AS IMPERCEPTIBLY AS GRIEF V. TO AUTUMN

Similarities

• TIME: Both poets show the process of passing timeand the effect it has on both the environment and individuals. Dickinson uses the word "perfidy" which suggests. her lack of trust for time as she feelstricked by how quickly time is taken away from her.She also uses the verb "lapsed" which literallyrepresents time passing and the negativeconnotations associated with this process.Dickinson expresses her feelings towards theinevitable passage of time and her struggle throughaccepting this. Keats uses the adjective "maturing"to describe the sun which suggests time is passingand this idea is reinforced throughout the play asthe poet describes the changes between theseasons. Keats also uses the phrase "rosy hue" whichlinks to colours dimming at the end of the day andend of life. "Rosy hue" creates an image of a sunsetand the idea of time passing not only though asingular day but through a year and through theentirety of life.
• NATURE: Both poems express the negativeemotions that are associated with the change ofseason and the link between humans and nature.Dickinson uses the phrase "dusk drew earlier in"which links to the arrival of winter and how the daysare shortened. It also mirrors how the speaker feelsthe darkness is drawing closer and she feels that thelight (her happiness) is growing shorter each day.The phrase "Twilight long begun" creates the sameimage of the speaker being trapped betweendark/depression and light/happiness. Keats shows ahint of sadness at the idea of winter coming in thephrase "until they think warm days will never case"Autumn tricks nature and the people into thinkingsummer will never end and creating a feeling offalse and limited happiness. Keats also evokesimages of the grim reaper through the use of wordssuch as "hook" and "spares". The grim reaper couldlink to the idea of winter decay and thedeath/negativity that comes with the change intothe colder season.

Differences