Interpretations

Word cloud of keywords and phrases from the poem To Autumn

Interpreting and analysing a poem is not necessarily a matter of finding the right answer.

Poems are complex creations and are open to many different interpretations. Your is as valid as anyone else's - as long as you can back it up with suitable evidence from the text.

Remember to avoid simply identifying what techniques or approaches poets use. Aim to show an understanding of how form, language and structure create meanings and effects.

Below are some differing interpretations of the poem. How would you interpret the poem?

Examples

Interpretation of the whole poem

Interpretation	Reason for interpretation
The poem is about everything slowing down and coming to a halt.	The poet describes how the year itself winds down towards winter – much like how a person’s life fades with time.
The poem describes a huge amount of energy and a life force which is still to be found.	Although the poem is about autumn (when ripened things have started to decay and die), it is hinted that spring and regrowth is not all that far away.

Interpretation	The poem is about everything slowing down and coming to a halt.
Reason for interpretation	The poet describes how the year itself winds down towards winter – much like how a person’s life fades with time.

Interpretation	The poem describes a huge amount of energy and a life force which is still to be found.
Reason for interpretation	Although the poem is about autumn (when ripened things have started to decay and die), it is hinted that spring and regrowth is not all that far away.

Interpretation of the line: ‘Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find/ Thee sitting careless on a granary floor'

Interpretation	Reason for interpretation
The word ‘careless’ refers to a lack of care.	A lack of carefulness has been shown in throwing the harvested grain (a key aspect of autumn) onto the floor of the storehouse.
The word ‘careless’ refers to the idea of being without a care and having nothing to worry about.	The speaker feels that once the grain has been harvested and gathered (a key aspect of autumn) then there is no need for further care or worry about how the winter will be survived.

Interpretation	The word ‘careless’ refers to a lack of care.
Reason for interpretation	A lack of carefulness has been shown in throwing the harvested grain (a key aspect of autumn) onto the floor of the storehouse.

Interpretation	The word ‘careless’ refers to the idea of being without a care and having nothing to worry about.
Reason for interpretation	The speaker feels that once the grain has been harvested and gathered (a key aspect of autumn) then there is no need for further care or worry about how the winter will be survived.

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To Autumn by John Keats - EduqasInterpretations