Dunbar describes a different aspect of autumn. In the final couplet, he offers a reflection on what autumn means to him.

The Language of the Poem

Dunbar's language in Merry Autumn is simple yet powerful. He uses a lot of imagery to convey the beauty of the season. For example, in the first quatrain, he writes:

"The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town."

These lines create a sense of coziness and comfort that comes with autumn. The word "meeker" suggests a gentleness that contrasts with the harshness of summer. The "plumper" cheek of the berry and the absence of the rose convey the sense of abundance and loss that accompanies the changing of the seasons.

In the second quatrain, Dunbar describes the colors of autumn:

"The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on."

Here, we see the vibrant colors of autumn. The "gayer scarf" and "scarlet gown" create an image of warmth and festivity. The final line, "I'll put a trinket on," suggests that Dunbar is joining in the celebration of the season.

Finally, in the third quatrain, Dunbar describes the sounds of autumn:

"The swallowtail is trimming
His whiskers in the wood,
The lanes with grapes are fringing,
The air's a cobwebbed brood."

These lines capture the whimsy and playfulness of autumn. The image of the swallowtail butterfly "trimming his whiskers" is charming, and the "cobwebbed brood" creates a sense of mystery and magic.

The Meaning of the Poem

So, what does Dunbar mean by "Merry Autumn"? In the final couplet, he writes:

"When gaudy woods are stained with hues,
And heaps of russet leaves are dry,
Old earth, the mother, spins her blues
And veils her with a changeful dye."

Here, Dunbar suggests that autumn is a time of transformation and renewal. The "gaudy woods" and "russet leaves" show that nature is putting on a show, but the "changeful dye" suggests that there is more to the season than just surface-level beauty.

Ultimately, Dunbar seems to be saying that autumn is a time to embrace change and to find joy in the cycles of life. The poem is a celebration of the season and a reminder that even as things die, there is always new life waiting to be born.

Conclusion

Merry Autumn is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of the season. Dunbar's language is simple yet evocative, and his imagery creates a sense of warmth and comfort. The poem is a celebration of autumn and a reminder that even as things change and die, there is always beauty and renewal waiting to be discovered.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Merry Autumn: A Celebration of Life and Change

As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, we are reminded of the beauty and wonder of autumn. In his poem "Merry Autumn," Paul Laurence Dunbar captures the essence of this season, celebrating the vibrant colors, the bountiful harvest, and the sense of renewal that comes with the changing of the seasons.

Dunbar was a prominent African American poet and novelist who lived from 1872 to 1906. He was known for his use of dialect and his ability to capture the experiences of African Americans in his writing. "Merry Autumn" is one of his most famous poems, and it is easy to see why. The poem is a celebration of life and change, and it is filled with vivid imagery and a sense of joy and wonder.

The poem begins with the lines:

It's all a farce,—these tales they tell About the breezes sighing, And moans astir o'er field and dell, Because the year is dying.

Here, Dunbar is acknowledging the common belief that autumn is a sad and melancholy season. Many people associate autumn with death and decay, as the leaves fall from the trees and the days grow shorter. But Dunbar challenges this notion, insisting that autumn is a time of joy and celebration. He calls the idea that autumn is a sad season a "farce," suggesting that it is a false and misguided belief.

Dunbar goes on to describe the beauty of autumn, painting a vivid picture of the changing landscape:

'Tis true, it's sad to see the year Die along the cold sky, Just when it's best and brimming cheer Most ardently doth try.

But while the year is dying, Dunbar reminds us that it is also at its most vibrant and beautiful. The leaves are changing colors, turning from green to gold and red and orange. The air is crisp and invigorating, and the harvest is bountiful. Dunbar celebrates the abundance of the season, describing the "pumpkin's face" and the "apples' cheeks" as they ripen in the fields.

Dunbar's language is rich and evocative, and he uses a variety of poetic techniques to bring his vision of autumn to life. He employs alliteration and assonance to create a sense of rhythm and musicality, as in the lines:

The cricket chirps in dewy dells, The pumpkin gleams afar.

Here, the repetition of the "d" and "p" sounds creates a sense of movement and energy, as if the poem itself is alive with the sounds of autumn.

Dunbar also uses metaphor and personification to give the natural world a sense of personality and agency. He describes the wind as a "jolly fellow" who "whistles, shouts, and romps," and he imagines the leaves as "little laughing sprites" who dance and play in the breeze. By giving these elements of nature human qualities, Dunbar creates a sense of connection and intimacy between the reader and the natural world.

But perhaps the most powerful aspect of "Merry Autumn" is the sense of renewal and transformation that permeates the poem. Dunbar celebrates the changing of the seasons as a time of growth and renewal, a time when the old gives way to the new:

And so, in short, it seems to me, 'Tis not so much the pain Of dying of the year that's drear, As it's the vacant, cold, and cheerless days That follow in its train.

Here, Dunbar suggests that it is not the act of dying itself that is sad, but rather the emptiness and loneliness that can follow. But even in this darkness, Dunbar finds hope and possibility. He imagines the seeds that will be planted in the fall, and the new life that will emerge in the spring. He celebrates the cycle of life and death, and the way that each season brings its own unique gifts and challenges.

In many ways, "Merry Autumn" is a celebration of the human spirit. It is a reminder that even in the face of change and uncertainty, we can find joy and beauty in the world around us. Dunbar's poem is a testament to the power of language and imagination, and to the way that poetry can help us to see the world in new and exciting ways.

As we enter the autumn season, let us take a moment to celebrate the beauty and wonder of this time of year. Let us embrace the changing colors, the crisp air, and the bountiful harvest. And let us remember the words of Paul Laurence Dunbar, who reminds us that even in the midst of change and uncertainty, there is always something to celebrate and be grateful for.

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