NCERT Notes Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 3: Coming (Free PDF)

The poem Coming by Philip Larkin is the third poem in the Poetry section of the NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words textbook. This poem focuses on the subtle joy brought by the arrival of spring. Through vivid imagery and emotions, the poet explores themes of nature, memory, and innocence. This blog provides easy-to-understand NCERT Class 11 English notes with explanations, meanings, and analysis to help students understand the poem’s beauty and depth. You can also download the free PDF for quick revision.

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Important Word Meanings in Coming by Philip Larkin

In the poem Coming by Philip Larkin, specific words and phrases are used to convey the gentle arrival of spring and its emotional resonance. Understanding these terms helps clarify the poem’s imagery and tone.

Word / Phrase	Meaning
Chill and yellow	Describes the cool, pale light of early spring, suggesting freshness and renewal.
Serene	Calm and peaceful, reflecting the tranquil atmosphere of spring’s arrival.
Foreheads of houses	The upper facades of houses, personified to suggest they are touched by light.
Thrush	A bird known for its clear, melodic song symbolises spring’s vitality.
Fresh-peeled voice	The thrush’s clear, vibrant song evokes newness and purity.
Astonishing the brickwork	The surprising effect of the thrush’s song on the worn, inanimate buildings.
Forgotten boredom	The speaker’s childhood, recalled as mundane but now contrasts with joy.
Unusual laughter	The joyful, unexpected sound of adults reconciling evokes childlike wonder.

Line-by-Line Explanation of the NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 3: Coming

Here is the line-by-line explanation of the poem Coming by Philip Larkin, in detail.

Lines 1–4:

On longer evenings, 

Light, chill and yellow, 

Bathes the serene 

Foreheads of houses

The poem opens with the arrival of spring, marked by “longer evenings” and a “chill and yellow” light that softly illuminates houses. The word “serene” and the personification of houses with “foreheads” create a calm, almost human-like tranquillity, as spring’s gentle light transforms the environment.

Lines 5–9

A thrush sings, 

Laurel-surrounded  

In the deep bare garden, 

Its fresh-peeled voice 

Astonishing the brickwork.

A thrush’s song, described as a “fresh-peeled voice,” emerges from a bare garden framed by laurel bushes. The vivid imagery of the song “Astonishing the brickwork” personifies the worn buildings, suggesting that spring’s vitality surprises even the inanimate, weathered surroundings, infusing them with life.

Lines 10–14: 

It will be spring soon, 

It will be spring soon— 

And I, whose childhood 

Is a forgotten boredom, 

Feel like a child.

The repetition of “It will be spring soon” emphasises the imminent arrival of spring and its promise of renewal. The speaker reflects on a childhood marked by “forgotten boredom,” yet the approach of spring evokes a childlike sense of wonder, reconnecting the speaker to a state of innocence and joy.

Lines 15–19: 

Who comes on a scene 

Of adult reconciling, 

And can understand nothing 

But the unusual laughter,

And starts to be happy.

The speaker compares their feeling to a child witnessing adults reconciling, unable to grasp the context but captivated by the “unusual laughter.” This image captures the pure, unfiltered joy sparked by spring, as the speaker “starts to be happy,” reflecting a spontaneous, almost inexpressible emotional uplift.

Analysis of the NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 3: Coming

The poem Coming by Philip Larkin explores the quiet joy and emotional renewal brought by the arrival of spring, connecting it to a rediscovery of childlike innocence. Through delicate imagery and a reflective tone, Larkin captures the transformative power of nature and its ability to evoke deep, unspoken emotions.

Theme – Renewal and Rediscovered Innocence

The central theme is the renewal brought by spring, which reawakens a sense of wonder and innocence in the speaker. The poem reflects on how nature’s subtle changes stir memories of childhood, contrasting the monotony of adult life with the pure joy of seasonal change.

Symbolism and Meaning

Here we have mentioned the symbolism used in this poem, along with the meaning behind that.

• Chill and Yellow Light: Represents the gentle, fresh presence of spring, softening winter’s harshness and illuminating the world with hope.
• Thrush’s Song: Symbolises the vitality and clarity of spring, its “fresh-peeled voice” evoking new beginnings and emotional purity.
• Foreheads of Houses: Personifies the built environment, suggesting that even inanimate structures are touched by spring’s serenity.
• Unusual Laughter: Symbolises the unexpected joy and reconciliation that spring evokes, mirroring the speaker’s childlike happiness.

Human Experience

The poem captures the universal experience of finding joy in nature’s cycles, particularly the transition from winter to spring. It resonates with readers who have felt moments of unexpected wonder or nostalgia, reminding them of the simplicity and purity of childhood emotions rekindled by natural beauty.

Tone and Mood

The tone and mood of the poem have been given as follows:

• Reflective and Gentle: The poet’s tone is soft and introspective, capturing the understated beauty of spring’s arrival.
• Hopeful and Uplifting: The mood evokes optimism and renewal, as spring’s presence stirs joy and wonder.
• Nostalgic: The poem invites reflection on childhood and the fleeting moments of pure emotion.

Also Read: NCERT Notes Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 2 The Address (Free PDF)

Summary of Coming by Philip Larkin

In Coming, Philip Larkin portrays the subtle arrival of spring through vivid imagery, such as the “chill and yellow” light bathing houses and the thrush’s “fresh-peeled voice” in a bare garden. The poem captures the serene transformation of the environment, as longer evenings and birdsong signal renewal. The speaker, reflecting on a childhood of “forgotten boredom,” experiences a childlike wonder, likened to a child witnessing adults’ “unusual laughter” during reconciliation. The poem celebrates the quiet joy and emotional clarity brought by spring, highlighting nature’s power to evoke profound, spontaneous happiness and reconnect the speaker to innocence.

Poetic Devices in the NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 3: Coming

Larkin employs several poetic devices to convey the poem’s message and enhance its emotional and rhythmic impact.

Device	Example	Effect
Imagery	“Light, chill and yellow”	Creates a vivid picture of spring’s soft, glowing light.
Personification	“Astonishing the brickwork”	Gives life to inanimate buildings, emphasising spring’s transformative power.
Repetition	“It will be spring soon”	Reinforces the anticipation and inevitability of spring’s arrival.
Metaphor	“Fresh-peeled voice”	Conveys the clarity and newness of the thrush’s song, evoking renewal.
Alliteration	“Fresh-peeled voice”	Enhances rhythm and emphasises the vitality of the thrush’s song.
Simile	“Feel like a child”	Compares the speaker’s wonder to a child’s, highlighting innocence.

Download more NCERT Solutions of Class 11 English ‘Woven Words’ here!

Poem 1: The Peacock Solution

Poem 2: Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds Solution

Poem 3: Coming Solution

Poem 4: Telephone Conversation Solution

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