Unit-3: The Laburnum Top

 The Laburnum Top – Ted Hughes

Background of the Poem

• Ted Hughes, a prominent English poet, was known for his deep connection with nature and animals.
• This poem captures a moment in nature—a silent laburnum tree brought to life by the arrival of a goldfinch.
• It reflects on how life, vitality, and movement can transform a seemingly lifeless environment.
• Written in free verse, the poem also subtly explores interdependence in nature.

Summary in Points

1. The poem begins with a laburnum tree, described as silent, still, and dying.
2. It is late September—the leaves are turning yellow and the seeds are falling.
3. The environment is lifeless until a small goldfinch bird arrives suddenly.
4. The goldfinch enters the thickness of the tree where her young ones are hidden.
5. Her arrival fills the tree with energy, sound, and movement—a moment of transformation.
6. After feeding her chicks, the bird flies away with a strange chirrup.
7. The tree returns to silence and stillness—just as it was at the beginning.

Setting

• Place: A laburnum tree in a natural outdoor setting, likely a garden or countryside.
• Time: September afternoon—end of summer; a season of transition and fading life.
• Atmosphere: Initially quiet and lifeless, later lively and energetic during the bird's visit.

Perspective (Point of View)

• Third-person point of view, narrated by an observer.
• The speaker objectively describes the tree, the bird’s arrival, and the resulting transformation.
• The observer seems to admire the natural moment quietly and reflectively.

Central Idea

• The poem highlights how a lifeless environment (the laburnum tree) can be revived by even the smallest form of life (the goldfinch).
• It reflects the idea of symbiosis and the beauty of fleeting natural moments.

Themes

1. Nature and its vitality – The shift from stillness to life.
2. Interdependence in nature – The tree and the bird complete each other’s purpose.
3. Transformation and impermanence – Life is ever-changing; nothing is permanent.
4. Motherhood and nurturing – The goldfinch’s care for her chicks.
5. Cycle of life – Stillness, energy, and return to stillness mirror the life cycle.

Message

• Life exists even in seemingly lifeless places.
• Small acts or beings can bring immense change and energy.
• Nature functions in mutual support—every creature plays its part.
• Moments of liveliness are often brief but beautiful and meaningful.

Title Justification

"The Laburnum Top" refers to the top part of a laburnum tree, which is the focus of the poem.

• It’s the setting where the action unfolds.
• The arrival and departure of the goldfinch take place at the top of the tree.
• The title is symbolic—what appears dull and dying (the tree top) becomes lively and full of meaning due to life (the bird).

Thus, the title perfectly captures the essence and location of the poem’s action and transformation.

Literary Devices

1. Alliteration – “yellow September sunlight”
2. Personification – The tree is described as “silent” and “still” (human traits).
3. Simile – “Like a lizard, sleek and alert” (describing the bird's movement).
4. Imagery – Visual and sound images: “engine of her family”, “flirting out to a branch end”.
5. Transferred Epithet – “yellow September sunlight” (sunlight itself isn’t yellow because it’s September).
6. Metaphor – The goldfinch is described as the “engine” of her family, symbolizing energy and life.

Tone and Mood

• Tone: Observational, calm, admiring, reflective
• Mood: Shifts from stillness and barrenness to energy and liveliness, then back to stillness
  
  
  Flowchart
  
  

A[Laburnum tree is silent and still] --> B[September - leaves yellow, seeds fall]

B --> C[Goldfinch arrives suddenly]

C --> D[She enters the tree, feeds her young]

D --> E[Tree becomes noisy, active, full of life]

E --> F[Goldfinch flies away]

F --> G[Tree becomes silent and still again]

Key Words

• Laburnum – A tree with yellow flowers
• Goldfinch – A small, yellow wild bird
• Sleek – Smooth and shiny
• Alert – Attentive and watchful
• Stoking – Feeding or encouraging (used figuratively)
• Flirts out – Moves out playfully
• Chirrup – A bird’s sharp sound

 

Detailed Summary

The poem "The Laburnum Top" begins with a description of a quiet, dying laburnum tree in late September. Its leaves are turning yellow, and the tree stands silent, giving an impression of lifelessness. Suddenly, a small goldfinch bird arrives, bringing an unexpected burst of energy. She enters the tree’s thick branches, where her young ones are hidden. Her movement is quick and sharp, compared to a lizard’s. As she feeds her chicks, the previously silent tree becomes alive with chirping, movement, and energy—it becomes an "engine of her family". After fulfilling her purpose, the bird flies away into the sky, and the tree returns to its earlier stillness and silence. The poem captures a fleeting moment of liveliness and reflects on the power of small life forms to bring vitality and transformation to their surroundings.

NCERT Questions

1. What Laburnum is Called in Your Language? 

Ans. In my language, which is Hindi, the laburnum is called Amaltaas. It is a tree characterized by medium height, drooping branches, bright yellow flowers, and poisonous seeds. 

2. Which Local Bird is Like the Goldfinch? 

Ans. The local, i.e., Indian bird resembling goldfinch, is a parakeet named 'Indian Lutino Ringneck'.

Think it Out

1. What Do You Notice about the Beginning and the Ending of the Poem?

Ans. As the poem begins, I notice that the poet had described the laburnum tree on an afternoon of September bathed in yellow light. Only a few leaves of the tree had turned golden and all the seeds had fallen. The tree was portrayed as calm and silent. At the end of the poem, I notice that when the goldfinch left to the unknown after making its final whistle-chirping sounds the tree remained empty and still. 

2. To What is the Bird’s Movement Compared? What is the Basis for the Comparison?

Ans. The bird’s movement in the poem was compared to that of a lizard. Lizards when moving on the wall make watchful movements towards their prey and suddenly attach it. According to the poet, the bird’s movements were vigilant and unexpected as it arrived at the laburnum tree just like a lizard. 

3. Why is the Image of the Engine Evoked by the Poet?

Ans. The little goldfinch ensures that sustainment is provided to its family so the future generation remains alive. Thus the bird’s behavior of bringing food to its family has evoked the image of an engine in the poet’s mind which similarly provides energy to a machine to keep it running. 

4. What Do You Like Most about the Poem?

Ans. I like the simple yet beautiful description of the relationship between the tree and bird given in the poem. I like how the poet described a very mundane routine of a bird and how it was pouring life in the silent and still laburnum tree. 

 5. What Does the Phrase “Her Barred Face Identity Mask” Mean?

Ans. The phrase “her barred face identity mask” has referred to the appearance of the goldfinch bird. The bird’s body is yellow while its face has stripes. Though the bird can hide its body in the yellow flowers of the laburnum tree, its striped face can only identify its presence on the tree.