COMING (Woven Words)

ABOUT THE POET 

Philip Larkin, in full Philip Arthur Larkin, (1922 England—died 1985) most representative and highly regarded of the poets who gave expression to a clipped, antiromantic sensibility prevalent in English verse in the 1950s. Larkin was educated at University of Oxford on a scholarship, an experience that provided material for his first novel, Jill (1946; rev. ed. 1964). (His first book of poetry, The North Ship, was published at his own expense in 1945.) Another novel, A Girl in Winter, followed in 1947. He became well known with The Less Deceived (1955), a volume of verse .

On longer evenings,

Light, chill and yellow,

Bathes the serene

Foreheads of houses.

A thrush sings,

Laurel-surrounded

In the deep bare garden,

Its fresh-peeled voice

Astonishing the brickwork.

It will be spring soon,

It will be spring soon—

And I, whose childhood

Is a forgotten boredom,

Feel like a child

Who comes on a scene

Of adult reconciling,

And can understand nothing

But the unusual laughter,

And starts to be happy.

Thrush- The thrush is considered as a totem bird, that is it has the power of announcing the coming of seasons
Laurel- it is a shrub with yellow or white flowers and laurels are often worn as symbols of victory.

1. What does the bird in the poem announce? How is this related to the title, ‘Coming’?
The bird in the poem announced the arrival of the spring with its beautiful song. It symbolises that everyone are ready to welcome spring awaiting the arrival of spring.
2. Why is the speaker’s childhood described as ‘a forgotten boredom’?
The poet may not have had a pleasant childhood. His childhood might have been monotonous he is unable to bring out any sweet memories therefore he calls it as a forgotten boredom.
3. What causes the element of surprise when the child comes on the scene of ‘adult reconciling’?
The poet is transformed into a child. He feels happy like a child who feels happy just by watching elders reconciling with each other. The child comprehends nothing yet smiles just because the adults are happy. This might appear surprising however if one may look more closely the scene reflects the innocence of a child. Probably the poet has tried to make a point that our happiness lies in others happiness. The whole thought makes Larkin happy and he wonders about the mystiques of universe and human life.
4. What two things are compared in the poem?

Philip Larkin, in his poem Coming, celebrates the advent of the new season, spring, with the “fresh-peeled voice” of the thrush. He talks about spring comes after a harsh winter. Similarly he compares human life and how adults get adjusted and reconcile to all types of situations in life hoping for the better when there is a difficult situation. When there is winter there is always spring.

5. How do you respond to these lines?

Light, chill and yellow,
Bathes the serene
Foreheads of houses

The poem Coming by Philip Larkin is dedicated to the beauty the spring brings along with it. It is a celebration of humanity. In the beginning, the poet creates a picturesque in the mind of a reader. Larkin creates a beautiful evening scenery. The longer evenings of the spring are crowned by the forehead of calm houses’ roof tops, washed down by the chilly and yellow light of the setting sun. The reader is imparted with beautiful imagery of the whole environment sitting serenely and enjoying the sun going down as the spring beckons. They all dance to the humming of the thrush in the deep garden. It feels like the whole nature has come alive in the lovely evening and join the party to welcome the coming of the spring.

6. Comment on the use of the phrase ‘fresh-peeled voice’.

Larkin uses the “fresh-peeled voice” of the thrush as an adjective to beautify the evening setting of the new season, the spring. It hums repeatedly that “it will be spring soon”. Its singing marks an “astonishing” effect on the brickwork of the houses.

7. What does spring symbolise?

In this poem, Philip Larkin expresses his feelings about the coming of spring. He has used several poetic techniques to highlight the symbolism of spring and how it is a season which needs to be celebrated. In the world of poetry, spring is considered to be highly allegorical. Spring may symbolise birth or renewal. It is also considered by some as the season of growth, when flowers blossom and leaves and plants start to grow again.

8. Justify the title ‘coming’?
The title ‘Coming’ is itself highly suggestive. It’s a one word title and yet it clearly mirrors the poet’s impatience for spring to come. In terms of structure, the poem is an uninterrupted 19 lines one and this structure might be reflecting the poet’s continuous urge for spring. Spring is the season which comes after the cold and dark winter days, so it brings along the hope for hot and cozy days. Only people in cold countries feel the importance of spring.
9. Why does the poet say light chill and yellow in the opening lines?
The poet has used the colour imagery ‘yellow’, not only to show how colourful days are during spring as compared to dark winter days but also because the colour ‘yellow’ stands as symbols of happiness, optimism and freshness.
10. What is the poetic technique used here?

Pathetic fallacy is one of the poetic techniques used by the poet throughout this poem. This is a technique in which seasons or weather conditions are used to reflect human emotions. Indeed spring seems to be having great effects on the poet. The transition from winter to spring is shown to bring transformations in the poet as well. The ending line of the poem shows how the coming of spring will bring happiness to the poet.

11. How does Larkin vividly convey his response to the coming of spring in this poem?
He sees the coming spring, and wishes, through the use of repetition, for its swift arrival. The narrator continues on to state, using a long metaphor, that the happiness he feels over the arrival of spring is comparable to that which a child feels who sees a reconciliation between adults.