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Ted Hughes’ poem “The Laburnum Top” is a part of the NCERT Class 11 English syllabus. The poem is a vivid portrayal of nature’s fleeting yet profound moments, where a quiet tree comes alive with the arrival of a goldfinch
The ‘Laburnum Top’ beautifully captures themes of life, energy, and transience through rich imagery and metaphor. If you’re looking for a detailed NCERT Class 11 English The Laburnum Top Summary & Notes to enhance your understanding, you’re in the right place.
In this blog, we’ll break down the poem’s meaning, literary devices, and key takeaways to help you grasp its essence effortlessly. Let’s dive in.
Explore Notes of Class 11 English
Important Word Meanings in ‘The Laburnum Top’ by Ted Hughes
Table of Contents
To fully appreciate Ted Hughes’ beautiful poem, it’s important to understand some of the special words he uses. These words create vivid pictures and sounds in our minds, making the poem come alive. Let’s explore their meanings one by one!
| Word | Meaning | Why It’s Important in the Poem |
| Goldfinch | A small, bright yellow bird | Represents sudden life/energy in the silent tree |
| Twitching chirrup | Quick bird movements + short high sound | Shows how the bird breaks the silence abruptly |
| Suddenness | Happening very fast | Emphasises the unexpected change in the scene |
| Startlement | Surprise, shock | The tree seems “startled” by the bird’s arrival |
| Sleek | Smooth, graceful (like a lizard) | Describes the bird’s swift, fluid motion |
| Abrupt | Suddenly, no warning | Highlights how quickly the bird acts |
| Chitterings | Rapid, chatty bird sounds | Fills the tree with noisy activity |
| Tremor of wings | Shaking from fluttering wings | Shows the tree physically reacting to life |
| Trillings | Musical bird calls | Adds to the lively “soundtrack” of the scene |
| Barred face | Striped face (bird’s markings) | Gives the goldfinch a distinct identity |
| Eerie | Strange, mysterious | Makes the bird’s departure feel haunting |
Why These Words Matter:
Each word helps build the poem’s contrast between silence and sound, stillness and movement. For example:
- “Twitching chirrup” vs. “silent” tree → Shows change.
- “Machine starts up” vs. “subsides to empty” → Highlights temporary energy.
Now, when you reread the poem, imagine the goldfinch’s striped face, hear the “chitterings” and “trillings”, and feel the “tremor of wings”—it’ll feel like watching a mini-movie in your mind!
Also Read:
Summary of ‘The Laburnum Top’ by 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.
NCERT Class 11 English The Laburnum Top Summary
Ted Hughes’ poem “The Laburnum Top”, in simple terms, is like watching a “nature’s magic show”, where a dead-looking tree suddenly comes alive for a few exciting minutes before returning to silence. It makes us appreciate those small, special moments in the natural world.
The poem describes a quiet, almost lifeless laburnum tree in early autumn. Its leaves have turned yellow, the seeds have fallen, and everything is still and silent in the warm September sunlight.
But then, something magical happens- a goldfinch (a small bird) suddenly arrives. She moves quickly and makes soft chirping sounds. As she goes into the tree to feed her young ones hidden in the nest, the tree comes alive with movement and sound.
The once-silent tree now trembles with energy- it’s full of fluttering wings and bird calls. The poet compares the tree to a machine or engine starting up because of how busy and lively it becomes.
After feeding her chicks, the goldfinch rests for a moment, then flies away with a soft whistle. As soon as she leaves, the tree becomes silent and still again, just like before.
Main Message:
The poem shows how even something that looks quiet or lifeless can suddenly come alive with energy and life, even if just for a short time. It teaches us to notice and appreciate these small, magical moments in nature.
Detailed Explanation of the Poem ‘The Laburnum Top’
Here’s a stanza-by-stanza summary of “The Laburnum Top” by Ted Hughes to help you understand the poem easily:
“The Laburnum top is silent, quite still
In the afternoon yellow September sunlight,
A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen.”
The poem begins by describing a laburnum tree (a tree with yellow flowers) in September afternoon. The tree is silent and still, with a few yellow leaves and fallen seeds. It looks lifeless and empty.
Key Idea: Nature is quiet and calm before something changes.
“Till the goldfinch comes, with a twitching chirrup
A suddenness, a startlement, at a branch end.”
Suddenly, a goldfinch (a small, bright yellow bird) arrives with a quick, chirping sound. Its appearance is sudden and surprising, breaking the silence.
Key Idea: The bird brings energy and movement to the still scene.
“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.”
The bird moves smoothly and quickly like a lizard, darting into the tree. As soon as she enters, the tree becomes alive with noise, chirps, fluttering wings, and bird calls. The whole tree shakes with energy, like a machine suddenly turned on.
Key Idea: The silent tree transforms into a lively, noisy place because of the bird’s presence.
“It is the engine of her family.
She stokes it full, then flirts out to a branch-end
Showing her barred face identity mask.”
The tree acts like an engine (a source of energy) for the bird’s family (likely her chicks). She feeds them (stokes the engine) and then quickly moves to a branch, showing her striped face.
Key Idea: The mother bird works hard to feed her young ones, bringing life to the tree.
“Then with eerie delicate whistle-chirrup whisperings
She launches away, towards the infinite
And the laburnum subsides to empty.”
After feeding her family, the bird flies away with a soft, whistling sound, disappearing into the sky. The tree becomes silent and empty again, just like it was before.
Key Idea: The moment of life and energy is temporary- once the bird leaves, the tree returns to stillness.
Overall Meaning:
The poem shows how nature can change from silence to noise and back to silence in moments. The goldfinch’s arrival brings life, energy, and movement, but when she leaves, the tree becomes calm and empty again. It’s a beautiful example of nature’s fleeting moments of joy and activity.
Analysis of the Poem ‘The Laburnum Top’
Now that you have understood the NCERT Class 11 English The Laburnum Top Summary, let’s dive deeper into its analysis. We’ll explore the themes and hidden meanings that make this poem special.
Key Themes
1. Life vs. Stillness
The poet presents a beautiful contrast between stillness and life. The laburnum tree appears lifeless until the goldfinch arrives and fills it with energy.
- The poem shows a clear contrast between the lifeless tree and the lively bird.
- In the beginning, the laburnum tree is silent, empty, and still. It looks dull and inactive.
- But when the goldfinch arrives, everything changes; there is noise, movement, and excitement.
- This shows how life can suddenly enter a quiet place and bring energy, even for a short time.
- It reflects how nature keeps moving between calmness and activity, just like human life.
2. Temporary Beauty
The short visit of the goldfinch reminds us that life is full of temporary but beautiful moments that should be appreciated.
- The bird’s visit is very short, but in that brief time, the tree becomes full of life.
- This shows that beautiful moments in life are often short-lived.
- The poem teaches us to enjoy and value small, magical moments, because they don’t last forever.
- Just like the tree goes back to being silent, some moments are gone before we realise.
3. Motherhood & Nurturing
The goldfinch symbolises motherhood, as she selflessly cares for her young ones, bringing life and energy to the tree.
- The goldfinch is not just a visitor, she is a mother, feeding and caring for her chicks.
- She is described as the “engine of her family“, meaning she keeps everything running.
- This theme highlights the hard work and love of mothers, which often goes unseen.
- The poet honours the quiet strength and care that motherhood represents.
4. Nature’s Hidden Wonders
The goldfinch symbolizes motherhood, as she selflessly cares for her young ones, bringing life and energy to the tree.
- At first, the tree looks dead and empty, but inside, there are chicks and a hidden nest.
- This shows that nature often hides its most lively parts from plain sight.
- It reminds us to look deeper and observe nature closely, even in silence, there can be life.
- The poem suggests that stillness does not always mean lifelessness.
Poem’s Message
In “The Laburnum Top”, Ted Hughes uses a short, everyday scene in nature to give us a deeper lesson about life. Through the image of a quiet tree and a visiting bird, he shows us how even the simplest moments in nature can hold meaningful truths.
1. Nature is Full of Surprises
- At first, the laburnum tree looks dead or lifeless, its leaves are yellow, the seeds have dropped, and everything is silent.
- But then, a goldfinch suddenly arrives, and the tree comes alive with sound and movement.
- This shows that nature is never truly still or empty. Life may be hidden, but it’s always there, waiting to show itself.
- Hughes wants us to understand that even quiet places can be full of surprise and hidden activity.
2. Nothing Stays the Same
- The bird’s visit is brief, she comes, feeds her chicks, then flies away.
- As soon as she leaves, the tree becomes silent and still again.
- This shows how life is always changing, from stillness to energy, from joy to quiet.
- Hughes reminds us that nothing is permanent. Even the most beautiful moments come and go quickly.
3. Beauty Exists in Small Moments
- The goldfinch’s quick visit turns an ordinary tree into something vibrant and magical.
- It shows us that beauty is not always in big events, it can be found in small, everyday things too.
- Hughes teaches us to notice and appreciate those little moments: a bird feeding her chicks, the sound of wings, a quiet tree waking up.
Also Read:
Poetic Devices in ‘The Laburnum Top’
Here’s a detailed explanation of all the poetic devices used in Ted Hughes’ poem “The Laburnum Top”, explained in simple and clear language:
| Poetic Device | Example | Purpose |
| Alliteration | “September sunlight” | Adds rhythm |
| Repetition | “chitterings, trillings” | Emphasises sound and activity |
| Simile | “sleek as a lizard” | Creates a clear image |
| Metaphor | “engine of her family” | Shows the importance and life |
| Personification | “tree trembles and thrills” | Makes nature feel alive |
| Imagery | “yellow sunlight”, “whistle-chirrup” | Appeals to senses |
| Enjambment | Line-to-line continuation | Smooth flow like the bird’s movement |
| Symbolism | Tree and bird | Deeper meanings: stillness vs. life |
1. Alliteration
Definition: Repetition of the same starting sound in nearby words.
Examples in ‘The Laburnum Top’
- “September sunlight” – Repetition of the ‘s’ sound.
- “twitching chirrup” – Repetition of the ‘ch’ sound.
- “sleek as a lizard, alert and abrupt” – Repetition of the ‘a’ sound.
Effect: Creates rhythm and musical quality in the poem.
2. Repetition
Definition: Repeating words or phrases for effect.
Examples:
- “chitterings, trillings, tremor of wings” – Emphasises the sudden burst of activity and noise.
- “whistle-chirrup whisperings” – Repeats the soft bird sounds.
Effect: Shows how alive and full of energy the tree becomes when the bird is there.
3. Simile
Definition: Comparison using words like or as.
Example:
- “sleek as a lizard” – The goldfinch is compared to a lizard to show how quickly and smoothly it moves.
Effect: Gives a clear image of the bird’s sharp, sudden movements.
4. Metaphor
Definition: A direct comparison without using like or as.
Examples:
- “a machine starts up” – The tree is compared to a machine that suddenly comes to life.
- “It is the engine of her family.” – The goldfinch is called the engine, showing she keeps her family running.
Effect: Highlights the energy and importance of the bird’s actions.
5. Personification
Definition: Giving human-like qualities to non-human things.
Example:
- “the whole tree trembles and thrills” – The tree is described as if it can feel excitement.
Effect: Shows how the tree becomes almost alive and emotional during the bird’s visit.
6. Imagery
Definition: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, touch).
Examples:
- “yellow September sunlight” – Visual image of warm light.
- “chitterings, trillings, whistle-chirrup” – Sound images that describe the bird’s voice.
- “tremor of wings” – Touch and sound, helps the reader feel the vibrations.
Effect: Helps the reader see, hear, and feel the scene more vividly.
7. Enjambment
Definition: When a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without a pause.
Example:
- “Then sleek as a lizard, and alert, and abrupt,
She enters the thickness, and a machine starts up”
Effect: Keeps the flow of the poem natural, just like how the bird moves quickly without stopping.
8. Symbolism
Definition: Using symbols to represent deeper meanings.
Examples:
- Laburnum Tree – Symbol of stillness, silence, or lifelessness.
- Goldfinch – Symbol of life, energy, motherhood, and beauty in small moments.
Effect: Adds deeper meaning to the poem, turning a simple scene into a life lesson.
To sum up the NCERT Class 11 English The Laburnum Top Summary & Notes, the poem beautifully shows how a quiet, lifeless tree can suddenly come alive with energy, sound, and movement- thanks to the brief visit of a small bird, the goldfinch. The poem reminds us that even the calmest, stillest parts of nature can hold hidden life and magic.
Through vivid images and poetic devices, Hughes teaches us to notice and value these short, beautiful moments that often go unnoticed. The poem ends where it began, with silence, showing the temporary nature of joy and life.
In the end, the poem gives us a gentle message:
Life is full of small wonders, and we should cherish every fleeting moment of beauty and activity before it fades away.
I hope the NCERT Class 11 English The Laburnum Top Summary & Notes were helpful.
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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