In John Keats’ ode “To Autumn,” the poet vividly describes the rich and bountiful harvest season, highlighting various fruits and elements associated with autumn. The poem captures the essence of this time of year through its detailed and sensory imagery.
One prominent fruit mentioned in the ode is the “plump hazel shells.” This reference to hazelnuts indicates the abundance of this nut-bearing tree during the autumn season. The mention of “plump” suggests that the hazelnuts are ripe and ready for harvest.
Additionally, the poem refers to the cider apple trees and the process of apple pressing. The apples are portrayed as having “moss’d cottage trees,” indicating a rustic and natural setting. The cider-making process is implied with the mention of the “last oozings, hours by hours,” suggesting the slow and deliberate extraction of juice from the apples for cider production.
The poem also mentions the ripening of fruits such as gourds and plump kernels in relation to the season’s agricultural abundance. The lines “And still more, later flowers for the bees, / Until they think warm days will never cease,” suggest that even as autumn progresses, there are still fruits and flowers available, contributing to the sense of plenty and continuity.
In general, “To Autumn” is a celebration of the various fruits, nuts, and agricultural activities associated with the autumn season. The poem paints a vivid picture of the natural world during this time, emphasizing the richness and fullness of the harvest season.