About the Lesson
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Explanations
The Laburnum Top
Ted Hughes
The Laburnum top is silent, quite still
In the afternoon yellow September sunlight,
A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen.
Till the goldfinch comes, with a twitching chirrup
A suddenness, a startlement, at a branch end.
Then sleek as a lizard, and alert, and abrupt,
She enters the thickness, and a machine starts up
Of chitterings, and a tremor of wings, and trillings —
The whole tree trembles and thrills.
It is the engine of her family.
She stokes it full, then flirts out to a branch-end
Showing her barred face identity mask
Then with eerie delicate whistle-chirrup whisperings
She launches away, towards the infinite
And the laburnum subsides to empty.
Theme
The theme of the poem is the rejuvenation of nature and the celebration of energy. The laburnum tree is silent until the goldfinch comes and enlivens the tree with its activities. There are all sorts of sounds and startlements. Soon she shoots away into the sky plunging the tree into surging silence.
Style
Free verse, free from any limitations of rhyme or regular meter
Summary
The Laburnum top is silent, quiet and still. It is September afternoon full of sunlight. It is autumn season. The laburnum tree is full of yellow leaves. All the seeds of the laburnum tree have fallen.
Soon a goldfinch comes. It starts twitching (moving) and chirping. All on a sudden there is movement in the end of the branch. Just like a lizard, smooth, alert and abrupt, she (mother goldfinch) enters the thick part (foliage) of the tree. A machine of chattering, shaking and warbling starts up on the treetop. The whole tree starts shaking. The nest is the machine and the goldfinch is the engine of her family. She feeds the nestlings as if she adds fuel to the machine. Then moves out to the end of a branch showing her striped (barred) face. Then with a strange soft chirping whistle, she flies away towards the sky. The laburnum tree once again becomes silent.
Word Meanings
1. Laburnum a small European tree, which has hanging, clusters of yellow flowers followed by slender pods containing poisonous seeds.
2. goldfinch a small brightly coloured bird with yellow feathers.
3. twitching moving suddenly and quickly
4. chirrup short high pitch sound of birds
5. startlement amazement, surprise
6. chittering making a twittering or chattering sound
7. tremor quiver, slight shaking movement
8. trilling repeatedly making short high sound
9. trembles and trills quivers and shakes
10. engine goldfinch (mother bird)
11. strokes feeds the nestlings
12. flirts moves abruptly
13. barred having stripes
Poetic Devices
1. The Laburnum top is silent, quite still personification
2. September sunlight alliteration (sibilance)
3. chirrup onomatopoeia
4. sleek as a lizard simile
5. and alert and abrupt assonance
6. machine metaphor ( the nest)
7. chitterings onomatopoeia
8. trillings onomatopoeia
9. engine metaphor (mother goldfinch)
10. she strokes alliteration (sibilance)
11. whistle-chirrup onomatopoeia
Preparation
Think it out
1. What do you notice about the beginning and the ending of the poem?
Ans. The beginning and the ending of the poem express the solitude of the laburnum tree. The very first line of the poem depicts the silence of the laburnum top; similarly, the last line concludes in the emptiness, means the silence of the laburnum tree.
2. To what is the bird’s movement compared? What is the basis for the comparison?
Ans. The poet has compared the bird’s movement with that of a lizard. The movement of a lizard is sleek, sudden and abrupt; exactly the goldfinch had the same movements when it perched on the laburnum tree.
3. Why is the image of the engine evoked by the poet?
Ans. The poet has metaphorically used the goldfinch as the engine of her family (machine). Soon after she feeds (stokes) the family with the energy, there is chittering, tremor and trilling. The whole tree comes to life.
4. What do you like most about the poem?
Ans. Laburnum Top is an exquisite presentation of relationship between the goldfinch and the laburnum tree. I like the way Ted Hughes has brought animal symbolism in the poem to depict the relation between the bird and the tree. The serenity of the environment contrasted with chirpy sonorous sound attracts me a lot.
5. What does the phrase “her barred face identity mask” mean?
Ans. The goldfinch shows her striped face which looks like a mask for her. In fact goldfinch has brown and black patch of colour on the face like a mask.
EXTRA QUESTIONS
What is the title of the poem by Ted Hughes that celebrates the interaction between a goldfinch and a laburnum tree?
How does the laburnum tree appear in the poem, and what season is it set in?
Describe the goldfinch's behaviours when it first arrives at the laburnum tree.
What sounds and movements does the goldfinch create as it explores the branches of the tree?
In the poem, what metaphor does the poet use to describe the goldfinch's family and their activity in the tree?
What distinct facial markings of the goldfinch does the poet mention when it flirts out to a branch end?
How does the goldfinch depart from the laburnum tree, and what does it symbolize?
What emotions or feelings does the poem evoke in you as a reader?
What message do you think the poet is conveying through "The Laburnum Top"?
Can you draw any connections between the poem's themes and your own experiences with nature or fleeting moments of beauty?
ANSWERS
1. The title of the poem by Ted Hughes that celebrates the interaction between a goldfinch and a laburnum tree is "The Laburnum Top."
2. In the poem, the laburnum tree is described as silent and still, with a few leaves yellowing, and all its seeds fallen. It is set in the yellow September sunlight, signifying the approaching autumn.
3. When the goldfinch first arrives at the laburnum tree, it makes a sudden twitching chirrup, startlingly and alertly landing at the end of a branch.
4. The goldfinch creates a flurry of activity with its presence. The tree comes alive with chitterings (cheerful calls), tremor of wings (suggesting movement), and trillings (melodious sounds).
5. The poet uses the metaphor of "the engine of her family" to describe the laburnum tree when the goldfinch is active within its branches. It symbolizes the lively and harmonious activity of the goldfinch and its family members.
6. The poet mentions the goldfinch's barred face identity mask when it flirts out to a branch-end. This refers to the bird's unique facial markings, which help identify its species.
7. The goldfinch departs from the laburnum tree with an eerie and delicate whistle-chirrup. This departure symbolizes freedom and the boundless possibilities of nature.
8. The poem may evoke feelings of wonder, admiration for nature's beauty, and a sense of transience in life's fleeting moments.
9. The poet is conveying the beauty and transient nature of moments in nature. The poem celebrates the connection between the goldfinch and the tree while reminding us of the impermanence of such encounters.
10. Personal connections to the poem's themes may vary for each reader. Some might recall moments of encountering wildlife in nature and being struck by their grace and brief presence, while others might find parallels in the ephemeral nature of beautiful moments in their own lives.
VALUE-BASED QUESTIONS
1) How does the poem "The Laburnum Top" emphasize the value of appreciating and cherishing fleeting moments of beauty in nature?
2) In what ways does the goldfinch's departure symbolize the value of freedom and the importance of embracing opportunities for growth and exploration?
3) What message does the poem convey about the value of family and communal bonds, as exemplified by the goldfinch and its interactions in the laburnum tree?
4) How does the poem inspire a sense of responsibility towards nature and its delicate ecosystems, encouraging readers to value and protect the natural world?
5) Reflecting on the poem's themes of impermanence and transience, how can we learn to value and find meaning in the fleeting moments of our own lives? How can we make the most of such moments
ANSWERS
How does the poem "The Laburnum Top" emphasize the value of appreciating and cherishing fleeting moments of beauty in nature?
Answer: The poem emphasizes the value of appreciating fleeting moments of beauty in nature by vividly portraying the brief encounter between the goldfinch and the laburnum tree. It reminds us that such moments of natural beauty are transient and can easily be missed if not observed attentively. By highlighting the goldfinch's departure and the subsequent return of the laburnum tree to emptiness, the poem urges readers to cherish and savor the beauty of nature, recognizing its ephemeral yet enchanting presence.
2. In what ways does the goldfinch's departure symbolize the value of freedom and the importance of embracing opportunities for growth and exploration?
Answer: The goldfinch's departure symbolizes the value of freedom as it gracefully takes flight "towards the infinite." The bird's ability to explore and move beyond the confines of the laburnum tree signifies the essence of freedom and the unbounded possibilities that life offers. In this sense, the goldfinch becomes a metaphor for individuals seeking growth and new experiences. Its departure inspires readers to embrace opportunities for exploration and personal development, emphasizing the significance of seizing moments for growth and expansion in their own lives.
3. What message does the poem convey about the value of family and communal bonds, as exemplified by the goldfinch and its interactions in the laburnum tree?
Answer: The poem showcases the value of family and communal bonds through the goldfinch's interactions in the laburnum tree. When the goldfinch enters the tree, the whole tree comes alive with "chitterings," "tremor of wings," and "trillings." The phrase "the engine of her family" implies that the goldfinch's activities are interconnected with its family members. This highlights the importance of familial connections and the strength that comes from collective support and cooperation. The poem reminds us of the beauty of shared experiences and the significance of nurturing family and communal bonds in our own lives.
4. How does the poem inspire a sense of responsibility towards nature and its delicate ecosystems, encouraging readers to value and protect the natural world?
Answer: The poem inspires a sense of responsibility towards nature and its delicate ecosystems by showcasing the goldfinch's dependence on the laburnum tree for sustenance and shelter. The tree becomes a sanctuary for the goldfinch and its family, representing the interconnectedness of all living beings in the ecosystem. By observing the lively interactions between the bird and the tree, readers are encouraged to value and appreciate the intricacies of nature. The poem's portrayal of the goldfinch's departure also serves as a reminder of how human actions can impact the delicate balance of nature, urging readers to take responsibility in preserving and protecting the natural world.
5. Reflecting on the poem's themes of impermanence and transience, how can we learn to value and find meaning in the fleeting moments of our own lives? How can we make the most of such moments?
Answer: The poem's themes of impermanence and transience encourage us to value and find meaning in the fleeting moments of our lives by embracing a mindful and present outlook. Just as the goldfinch's visit to the laburnum tree is brief yet beautiful, our own lives are filled with precious moments that pass swiftly. To make the most of these fleeting moments, we can cultivate gratitude and awareness, appreciating the simple joys and wonders that surround us daily. By living in the present and cherishing each experience, we can find deeper meaning in the ephemeral nature of life and create lasting memories. Additionally, we can prioritize relationships and connections, much like the goldfinch's interactions with its family, understanding that our bonds with others enrich our lives and leave a lasting impact beyond the passage of time.