Class 11 English NCERT Poetry Book Woven words Lesson 3 Coming Questions and Answers.
Understanding the text
1. What does the bird in the poem announce? How is this related to the title, ‘Coming’?
2. Why is the speaker’s childhood described as ‘a forgotten boredom’?
3. What causes the element of surprise when the child comes on the scene of’ adult reconciling’?
4. What two things are compared in the poem?
5. How do you respond to these lines?
Light, chill and yellow.
Bathes the serene
Foreheads of houses
6. Comment on the use of the phrase ‘fresh-peeled voice.’
Answer:
1. What does the bird in the poem announce? How is this related to the title, ‘Coming’?
The bird in the poem announces the arrival of spring, symbolizing new beginnings, renewal, and the passage of time. The bird’s song signals the transition from winter to spring, and this change is metaphorically connected to the poem’s title, “Coming,” which suggests the arrival of something new and refreshing, much like the advent of spring.
2. Why is the speaker’s childhood described as ‘a forgotten boredom’?
The speaker’s childhood is described as “a forgotten boredom” to reflect how, in retrospect, childhood may seem monotonous or uneventful, marked by a lack of excitement or meaning. It could imply the speaker’s adult perspective, where the challenges of adulthood have overshadowed the simple yet sometimes uneventful days of childhood.
3. What causes the element of surprise when the child comes on the scene of adult reconciling?
The element of surprise comes from the sudden intrusion of innocence and joy (the child) into a scene where adults are typically engaged in more serious, possibly burdensome thoughts or reconciliations. The child’s presence contrasts with the adult world, injecting lightness and spontaneity, disrupting the adult reconciling process.
4. What two things are compared in the poem?
The poem compares the joy of a child’s voice (representing innocence, youth, and renewal) with the changes in nature, particularly the onset of spring (represented by the bird’s song). Both symbolize new beginnings, freshness, and a break from the monotony of adult life or the bleakness of winter.
5. How do you respond to these lines?
“Light, chill and yellow.
Bathes the serene
Foreheads of houses.”
These lines create a vivid image of the soft, early morning sunlight bathing the houses in a serene, almost peaceful light. The use of “chill” and “yellow” evokes the coolness of a spring morning with the first hints of warmth. The scene is calming, with light bringing a sense of renewal and tranquility.
6. Comment on the use of the phrase ‘fresh-peeled voice.’
The phrase “fresh-peeled voice” is a metaphor that conveys the clarity, sharpness, and purity of the bird’s song, or possibly the child’s voice. It suggests something new and untouched, like the fresh scent or texture of something newly peeled. It highlights the sense of freshness and vitality associated with youth and springtime.
Try this out
1. The song of a bird is often the first sign of spring. Do you know the bird that signal’s the advent of vasant or spring in our country?
2. Do you know of others spring poems? How is this poem different from them?
Answer:
1. The song of a bird is often the first sign of spring. Do you know the bird that signals the advent of Vasant or spring in our country?
In India, the arrival of spring, or Vasant, is often associated with the song of the Koel (cuckoo). The Koel’s melodious call is considered a harbinger of the Vasant season, symbolizing joy, renewal, and the flourishing of nature after the cold winter. The Koel’s call is celebrated in Indian poetry, music, and festivals as a sign of the rejuvenation brought by spring.
2. Do you know of other spring poems? How is this poem different from them?
Yes, some well-known spring poems include:
- “To Spring” by William Blake: A celebratory poem that invokes spring as a time of growth, beauty, and renewal.
- “Spring” by Christina Rossetti: A reflection on the beauty of nature during spring.
- “Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth: This poem presents spring as a time of reflection on nature and its harmony.
This poem, Coming by Philip Larkin, differs in that it explores the arrival of spring with a mix of nostalgia and reflection on the speaker’s personal emotional state. While most spring poems celebrate the beauty and joy of the season, Larkin’s poem introduces a quiet surprise and connection between the external world of spring and the internal feelings of adults reconciling their own emotions, perhaps even hinting at the lost simplicity of childhood. The tone is more subdued and introspective compared to the exuberant celebration found in other spring poems.