On The Grasshopper and Cricket
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 meadow;
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.
Summary of “On The Grasshopper and Cricket”
- Background: This poem is not part of John Keats’ canon and appears to be a modern composition, not published in any of Keats’ collections.
- Central Idea: The poem celebrates the ceaseless and enduring nature of beauty and song within the natural world. Even when the voices of summer fall silent, or winter’s frost brings stillness, the unwavering melodies of insects persist, reminding us that nature’s ‘poetry’ never truly ends.
- Message for Readers: The poem gently invites us to cultivate a heightened awareness of the subtle sounds of nature, encouraging a receptive ear that listens for quiet, enduring beauty that is always present if we pause to observe the world around us.
Detailed Analysis and Interpretation
The Enduring Voice of Nature (Lines 1-4)
Keats boldly asserts, “The poetry of earth is never dead.” This opening line is more than a statement; it is a foundational principle. The ‘poetry of earth’ signifies the intrinsic beauty and harmonious sounds found in the natural world. He establishes that this beauty is constant, even in the face of apparent silence. The subsequent lines depict a shift—the birds, overwhelmed by the hot sun, seek refuge. Even in their absence, a new sound emerges: “a voice will run / From hedge to hedge.” This introduces the grasshopper, the initial voice that carries on the ‘poetry’ when others fall silent.
The Grasshopper: Embodiment of Summer (Lines 5-8)
The poem identifies the source of the sound: “That is the grasshopper’s.” Keats does not merely describe the insect; he imbues it with personality. The grasshopper “takes the lead / In summer luxury.” This phrase suggests a carefree enjoyment of life, a celebration of warmth and abundance. He “has never done / With his delights,” emphasizing the ceaselessness of nature’s joy. The image of the grasshopper resting “at ease beneath some pleasant weed” is particularly striking. It is a scene of simple contentment, highlighting that joy is not necessarily grand or elaborate, but can be found in the most unassuming moments and places.
A Seasonal Transition (Lines 9-10)
The ninth line acts as a pivotal shift: “The poetry of earth is ceasing never.” This is not a contradiction of the first line, but a re‑emphasis—a confirmation that the ‘poetry’ simply transforms, rather than ends. The poem transitions to a lone winter evening, a stark contrast to the sun drenched meadow. The word “frost” is crucial; it signals a silencing force, a stillness imposed by the cold. The image of the frost “has wrought a silence” is powerfully visual and auditory, preparing us for a new voice to emerge.
The Cricket: Winter’s Sustained Song (Lines 11-14)
As the silence of winter descends, a new sound breaks through: “from the stove there shrills / The cricket’s song.” The cricket, unlike the grasshopper, is associated with warmth—the warmth of the hearth, a human‑created haven. Its song “increases ever,” suggesting a growing intensity, a resilience in the face of the cold. The final line is a masterstroke of poetic connection: “The grasshopper’s among some grassy hills.” This line subtly links the two insects, creating a sense of cyclical continuity. Though winter has arrived, the memory of summer, embodied by the grasshopper, remains, a promise of renewal and the enduring ‘poetry of earth.’
Literary Devices Highlighted
- Personification: Keats breathes life into abstract concepts, giving the ‘poetry of earth’ the ability to never die and allowing the frost to “wrought a silence.” This technique elevates nature to a conscious, almost sentient force.
- Imagery: The poem is rich with vivid sensory details, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the scenes described.
- Alliteration: The subtle use of alliteration, such as “frost has wrought a silence” and “warmth increasing ever,” creates a musicality that echoes the poem’s central theme of song and rhythm.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem’s rhyme scheme does not follow a conventional pattern, but its musicality remains, contributing to its formal structure and flow.
- Symbolism: The grasshopper and the cricket are powerful symbols. The grasshopper embodies the vibrancy and abundance of summer, while the cricket represents the quiet resilience and enduring warmth of winter. Together, they symbolize the cyclical nature of life and the timeless beauty of the natural world.
Why This Poem Resonates
- Encourages Mindfulness: The poem prompts us to actively listen to the world around us and appreciate the subtle beauty that often goes unnoticed.
- Accessibility and Depth: Despite its concise form, the poem offers layers of meaning and invites multiple interpretations, making it suitable for readers of all levels.
- Universal Themes: The poem explores universal themes of nature, time, change, and the enduring power of beauty, making it relevant and resonant across cultures and generations.
“On The Grasshopper and Cricket” is more than just a description of insects; it’s a celebration of the ‘poetry of earth’—a timeless and enduring beauty that surrounds us, waiting to be heard. By carefully attending to the sounds of nature and appreciating the simple joys of life, we can discover a deeper connection to the world around us.