The Laburnum Top Class 11: Complete Summary & Notes
Welcome to the complete study guide for Class 11 English Hornbill chapter, “The Laburnum Top”. Written by Ted Hughes, this beautiful poem describes the mutual relationship between a silent Laburnum tree and a lively Goldfinch bird.
The Poem: “The Laburnum Top” by Ted Hughes
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 abrupt, and alert,
She enters the thickness, and a machine starts up
Of chitterings, and a tremor of wings, and trills —
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.
Complete Summary of The Laburnum Top
The poem is divided into three distinct phases showcasing the transformation of the tree:
Phase 1: The Silent and Death-like Tree
The poem begins with the description of a Laburnum tree on a September afternoon. The tree is completely silent and still. Its leaves are turning yellow, and its seeds have fallen, giving it a lifeless and death-like appearance in the autumn season.
Phase 2: The Arrival of the Goldfinch (The Tree Comes Alive)
The silence is broken suddenly by the arrival of a Goldfinch bird. She moves quickly and alertly, like a lizard. As she enters the thick branches to feed her young ones, the tree suddenly comes alive. The chicks start chirping and fluttering their wings. The poet compares the nest to an “engine” that is fueled by the mother bird. The entire tree seems to tremble and thrill with energy.
Phase 3: The Departure (Back to Silence)
After feeding her young ones (stoking the engine), the mother bird comes out to the end of a branch. Her striped face acts like a mask hidden in the yellow leaves. With a strange, sweet whistle, she flies away into the infinite sky. Once she leaves, the Laburnum tree becomes completely silent and empty once again.
Important Word Meanings & Poetic Devices
| Word/Phrase | Meaning in English |
|---|---|
| Laburnum | A short tree with hanging branches, yellow flowers, and poisonous seeds. |
| Goldfinch | A small singing bird with yellow feathers on its wings. |
| Twitching | A sudden, quick movement. |
| Sleek as a lizard | Moving smoothly and quickly (Poetic Device: Simile). |
| Stokes it full | Adds fuel to the engine (Here, it means feeding the chicks completely). |
| Eerie | Strange, mysterious, and slightly frightening. |
| Subsides | Returns to a normal, quiet state. |
Important Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Test your knowledge with these exam-focused MCQs from the poem.