Coming - Poetry- Class 11 - Woven Words

BhashaLab
Jun 29
4 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Poet: Philip Larkin

Textbook: Woven Words

Genre: Poem (Nature / Reflective)

Summary

Philip Larkin’s poem Coming captures the arrival of spring and its emotional impact on the speaker. The poem begins with a calm description of a longer evening, where light shines “chill and yellow” across houses. A thrush sings joyfully in a garden, and its “fresh-peeled voice” surprises even the brickwork around. This birdsong symbolizes spring’s arrival, a season of hope, renewal, and beauty. The speaker contrasts the vibrancy of the present moment with his own uneventful childhood, which he recalls as “a forgotten boredom.” However, the present transforms him. He compares his feelings to those of a child who unexpectedly witnesses adults reconciling—confused, yet filled with laughter and happiness. In this moment, he experiences spontaneous joy, blending innocence with renewal. Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, the poem shows how the coming of spring stirs forgotten feelings, leading from detachment to a rediscovered sense of wonder and hope.

Character Sketch

(Not applicable)The poem reflects the speaker’s emotions and nature’s presence, but does not include characters in the traditional sense.

Themes

Theme	Description
Arrival of Spring	The poem highlights seasonal change through light and birdsong.
Innocence and Memory	Childhood memories of boredom contrast with sudden joy.
Nature and Emotion	The beauty of spring awakens emotions in the speaker.
Transformation and Hope	The arrival of spring brings renewal and inner happiness.

Literary Devices / Poetic Devices

Device	Example / Explanation
Imagery	“Light, chill and yellow,” “serene foreheads of houses” create vivid visuals.
Metaphor	“Fresh-peeled voice” compares the bird’s song to freshness and clarity.
Simile	“Feel like a child” likens the speaker’s wonder to innocence.
Personification	Light is described as “bathing” houses, giving it human-like qualities.
Repetition	“It will be spring soon” emphasizes anticipation.

Title Justification

The title Coming is simple yet profound. It refers to the coming of spring, the arrival of birdsong, and the awakening of joy in the speaker’s heart. The word “coming” suggests arrival and renewal, both in nature and in the poet’s emotions. By capturing the seasonal change alongside a personal transformation, the title reflects the essence of the poem: the anticipation of hope and happiness brought by spring.

One-Mark Questions

Q1. What natural event does the thrush’s song signal in the poem?

Answer: The thrush’s song signals the arrival of spring, bringing freshness and surprise to the surroundings.

Q2. How is the speaker’s childhood described in the poem?

Answer: The speaker’s childhood is described as “a forgotten boredom,” meaning it was dull and uneventful.

Q3. Why does the speaker compare himself to a child?

Answer: The speaker compares himself to a child because the experience fills him with innocent wonder and unexplained happiness.

Q4. What does the phrase “fresh-peeled voice” refer to?

Answer: The phrase “fresh-peeled voice” refers to the thrush’s song, which is described as new, clear, and refreshing.

Q5. What is the mood of the poem by the end?

Answer: The mood of the poem by the end is gentle happiness, uplifted by the song and the coming of spring.

Three-Mark Questions

Q1. How does the poet describe the environment at the start of the poem?

Answer: The poet describes the environment with “light, chill and yellow” spreading across the houses in the evening. The rooftops appear calm and peaceful, giving a sense of quiet transition. A thrush begins to sing in the garden among laurel, introducing a fresh, vibrant atmosphere. This setting prepares for the emotional renewal that follows in the poem.

Q2. Explain the emotional change the speaker experiences in the poem.

Answer: The speaker begins by reflecting on a dull childhood, calling it “a forgotten boredom.” At first, he feels detached and uninterested. The thrush’s song, however, awakens a sudden joy within him. The experience is compared to a child witnessing adults reconciling, sensing happiness without fully understanding. This marks an emotional transformation from detachment to innocent delight.

Q3. Why is the moment of "adult reconciling" important in the poem?

Answer: The moment of “adult reconciling” is important because it symbolizes mysterious happiness. The child in that situation does not fully understand but still feels joy, just as the poet feels upon hearing the thrush. It reflects reconciliation not only between people but also within the poet’s heart. The metaphor enriches the poem’s depth by linking innocence with emotional renewal.

Q4. How does nature influence the speaker’s emotions in the poem?

Answer: Nature influences the speaker’s emotions through the soft evening light and the thrush’s birdsong. These natural images gradually lift his mood from dullness to joy. The change of season, especially the arrival of spring, becomes a symbol of transformation. The speaker’s inner world mirrors the outer world, showing how closely nature and emotions are connected.

Q5. In what way does the poem highlight the theme of transformation?

Answer: The poem highlights transformation through the contrast between the speaker’s dull past and his joyful present. His childhood is remembered as boring, but the song of the thrush and the spring evening alter his feelings. The shift resembles a child’s sudden wonder at adult laughter. This transformation symbolizes how small changes in nature can renew emotions and bring hope.

Value-Based Question

Q1. What can we learn from the poem about finding happiness in everyday moments?

Answer: The poem teaches that happiness often lies in small, everyday experiences. The arrival of spring and the thrush’s song awaken joy in the speaker, even though he recalls his past as dull. This shows that beauty and hope can be found in simple natural events. The lesson is to remain open to such moments, as they can lift the spirit and bring renewal. By appreciating everyday wonders, life becomes richer and more meaningful.

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