The Laburnum Top

Stanza 1.
The poet Ted Hughes draws our attention to the mellow scene
of the Laburnum tree standing peaceful and still in the Autumn sunlight
on an afternoon in September. The thick green leaves had started turning
yellow and the seeds had fallen.
The Laburnum was chosen well by the goldfinch to build its nest in as the seeds
were poisonous so some predators would avoid the tree. Its dense green leaves
would also serve to hide the nest. It is intersting to note that the colour yellow
dominates the scene in nature where the element of camouflage is important
for the survival of the small goldfinch and the protection of its nest. The small bird
itself has touches of yellow and a coloured stripe across its face helping it to hide
among the leaves.
Stanza 2.
The word ‘till’ draws us back to the silent stillness of the first line , which changes
when the mother goldfinch arrives. She arrives suddenly and perches at the end
of the branch watching out ,alert for any predator that might have followed her
movement or chirrup. With light quick movements she enters the
density of the foliage to reach her nest. The nest containing the fledgelings is
described as the the engine and the whole tree the machine. The poet has used
these words of modern day life to give a dynamic image to the scene in nature.
The mother goldfinch brings food and the fledglings wake up with great
excitement which bring the tree to life with their chitterings and trillings. The still
tree is full of energy and life as the nestlings flap their wings and this makes the
nest , the ‘ engine’ of the ‘machine’ the Laburnum tremble. The mother bird
‘stokes’ or feeds the young ones till they are replete.
Stanza 3.
The poet uses the words ‘whistle- chirrup whisperings’ to echo the actual delicate
sounds of the goldfinch through the literary device called Onomatopoia.
The small bird makes a move to the branch end cautiously , then ‘launches’
skywards.
The Last Line
The brevity of the last short line brings us back to the idea that the Laburnam has
once more reverted to its quiet , still state in the afternoon radiant sunlight. The
word ‘empty’ shows us that the Laburnum is devoid of sound and movement , or
any thrill .
Literary Devices
Imagery –The Laburnum in the Autumn sunlight
Showing her barred face identity mask
She launches away towards the infinite

Simile- Then sleek as a lizard ,and abrupt

Metaphor- a machine starts up
- the engine of her family
Onomatopoeia- whistle-chirrup whisperings
Alliteration- September sunlight

Q1 . What has the bird’s movements been compared to?

The mother gold finch – small light bird
-sleek as a lizard- (simile) quick , alert, abrupt,
-arrives suddenly, unexpected- startlement
-departs in the same manner

Q2 . ”The whole tree trembles and thrills.

a. Why does the tree tremble?
-nest built on the light branches of Laburnam
- Fledglings awaken at mother’s arrival
- hungry and excited , flap wings –shakes the nest
-tree moves as a result
b. What does thrills refer to?
- the fledglings excited by mother’return with food
- chitterings, trillings –shows their joy, thrill,
- silent tree changes- full of energy due to sound and movement of nestlings
Q.3. How have the words machine and engine been used?
- images from the modern world - both used as metaphors
- the whole tree is like a silent machine waiting to be started up
- the nest with the fledglings- the engine of the machine is energised by
the goldfinch, likened to a stoker bringing the tree to life with sound and
motion.