Jawahar Navodaya vidyalaya, Cuttack

English Project
Title : "Exploring 'A Thing of Beauty' by
John Keats"

Name : SUSHREE SHRABANI NAYAK

Class : Xii science Roll no. : 33
Project Guide : Nishat Anwar ma’am
( PGT ENG )
 INDEX
 Acknowledgement
 Certificate
 Introduction
 About the Poet
 Themes in the Poem
 Poem Summary
 Analysis of Literary/Poetic Devices
• Ode Structure and Style
 Era Context
 Critical Analysis
 Visual Representation
 Verbal Representation of Beauty
 Conclusion
 References
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I humbly consider a privilege and honour

to express my heartiest and profound
gratitude to Mrs. Neshat Anwar Madam,
PGT English, for her guidance and
suggestions so generously extended to me.
The support and guidance received from
my friends and family who contributed for
this project is vital for the successful
completion of this project. I am truly
grateful for their constant support and
help. I also owe sense of gratitude to my
parents for their encouragement and
support throughout the project.
Sushree Shrabani Nayak
 Certificate

This is to certify that Miss , Sushree

Shrabani Nayak student of XII
Science of Jawahar Navodaya
Vidvalava, Mundali, Cuttack, has
worked on the English Investigatory
Project entitled “Exploring the thing
of beauty by John Keats” during the
Academic Year 2023-24. She
worked sincerely under the
faculties and prepared this
dissertation.

Sign of Subject Teacher.

Sign of Principal

Introduction
 In this project, we embark on a
literary journey to unravel the
rich tapestry of emotions,
intricate metaphors, and
profound philosophical musings
woven into the verses. By
dissecting the poem’s structure,
examining the poet’s use of
language, and delving into
historical and contextual
elements, we strive to deepen
our understanding of the
timeless beauty encapsulated
within Keats’ eloquent words.
 Join us as we navigate the
nuances of this poetic
masterpiece, seeking to
appreciate the profound impact
and enduring relevance of “A
Thing of Beauty” in the realm of
literary excellence.”
 A Thing of Beauty is a Joy
Forever” is a famous line from
John Keats’ poem “Endymion.”
The poem explores the idea that
beauty, whether in nature, art,
or love, has a timeless and
enduring quality that brings
perpetual joy. Keats expresses
the belief that such beauty has
the power to elevate the human
spirit and provide a source of
everlasting happiness. The
 poem celebrates the
transcendent and transformative
nature of aesthetic experiences.

About Poet :

JOHN KEATS
John Keats, (born Oct. 31, 1795,
London, Eng.—died Feb. 23, 1821,
Rome, Papal States), English
Romantic poet. The son of a livery-
stable manager, he had a limited
formal education. He worked as a
surgeon’s apprentice and assistant
for several years before devoting
himself entirely to poetry at age
21. His first mature work was the
sonnet “On First Looking into
Chapman’s Homer” (1816).slong
Endymion appeared in the same
year (1818) as the first symptoms
of the tuberculosis that would kill
him at age 25. During a few
intense months of 1819 he
produced many of his greatest
works: several great odes
(including “Ode on a Grecian Urn,”
“Ode to a Nightingale,” and “To
Autumn”), two unfinished versions
of the story of the titan Hyperion,
and “La Belle Dame Sans Merci.”
Most were published in the
landmark collection Lamia,
Isabella, The Eve of St. Agnes, and
Other Poems (1820). Marked by
vivid imagery, great sensuous
appeal, and a yearning for the lost
glories of the Classical world, his
finest works are among the
greatest of the English tradition.
His letters are among the best by
any English poet.

Theme Of The Poem

“Thing of Beauty” is a poem by
John Keats, and its major themes
revolve around the concept of
eternal beauty, the role of art and
nature, and the contrast between
transient and permanent beauty.
Keats celebrates the enduring
nature of beauty, suggesting that
art and nature possess a timeless
quality that transcends the fleeting
aspects of life. The poem explores
the idea that genuine beauty is
eternal and can provide solace
amid life’s impermanence. Keats
emphasizes the transformative
power of beauty, whether found in
art or nature, to elevate the human
spirit and create a lasting impact.
The contrast between the
ephemeral nature of human
experiences and the everlasting
beauty portrayed in the poem
underscores the theme of the
enduring quality of true aesthetic
appreciation.
Poetic Device
Alliteration:
 ‘noble natures’
 ‘cooling covert’
 ‘band to bind’
Imagery:
 “flowery bands’
 ‘shady boon’
 ‘clear rills’
 ‘daffodils in green world’
 ‘grandeur of dooms’
 O ‘cooling covert’
 ‘endless fountain of eternal
drink’
Symbolism:
O’simple – refers to mankind as
Christ is considered the shepherd
who leads human souls out of the
dark world of sins and temptations
Transferred Epithet:
 ‘gloomy days’
 ‘unhealthy and o’er darkened
ways’
Oxymoron:
 Mighty dead
Metaphor:
 ‘bower quiet’-refers to a quiet
shady part in the garden
 ‘sweet dreams’-happy dreams
 ‘wreathing a flowery band’-
connecting to nature
 ‘pall’-a covering like like a
shroud
Ode structure and style
“A Thing of Beauty” is an ode
written by John Keats. Odes
typically have a three-part
structure: the strophe (opening),
antistrophe (response), and
epode (conclusion). Keats,
however, didn’t strictly adhere
to this structure.

In terms of style, the poem is

characterized by rich, sensual
imagery and a celebration of
beauty in nature. Keats explores
the idea that beauty, whether in
art or nature, has a
transformative and uplifting
power on the human spirit. The
 language is elaborate,
emphasizing sensory
experiences and creating a
vivid, almost dreamlike
atmosphere. Overall, it’s a
classic example of Romantic
poetry, expressing a deep
connection between the
emotional and the natural world.

Romantic Era contex :

The Romantic Period began roughly
around 1798 and lasted until 1837.
The political and economic
atmosphere at the time heavily
influenced this period, with many
writers finding inspiration from the
French Revolution. There was a lot

of social change during this period.

Calls for the abolition of slavery
became louder during this time,
with more writing openly about
their objections. After the
Agricultural revolution people
moved away from the countryside
and farmland and into the cities,
where the Industrial Revolution
provided jobs and technological
innovations, something that would

spread to the United States in the

19th century. Romanticism was a
reaction against this spread of
industrialism, as well as a criticism
of the aristocratic social and
political norms and a call for more
attention to nature. Although
writers of this time did not think of
themselves as Romantics, Victorian
writers later classified them in this
way because of their ability to
capture the emotion and
tenderness of man.

Critical Analysis
“A Thing of Beauty” is a renowned
poem penned by John Keats.
Scholars and poets have offered
diverse interpretations over time.
Some view it as a celebration of
the enduring power of art and
nature, emphasizing the idea that
beauty transcends the transient
nature of life. Others see it as a
reflection on the poet’s own
struggles and the redemptive
qualities of aesthetic
experience.Throughout history, the
poem has been received with
admiration for its lyrical beauty and
philosophical depth. Critics often
highlight Keats’ Romantic ideals
and his belief in the transformative
and uplifting nature of beauty. Over
time, readers have resonated with
the poem’s exploration of the
sublime and its ability to evoke a
sense of the eternal amid the
transience of life. While
interpretations may vary, the
enduring appeal of “A Thing of
Beauty” lies in its ability to evoke a
sense of wonder and appreciation
for the timeless aspects of the
human experience.
Visual Representation
Verbal Representation
My Beauty Interpretation: “A Thing
of Beauty is a joy forever” quoted
by John Keats is so relatable for
everyone. For me, Beauty is an
amazing creation of god that can
never be extinct. It is very hard or
next to impossible to define the
“True Beauty”. Beauty boosts our
mental peace and fill it with
positivity. It can be found out
everywhere. Everything,every
object has its own beauty which
evidences its existence. Lastly”
Beauty lies in the eyes of the
beholder” is the perfect definition
according to me.
 Pratibha Varati : Beauty is a
subjective quality that
 encompasses a combination of
attributes, such as aesthetics,
harmony, and pleasing
characteristics, often perceived
through sensory experiences
and cultural influences.
 Sudeshna Nayak : Beauty is
explored through various lenses.
Aesthetics delves into the nature
and appreciation of beauty,
while different philosophical
traditions, like Plato's ideal
forms or Kant's transcendental
aesthetics, offer distinct
perspectives on the
philosophical context of beauty.
 Sanchari Dash: “Beauty lies in
the eyes of the beholder”. There
lies beauty in every atom, every
 creation of this universe..you
just need to have the correct
vision to seeframework.
 Somyashree Priyadarshini:
Beauty is something you are
from inside,which defines
yourself. Your true nature which
can be likable or whatever I
could understand and felt the
meaning which makes my day.
Whether it mayBe living or non-
living thing. That can be
beautiful for me.
 Rajeshwari Dash: For many
people, the definition of beauty
lies in the fairness of the
physical body but for me it’s the
kindness and humanity and
pureness of heart.
Conclusion
The poem’s central theme is that
beauty is not fleeting; it is a source
of constant joy. Keats encourages
us to seek and cherish such
moments of beauty, as they have
the power to uplift our spirits and
provide a respite from life’s
challenges. This poem serves as a
reminder of the eternal value of
beauty in our lives.

Reference
Google https://g.co/kgs/EZUnzH