"Autumn" by John Clare - A Serene Tapestry of Nature's Beauty

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John Clare's Captivating Portrayal of Serene Beauty of the Countryside

John Clare, "the Northamptonshire Peasant Poet"(1793-1864), is celebrated for his vivid portrayals of the English countryside and his poignant expressions of its disturbance. Among his notable collections of poetry, such as "First Love," "Snow Storm," and "The Village Minstrel and Other Poems," Clare captures the essence of the English countryside with a fresh air of romanticism. His "Autumn" transports us to the serene countryside, where he explores the subtle and mellow beauty of the autumnal season, a season characterized by falling leaves, bare branches, and vigorous winds as it serves as a prelude to winter. Through his descriptive language and keen observations, the poet paints a vivid pen picture of autumn's charm.  

John Clare

The Melancholic Beauty of Autumn's Dance

In "Autumn," Clare open the poem with his fondness for the gusts of wind that persistently rattle the casement throughout the day. These gusts serve as a harbinger of change, as they pluck the faded leaves from the mossy elm tree. The poet's choice of words creates a sense of movement and fragility, as he describes the swirling dance of the leaves outside the window. The imagery of the leaves twirling, along with countless others scattered down the lane, evokes a melancholic beauty and a reminder of nature's cyclical nature:

"I love the fitfull gusts that shakes
 The casement all the day
And from the mossy elm tree takes
 The faded leaf away
Twirling it by the window-pane
With thousand others down the lane"

A Juxtaposition of Seasons: Nostalgia and Longing

Clare's attention then turns to the shaking twigs that dance until evening sets in. He notices a sparrow perched on a cottage ridge, whose cheerful chirping makes one believe that spring is still present, nestled within the lap of summer. This juxtaposition of seasons conveys a sense of nostalgia and longing, as autumn's arrival brings forth the memories of the vibrant and blossoming days of spring:

"I love to see the shaking twig
 Dance till the shut of eve
The sparrow on the cottage rig
 Whose chirp would make believe
That spring was just now flirting by
In summers lap with flowers to lie"

Autumn's Serene Solitude and Rustic Charm

The poet's focus shifts to the cottage smoke curling upwards amidst the naked trees. He observes the pigeons seeking solace in their cozy nooks on dull November days. These scenes depict the quietude and solitude that autumn brings, as nature prepares for the arrival of winter. The imagery of the cock crowing on the dung-hill and the mill sails turning on the heath adds to the sense of rustic charm and the passing of time:

"I love to see the cottage smoke
 Curl upwards through the naked trees
The pigeons nestled round the coat
 On dull November days like these
The cock upon the dung-hill crowing
The mill sails on the heath agoing"

Nature's Rhythmic Transformations in Autumn

Clare then introduces natural elements associated with autumn, such as the feather falling from a raven's breast onto the stubble field. This delicate image emphasizes the gentle touch of nature as it gradually transforms the landscape. The falling acorns near the old crow's nest further accentuate the rhythmic pattern of nature's cycles. The grunting pigs eagerly scramble and hurry to feast upon the fallen acorns, embodying the instinctual drive for survival and sustenance:

"The feather from the ravens breast
 Falls on the stubble lea
The acorns near the old crows nest
 Fall pattering down the tree
The grunting pigs that wait for all
Scramble and hurry where they fall"

Descriptive Language and Imagery

 Throughout the four stanzaic poem, Clare employs descriptive language and imagery to evoke the tranquility and subtle beauty of autumn. His choice of words allows readers to visualize the scenes and immerse themselves in the countryside's harmonious atmosphere. The repetition of natural sounds, such as the shaking twigs and the crowing of the cock, adds an auditory dimension to the poem, further enhancing its evocative power. Added to that the rhyming of ababcc, the repeated rhyme scheme contributes to the poem's overall musicality and creates a sense of harmony and rhythm.

Conclusion

In conclusion, John Clare's "Autumn" captures the serene tapestry of nature's beauty in the countryside. Through his keen observations and descriptive language, the poet immerses us in the delicate charm of the season. The poem's themes of change, nostalgia, and the cyclical nature of life remind us of the fleeting yet enchanting qualities of autumn. Clare's ability to paint a pen picture of the mellow beauty of autumn in the countryside allows readers to appreciate the quiet magnificence that resides within this transitional season.

Ardhendu De

References

1. Poem of the week: Autumn by John Clare. (2012, October 29). The Guardian. http://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/oct/29/poem-of-the-week-john-clare

2. John Clare - Wikipedia. (2019, August 26). John Clare - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Clare#:~:text=John%20Clare%20(13%20July%201793,a%20major%2019th%2Dcentury%20poet.

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