PRE-READING 1. What is your favourite season and why is it your favourite?
2. Every season has its positive and negative aspects. What are the positive and negative aspects of autumn?
3. Autumn is often used as a symbol in poetry. What do you think it could be a symbol for?
COMPREHENDING AND RESPONDING
1. In your opinion, how does the first line of this poem set the tone? Refer to the poem in support of your answer.
2. What does autumn achieve by ‘conspiring’ with the ‘maturing sun’ according to stanza I? Refer to stanza I in support of your answer.
3. ‘Keats uses verbs to create a sense of growth and abundance in stanza I of “To Autumn”’. Discuss this statement, with reference to stanza I.
4. Keats uses personification in stanza II. Describe the image of autumn this gives you.
5. Describe the scene you picture from reading the lines: ‘While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,/ And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue’.
6. What ‘music’ does autumn have, according to stanza III? Refer to stanza III in support of your answer.
7. Which image from the poem did you find most vivid? Explain your choice.
8. ‘“To Autumn” is a sensual poem that enables the reader to feel, touch, hear and see autumn clearly.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Support your answer with reference to the poem.
9. Compare ‘To Autumn’ with another of Keats’ odes under the headings sensuous language, imagery and theme.
10. What theme or themes can you find in this poem? Refer to the poem in support of your answer.
CREATING
1. Write a descriptive paragraph on one of the following topics: autumn in Ireland, a sunset in my home town or a walk in the countryside. Your writing should contain imagery, sensuous language and as much vivid description as possible.
2. You wish to organise a harvest festival in your school. Write the text of the letter or email that you would send to your school principal asking for permission to do so.
3. Write a short story in which the time of year plays a significant role.
