The Grasshopper and the Cricket

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Top of Form Bottom of Form Home>Literature>Poets and Poetry Poets And Poetry A Poetry Analysis on the Grasshopper and the Cricket by John Keats By: Nancy Browne * Published: December 17, 2012 MORE ARTICLES ABOUT: Poetry analysis: On the Grasshopper and the Cricket, by John Keats John Keats poem, “On the Grasshopper and the Cricket,” expresses his appreciation and admiration for nature in a powerful and observant way. It is intriguing to see how sensitive and aware Keats is when describing the grasshopper and the cricket, and how he shows the importance of these species in the world. The poem is symbolic to two seasons; summer and winter, and to the difference in the mood presented by each season. Starting with the line, “The poetry of earth is never dead,” Keats clearly understands that nature and poetry will continuously revolve. It is interesting to note how Keats reference provides the reader with the authors wise and heartfelt appreciation for, not only the grasshopper and cricket, but for nature and it entails. With the mere pleasure of words and thoughts, Keats is able to convey his feelings. Words like “birds,” “faint,” “hot sun,” and “cooling trees,” all suggest that the season is summer. In choosing the grasshopper and cricket in his poem, Keats provides a uniqueness of both species, and shows how important both are to the environment. He confirms this by using capital letters for the grasshopper and cricket, and picks the grasshopper to symbolize summer. In the line, “The grasshopper – He takes the lead – In summers luxury.” In the heat of the summer it joyfully moves about, and after much fun, it effortlessly is able to rest under a weed. In comparison, this is how the mood of summer affects nature and humanity. Keats uses the cricket to associate winter. The cricket in the cold and silent winter chirps in song as it finds warm near a stove.
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