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Ted Hughes’ poem The Laburnum Top forms an important part of the NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill syllabus. The poem captures a brief yet meaningful moment in nature, where a silent laburnum tree transforms into a space full of movement and sound with the sudden arrival of a goldfinch. Through vivid imagery and subtle metaphors, the poem reflects themes of life, vibrancy and gradual stillness.
Students looking for clear NCERT notes on The Laburnum Top will find this resource helpful for understanding its ideas, structure and poetic techniques. The blog further explains the meaning of each part of the poem and highlights important literary elements to support easy comprehension. A free downloadable PDF is also available to make revision simple and accessible.
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NCERT Notes Class 11 English Hornbill Poem 2: The Laburnum Top
Here we have designed to help students clearly understand Ted Hughes’ poem included in the Class 11 English Hornbill textbook. The content covers important aspects such as information about the poet, a concise overview of the poem, character details, central themes, and a well-structured summary. Each section supports deeper learning and makes the poem easier to interpret during revision or exam preparation.
Detailed Explanation of NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill Poem 2: The Laburnum Top
The Laburnum top is silent, quite still
In the afternoon yellow September sunlight,
A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen.
Explanation: The poem begins with a calm and quiet scene. The laburnum tree is standing still in the warm afternoon sunlight of September. Its leaves have started turning yellow, and the seeds have already dropped, showing that the season is changing. At this moment, the tree looks dull and lifeless. The stillness helps create a peaceful setting before the sudden movement that follows later in the poem.
Word Meaning for Stanza 1:
To better understand this imagery, here are the meanings of some key words and phrases used in the stanza:
| List of Difficult Words for Stanza 1 | Meaning |
| Laburnum | A type of tree with bright yellow flowers |
| Top | The upper part or crown of the tree |
| Silent | Completely quiet, without any sound |
| Quite | Completely or entirely; emphasises stillness |
| Still | Motionless, calm, without movement |
| Afternoon | The part of the day after noon |
| Yellow September sunlight | Soft, golden sunlight typical of September, indicating early autumn |
| Leaves yellowing | Leaves turning yellow as the season changes |
| Seeds fallen | Seeds have dropped from the tree, showing seasonal change |
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
Explanation: In this part of the poem, poem shows the arrival of the goldfinch on the laburnum tree and the life she brings with her. She appears suddenly, moving quickly and alertly, like a lizard, creating a sense of energy and liveliness. As she enters the dense branches, the tree becomes alive with sounds, chitterings, wing flutters, and musical trills, making the entire tree seem to tremble and thrill. The poet describes the bird as the engine of her family, indicating that she brings vitality to her group. She actively maintains this energy and then perches at the tip of a branch, revealing her distinctive barred face, highlighting her unique presence in the tree.
Word Meaning for Stanza 2:
To better understand the imagery and actions described in this stanza, here are the meanings of some key words and phrases:
| List of Difficult Words for Stanza 2 | Meaning |
| Goldfinch | A small, bright yellow bird known for its cheerful chirping |
| Twitching chirrup | Quick, lively movements accompanied by a short, sharp sound |
| Suddenness | The quality of happening unexpectedly |
| Startlement | A feeling of surprise or shock |
| Sleek as a lizard | Smooth, quick, and agile movements, like a lizard |
| Abrupt | Sudden or unexpected |
| Thickness | The dense, crowded part of the tree |
| The machine starts up | A metaphor for the burst of activity and sounds in the tree |
| Chitterings | Quick, high-pitched bird sounds |
| Tremor of wings | Fluttering or shaking movement of wings |
| Trillings | Musical, vibrating sounds produced by birds |
| Trembles and thrills | Shakes and vibrates with excitement |
| Engine of her family | The central source of energy and activity for her group |
| Stokes it full | Maintains or fuels the energy |
| Flirts out | Moves lightly and playfully |
| Barred face identity mask | Distinctive markings on the bird’s face that identify it |
Then with eerie, delicate whistle-chirrup whisperings
She launches away, towards the infinite
And the laburnum subsides to emptiness.
Explanation: In the 3rd stanza, the poet describes the goldfinch’s departure from the laburnum tree. She makes soft, delicate sounds, whistle-chirrup whisperings which suggest grace and fragility. Suddenly, she flies off into the open sky, symbolised by heading towards the infinite. After she leaves, the laburnum returns to its quiet, motionless state, now empty of the lively energy that the bird had brought. This highlights the transient nature of her presence and the contrast between vitality and stillness in the natural scene.
Word Meaning for Stanza:
To better understand the imagery and emotions in this stanza, here are the meanings of some key words and phrases:
| List of Difficult Words for Stanza 3 | Meaning |
| Eerie | Strange or mysterious, creating a delicate or haunting feeling |
| Delicate | Fragile, gentle, or fine in quality |
| Whistle-chirrup whisperings | Soft, gentle, high-pitched sounds made by the bird |
| Launches away | Flies off suddenly and swiftly |
| Towards the infinite | Moving into the limitless, open sky |
| Subside | To calm down, settle, or become quiet again |
| Emptiness | Lack of life, sound, or activity; a sense of void |
Summary of ‘The Laburnum Top’ by Ted Hughes
‘The Laburnum Top’ by Ted Hughes is a short poem that explores nature’s movements. The story revolves around a quiet tree that comes alive with the arrival of a goldfinch. Here is the summary of the poem in a detailed manner.
The Laburnum top is silent, quite still
In the afternoon, yellow September sunlight,
A few leaves are yellowing, all its seeds have 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 emptiness.
CBSE Class 11 English The Laburnum Top Summary
Ted Hughes’ poem The Laburnum Top presents a simple yet meaningful scene from nature, where a silent tree transforms briefly before returning to calmness. The moment feels ordinary at first, yet it highlights how nature holds small bursts of life and energy that often go unnoticed.
The poem begins with a quiet laburnum tree in early autumn. Its leaves have turned yellow, the seeds have dropped, and the surroundings appear still under warm September sunlight. The atmosphere feels empty and lifeless.
This stillness changes when a goldfinch appears. The small bird moves swiftly and chirps softly as she enters the tree to reach her young ones hidden in the nest. Her presence brings movement and sound, turning the silent tree into an animated scene.
With the fluttering of wings and constant calls, the tree seems full of activity. Hughes compares this sudden liveliness to a machine starting up, showing how quickly the tree shifts from quiet to energetic.
Once the goldfinch finishes feeding her chicks, she pauses briefly and then flies away with a light whistle. The moment she disappears, the tree returns to its original stillness, restoring the calm that existed before.
Central Idea of the Message of the Poem: The Laburnum Top
The poem The Laburnum Top reminds readers that moments of life and activity can appear even in places that seem silent or lifeless. The brief transformation of the tree shows how nature holds small bursts of beauty that may last only for a short while. The poem encourages us to notice these subtle experiences and appreciate the simple yet meaningful changes happening around us.
Explore: NCERT Notes Class 11 English Woven Words Essay 7: Bridges (Free PDF)
Poetic Devices in ‘The Laburnum Top’
Ted Hughes’ poem The Laburnum Top uses several poetic devices to bring the laburnum tree and the goldfinch vividly to life. Below is a clear explanation of each device, with examples and their purpose:
| Poetic Device | Example | Purpose of the Poem |
| Alliteration | September sunlight | Adds rhythm and musical quality |
| Repetition | chitterings, trillings | Emphasises sound and activity |
| Simile | sleek as a lizard | Creates a clear visual image |
| Metaphor | The engine of her family | Shows the importance and vitality of the bird |
| Personification | Tree trembles and thrills | Makes nature feel alive and responsive |
| Imagery | Yellow sunlight, Whistle-chirrup | Appeals to the senses of sight and sound |
| Enjambment | Line-to-line continuation | Gives a smooth flow like the bird’s movement |
| Symbolism | Tree and bird | Represents stillness vs. life, silence vs. energy |
1. Alliteration
Definition: Repetition of the same starting sound in nearby words.
Examples:
- September sunlight: Repetition of ‘s’
- Twitching chirrup: Repetition of ‘ch’
- Sleek as a lizard, alert and abrupt: Repetition of ‘a’
Effect: Creates a rhythmic, musical quality that adds liveliness to the poem.
2. Repetition
Definition: Repeating words or phrases for emphasis.
Examples:
- Chitterings, Trillings, Tremor of Wings: Emphasises sudden activity
- Whistle-Chirrup Whisperings: Highlights delicate bird sounds
Effect: Makes the scene feel full of energy and movement.
3. Simile
Definition: Comparison using like or as.
Example:
- Sleek as a Lizard: Shows the bird’s quick, smooth movements
Effect: Helps the reader visualise the goldfinch’s sharp and sudden motion.
4. Metaphor
Definition: A direct comparison without using like or as.
Examples:
- A machine starts up: The tree’s sudden activity is compared to a machine
- It is the engine of her family: The bird is the source of energy for her group
Effect: Highlights the vitality and significance of the bird in the scene.
5. Personification
Definition: Giving human qualities to non-human things.
Example:
- The whole tree trembles and thrills: The tree seems to feel excitement
Effect: Makes the natural scene alive and emotionally expressive.
6. Imagery
Definition: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.
Examples:
- Yellow September sunlight: Visual image
- Chitterings, trillings, whistle-chirrup: Sound images
- Tremor of wings: Tactile and auditory image
Effect: Engages readers’ senses, helping them see, hear, and feel the scene.
7. Enjambment
Definition: A sentence or thought continues from one line to the next without a pause.
Examples:
- Then sleek as a lizard, and alert, and abrupt,
- She enters the thickness, and a machine starts up
Effect: Mirrors the fluid, continuous movement of the bird.
8. Symbolism
Definition: Using objects or characters to represent deeper ideas.
Examples:
- Laburnum Tree: Represents stillness, silence, or lifelessness
- Goldfinch: Symbolises life, energy, motherhood, and the beauty in fleeting moments
Important Themes of the Poem ‘The Laburnum Top’
Ted Hughes’ poem explores important ideas about life, nature, and the small but meaningful moments around us. Here are the key themes explained clearly:
1. Life vs. Stillness
- The poem shows a striking contrast between quiet and activity.
- At first, the laburnum tree seems lifeless, silent, and still. Its yellowing leaves and fallen seeds make it look dull.
- When the goldfinch arrives, the tree suddenly comes alive with movement, sound, and energy.
- This teaches us that life can appear unexpectedly in quiet places, just as nature moves between calmness and activity, similar to human life.
2. Temporary Beauty
- The goldfinch’s visit is very short, yet it transforms the tree completely.
- The word shows that beautiful moments in life are often fleeting.
- The poem reminds us to appreciate small, magical moments because they don’t last forever.
- Just as the tree returns to stillness, some precious moments pass quickly before we even notice.
3. Motherhood & Nurturing
- The goldfinch represents a caring mother, providing for her chicks.
- She is called the engine of her family, meaning she brings energy and life to her home.
- The poem honours the quiet love and hard work of mothers, which often goes unseen.
4. Nature’s Hidden Wonders
- Though the tree looks empty and lifeless, there is life hidden inside, a nest with chicks.
- Natures’ hidden wonders shows that nature often hides its activity and energy from plain sight.
- The poem reminds us that stillness does not always mean lifelessness. Even quiet places can be full of hidden wonders.
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FAQs
The poem shows how a quiet, lifeless tree comes alive when a goldfinch visits to feed her chicks. It highlights the beauty of nature, the bond between a mother and her young, and how life can suddenly appear in stillness.
The poem teaches us to value small, fleeting moments of life and joy. It reminds us that nature is full of surprises, and we should appreciate its hidden wonders.
Alliteration – September sunlight
Simile – Sleek as a lizard
Metaphor – Engine of her family
Personification – The tree trembles and thrills
Imagery – Visual and sound images like yellow sunlight, trillings
Enjambment – Sentences flow across lines
Symbolism – Laburnum tree (stillness), goldfinch (life/energy)
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