by Ted Hughes
Figures of Speech
| Line/Phrase | Poetic Device | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| "The Laburnum top is silent, quite still" | Alliteration | The repetition of the "s" sound in "silent" and "still" emphasizes the calm and lifeless state of the tree before the goldfinch arrives, creating a serene yet static atmosphere. |
| "In the afternoon yellow September sunlight" | Imagery | Vivid visual imagery paints a warm, golden scene, setting the time and mood. The "yellow" sunlight foreshadows the goldfinch’s vibrant color, linking the natural elements. |
| "A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen" | Imagery | This visual imagery conveys the tree’s autumnal decline, suggesting dormancy or decay, which contrasts with the vitality brought by the goldfinch. |
| "Suddenness of a startlement" | Alliteration | The "s" sounds mimic the abruptness of the goldfinch’s arrival, enhancing the sense of surprise and energy that disrupts the tree’s stillness. |
| "A suddenness, a startlement, at a branch end" | Personification | The tree’s reaction to the goldfinch’s arrival is described as a "startlement," attributing human-like emotion to the tree, emphasizing the transformative impact of the bird’s presence. |
| "She stokes it full, then flirts out to a branch-end" | Metaphor | The goldfinch "stoking" the tree compares her action to fueling a fire, suggesting she ignites life and energy in the dormant tree. "Flirts" adds a playful, lively tone to her movement. |
| "Showing her barred face identity mask" | Metaphor | The goldfinch’s face is likened to an "identity mask," suggesting a dual nature—both a nurturing mother and a mysterious, fleeting figure. It adds depth to her role in the poem. |
| "Engine of her family, she stokes it full" | Metaphor | The goldfinch is compared to an "engine," highlighting her role as the driving force that powers the tree (her family’s home), emphasizing her vitality and centrality to the scene. |
| "A machine starts up, of chitterings, and a tremor of wings, and trillings" | Metaphor | The nest’s activity is likened to a "machine," suggesting a sudden burst of mechanical-like energy and noise, contrasting with the earlier silence and amplifying the liveliness. |
| "The whole tree trembles and thrills" | Personification | The tree is given human-like qualities, trembling and thrilling, which underscores the contagious energy and excitement brought by the goldfinch and her chicks. |
| "Tremor of wings, and trillings" | Alliteration | The "t" sounds in "tremor" and "trillings" mimic the rapid, fluttering movements and sounds of the birds, enhancing the auditory and kinetic imagery. |
| "Then sleek as a lizard, and alert, and abrupt" | Simile | The goldfinch’s movement is compared to a lizard, emphasizing her quick, smooth, and cautious exit, highlighting her agility and instinctual nature. |
| "She enters the thickness" | Metaphor | The "thickness" refers to the dense foliage, symbolizing a hidden or secretive space. It suggests the goldfinch’s retreat into a mysterious, protected realm after her task. |
| "The tree subsides to empty" | Personification | The tree "subsides" as if it has emotions, returning to its initial lifeless state after the goldfinch’s departure, emphasizing the transient nature of the energy she brought. |
Short Answer Type Questions
Long Answer Type Questions
1. How does the poem "The Laburnum Top" by Ted Hughes symbolize the relationship between the body and the soul? Analyze how this relationship is depicted through the imagery and structure of the poem. Relate this symbolism to the broader themes of life and existence.
Answer: In "The Laburnum Top," Ted Hughes skillfully uses the imagery of the laburnum tree and the goldfinch to symbolize the relationship between the body and the soul. The laburnum tree, described as silent and still, can be seen as a metaphor for the body—lifeless and dormant without the presence of the soul. The arrival of the goldfinch, which enlivens the tree with its energy and movement, represents the soul that animates the body and gives it purpose.
The tree, stripped of its leaves and flowers, symbolizes a state of dormancy or lifelessness, much like a body without a soul. The goldfinch’s arrival transforms the tree, infusing it with life, similar to how the soul enlivens the body. The poem's structure, with its shift from stillness to activity, further emphasizes this dynamic relationship.
This depiction resonates with the broader themes of life and existence, highlighting the interdependence of the physical and spiritual aspects of being. Just as the body is incomplete without the soul, the laburnum tree is incomplete without the presence of the goldfinch. The poem invites reflection on the necessity of both body and soul in the experience of life, suggesting that true vitality comes from their harmonious union.
In a broader context, this relationship can be seen as a metaphor for the need to balance the material and spiritual aspects of life, encouraging a deeper understanding of existence as a combination of both physical presence and inner vitality.
2. Analyze the structure of "The Laburnum Top" and discuss how Ted Hughes uses it to enhance the poem's themes. How does the poem’s structure reflect the cycles of life, and what lessons can be drawn from it in relation to the concept of renewal in our lives and societies?
Answer: The structure of "The Laburnum Top" is carefully crafted to enhance its themes of transformation and the cycles of life. The poem is divided into two distinct parts: the first describes the stillness and silence of the laburnum tree, while the second illustrates its awakening with the arrival of the goldfinch. This contrast between the two sections mirrors the cyclical nature of life—dormancy followed by renewal.
Hughes's use of enjambment, where lines flow into one another without pause, mimics the continuous movement and energy brought by the goldfinch, further emphasizing the theme of life’s dynamism. The cyclical structure reflects the natural processes of growth, decay, and rebirth, which can be applied to human experiences of change and renewal.
The poem’s structure teaches us that periods of inactivity or hardship in our lives can be followed by moments of growth and rejuvenation. Similarly, in society, challenges can lead to new beginnings and positive transformations if we embrace the natural cycles of life. The poem encourages resilience and an understanding of the importance of both
