On the Grasshopper and Cricket by John Keats, Class 9-10, 2024

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John Keats (1795-1821) was an English poet and physician who is considered a major figure in the Romantic movement. His work is still widely read today, and he is considered one of the most important poets of his age.

On the Grasshopper and Cricket

by John Keats 

The Poetry of earth is never dead:

When all the birds are faint with the hot sun,

And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run

From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead;

That is the Grasshopper’s—he takes the lead

In summer luxury,—he has never done

With his delights; for when tired out with fun

He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.

The poetry of earth is ceasing never:

On a lone winter evening, when the frost

Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills

The Cricket’s song, in warmth increasing ever,

And seems to one in drowsiness half lost,

The Grasshopper’s among some grassy hills.

 

Word Meaning

Luxury: The state of great comfort and extravagant living.

Example from the poem: "In summer luxury,—he has never done with his delights."

Mead:  A field or area of grassland, especially one used for hay.

Example: "From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead."

 Rest: To relax or take a break.

Example: "When tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed."

Ceasing: To bring to an end; stop.

Example: "The poetry of earth is ceasing never."

Shrills: Makes a high-pitched and piercing sound.

Example: "On a lone winter evening, when the frost has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills the Cricket’s song."

Drowsiness: State of being half-asleep or on the verge of falling asleep.

Example: "And seems to one in drowsiness half lost, the Grasshopper’s among some grassy hills." 

Perpetual: Continuing forever, everlasting.

Example: "The perpetual poetry of earth is never dead."

Hedge: A fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs.

Example: "From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead."

Enchanting: Delightfully charming or captivating.

Example: "The idea that the poetry of earth is never dead is truly enchanting." 

Ode: A poem meant to be sung.

Example: "What a delightful ode to the perpetual poetry of nature!"

Melodies: Succession or arrangement of sounds that are harmonious.

Example: "It makes you appreciate the subtle melodies that echo through different seasons."

Eternal: Lasting forever, without end.

Example: "Connecting us to the eternal rhythm of nature."

 A short summary on: “On the Grasshopper and Cricket”

The poet, John Keats, talks about how the beauty of nature is always present. In the summer, when the birds are resting in the shade, you can hear the Grasshopper's sound as it moves through the freshly cut meadow. The Grasshopper is a symbol of summer joy and leisure.

Keats emphasizes that the poetry of nature never stops. Even in winter, when everything is silent because of the frost, you can still hear the song of the Cricket coming from the warmth of the hearth. The Cricket's song is like a comforting presence on a quiet winter evening, making it feel cozy and alive.

Overall, the poem celebrates the ongoing beauty and poetry found in different aspects of nature, whether it's the lively Grasshopper in summer or the comforting Cricket in winter.