All questions of Poem - Laburnum Top for Class 11 Exam

The goldfinch’s movement is compared to a lizard. The basis for the comparison is that it is sleek, abrupt and alert like a lizard. The same kinds of movements are observed when the goldfinch arrives on the laburnum tree.

The goldfinch entered the thickness of the laburnum tree because it had to reach its nest where its young ones were waiting to be fed by her. The lines that support the answer are 'a machine starts up', 'of chitterlings and a tremor of wings and trilling'.

The leaves of the Laburnum tree had turned yellow. The seeds too had fallen down. However her body which was yellow in color made her barely visible as it would mix with the color of the leaves which too was yellow in color.

And the laburnum subsides to empty. After reaching the end of the branch, the bird makes a sweet chirping sound just like whispering and flies away towards the infinite sky. It again makes the Laburnum tree silent and death-like.

After the goldfinch arrives on the tree, the silent and still Laburnum tree suddenly starts trembling and moving. The whole tree comes to life as the chicks of the goldfinch make a lot of noise as they chitter and trill on seeing their mother.

The phrase means that the bird's barred or covered face becomes her identity mask for recognition. Reference to Context 1. A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen Till the goldfinch comes, with a twitching chirrup A suddenness, a startlement, at a branch end.

The poem “The Laburnum Top” by Ted Hughes describes the mutual relation between a Laburnum Tree and a goldfinch. Both of them are yellow in colour (the tree is yellow because of its flowers) and quite beautiful in appearance. The Laburnum Tree is beautiful, large but quite silent and getting naked because of winter.

Its leaves had turned yellow and seeds had fallen down. It was a daytime in the month of September when the tree was standing still and death-like. The life-less tree becomes alive by the arrival of the Goldfinch bird. The tree is her shelter.

The tree makes a sudden chirrup sound upon the bird's arrival. He compares the quickness, speed and alertness of the bird to that of a lizard. When she starts moving towards the thickness of the branch, the nestlings start chirping and flapping their wings.

The phrase means that the bird's barred or covered face becomes her identity mask recognition.

The goldfinch came to laburnum tree to build a nest on it so that she can feed her young ones. The chitterings of the young ones and their movement brought life in the tree.

The life-less tree becomes alive by the arrival of the Goldfinch bird. She came to feed her younger ones who are on the thickness of the branch. The death-like tree becomes alive and it trembles and shakes. After feeding them, she flies to the other side of the branch.

The poet has given two opposite scenarios of the tree. The tree first being death-like and still and then giving life and shelter to bird and her young ones. It is the engine of her family. The Laburnum tree and the goldfinch bird is the engine of her family.

The Dominant Colour Used in the Poem

The dominant colour used in the poem is yellow. The poet utilizes various imagery and metaphors associated with the colour yellow to convey the central theme and emotions in the poem.

Imagery of Yellow

The poet uses vivid descriptions of yellow to create a visual image in the reader's mind. Yellow is often associated with brightness, warmth, and happiness. It is a colour that symbolizes joy, hope, and optimism. Through the imagery of yellow, the poet is able to evoke a sense of positivity and optimism in the poem.

Metaphorical Significance

Yellow is not only used to describe the physical appearance of objects, but it also carries metaphorical significance in the poem. It represents various emotions, ideas, and concepts that contribute to the overall theme of the poem.

Symbolism of Yellow

Yellow symbolizes energy, creativity, and enlightenment. It represents the dawn of a new day, a fresh start, and the potential for growth and transformation. The poet uses yellow to symbolize the awakening of the senses and the renewal of hope.

Emotional Impact

The dominant use of yellow in the poem creates an emotional impact on the reader. It evokes feelings of happiness, optimism, and positivity. The use of yellow imagery and metaphors helps to establish a vibrant and uplifting tone throughout the poem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the dominant colour used in the poem is yellow. The poet employs vivid descriptions, metaphorical significance, and symbolism associated with yellow to convey the central theme and evoke emotions in the reader. The use of yellow imagery creates a visually appealing and emotionally impactful reading experience.

The lizard is a quick moving animal. It is also very alert and its movements are sudden. In the given line, the arrival of the goldfinch on the Laburnum tree is described. The poet describes its movements as alert and sudden just like that of a lizard. This is done to avoid getting the attention of the predators.

The flowers of the Laburnum tree and its leaves (in autumn) both are yellow in colour. Apart from this, the goldfinch’s feathers are also yellow in colour. The poem highlights the high security that the mother bird (goldfinch) ensures for her babies and the colour yellow helps in camouflaging the babies. Hence they escape being noticed by any predator.

The tree which was earlier silent has become active, noisy and full of life, as the goldfinch has come to feed her young ones. when the bird fly away than the tree was again silent and they have no movement .

The movement of the goldfinch is compared to that of a lizard. The basis of the comparison is the sleek, alert and sudden movements of a lizard. The goldfinch makes similar kind of movements when it arrives on the Laburnum tree to avoid being noticed by any predator.

Transferred epithet: “Her barred face identity mask”. (The flowers of the Laburnum plant are barred).