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Coming

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Summary

Summary of Philip Larkin's Poem 'Coming'

  • Theme: The poem reflects on the transition from childhood to adulthood, capturing the essence of spring and renewal.
  • Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery, such as 'Light, chill and yellow' and 'fresh-peeled voice', to evoke feelings of awakening and joy.
  • Childhood Reflection: The speaker describes their childhood as 'a forgotten boredom', indicating a sense of disconnection from the past.
  • Surprise Element: The poem highlights the surprise and joy of encountering adult reconciliations, symbolizing growth and understanding.
  • Nature's Role: The thrush's song signifies the arrival of spring, linking nature to human emotions and experiences.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the themes of Philip Larkin's poetry, including love, change, disenchantment, and the inevitability of death.
  • Analyze the poem 'Coming' and its relation to the concept of spring.
  • Explore the significance of childhood memories as depicted in the poem.
  • Examine the use of imagery and language in conveying emotions and themes.
  • Discuss the role of nature in Larkin's poetry, particularly in relation to human experiences.

Detailed Notes

Notes on Philip Larkin's Poem 'Coming'

About the Poet

  • Name: Philip Larkin (1922-1985)
  • Birthplace: Coventry, England
  • Literary Movement: Leader of the 'Movement' in English Poetry in the 1950s
  • Notable Works: The North Ship, The Less Deceived, The Whitsun Weddings, High Windows
  • Themes: Love, change, disenchantment, the mystery of survival, inevitability of death

Understanding the Poem

  1. Bird's Announcement: What does the bird in the poem announce? How is this related to the title, "Coming"?
  2. Childhood Description: Why is the speaker's childhood described as 'a forgotten boredom'?
  3. Element of Surprise: What causes the element of surprise when the child comes on the scene of 'adult reconciling'?
  4. Comparative Elements: What two things are compared in the poem?
  5. Response to Imagery: How do you respond to these lines?
    • Light, chill and yellow,
    • Bathes the serene
    • Foreheads of houses
  6. Phrase Analysis: Comment on the use of the phrase 'fresh-peeled voice'.

Try This Out

  1. Spring Bird: 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?
  2. Spring Poems: Do you know of other spring poems? How is this poem different from them?

Suggested Reading

  • Poem: 'Ambulances' by Philip Larkin

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

Not found in provided text.

Practice & Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions

A.

Metaphor

B.

Simile

C.

Personification

D.

Alliteration
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The phrase 'fresh-peeled voice' is a metaphor, comparing the freshness of the bird's song to a freshly peeled fruit.

A.

Romanticism

B.

Modernism

C.

Movement

D.

Imagism
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Philip Larkin was known as a leader of the 'Movement' in English poetry during the fifties.

A.

The inevitability of death

B.

The arrival of spring

C.

The mystery of the poet's survival

D.

The disenchantment of adulthood
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The poem 'Coming' is about the arrival of spring, as indicated by the bird's song.

A.

It suggests a new beginning.

B.

It refers to a loud noise.

C.

It describes an old memory.

D.

It indicates a harsh sound.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The phrase 'fresh-peeled voice' suggests a sense of renewal or a new beginning, often associated with spring.

A.

Love

B.

Adventure

C.

Change

D.

Death's inevitability
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Philip Larkin's themes include love, change, disenchantment, the mystery of the poet's survival, and death's inevitability. Adventure is not a common theme.

A.

It signifies the end of winter.

B.

It heralds the arrival of spring.

C.

It marks the beginning of a new day.

D.

It represents the end of the poem.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The bird's song is often the first sign of spring, which relates to the poem's title 'Coming', indicating the arrival of spring.

A.

Disenchantment

B.

Change

C.

Adventure

D.

Death's inevitability
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Adventure is not mentioned as a theme in Philip Larkin's poetry.

A.

It explores the theme of love.

B.

It depicts the inevitability of death.

C.

It celebrates the beauty of nature.

D.

It focuses on childhood memories.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The poem 'Ambulances' by Philip Larkin explores the theme of the inevitability of death.

A.

A joyful memory

B.

A forgotten boredom

C.

A time of adventure

D.

A mysterious phase
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The speaker's childhood is described as 'a forgotten boredom'.

A.

Cuckoo

B.

Owl

C.

Eagle

D.

Sparrow
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The cuckoo is traditionally known as a bird that signals the arrival of spring in many cultures.

A.

The speaker had a joyful childhood.

B.

The speaker finds childhood memories uninteresting.

C.

The speaker yearns for their childhood.

D.

The speaker's childhood was filled with excitement.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Describing childhood as 'a forgotten boredom' suggests that the speaker finds their past uninteresting and not worth remembering.

A.

As a time of joy and discovery.

B.

As 'a forgotten boredom'.

C.

As a period of intense learning.

D.

As a phase of rebellion.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The speaker's childhood is described as 'a forgotten boredom', indicating a lack of memorable excitement or joy.

A.

London

B.

Coventry

C.

Manchester

D.

Bristol
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Philip Larkin was born in Coventry, England.

A.

High Windows

B.

The Whitsun Weddings

C.

Coming

D.

Ambulances
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The poem 'Coming' is taken from the volume 'The Less Deceived'.

A.

Love

B.

Disenchantment

C.

Adventure

D.

Death's inevitability
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Philip Larkin's poetry often explores themes of love, disenchantment, and death's inevitability, but not adventure.

A.

The North Ship

B.

The Less Deceived

C.

High Windows

D.

The Whitsun Weddings
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The poem 'Coming' is taken from the volume 'The Less Deceived'.

A.

The Beat Generation

B.

The Movement

C.

Romanticism

D.

Existentialism
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Philip Larkin was a leader of 'The Movement' in English Poetry during the 1950s.

A.

The North Ship

B.

Leaves of Grass

C.

The Waste Land

D.

Paradise Lost
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Philip Larkin's principal works include 'The North Ship', 'The Less Deceived', 'The Whitsun Weddings', and 'High Windows'.

A.

Through optimistic and hopeful imagery.

B.

With a sense of disenchantment and inevitability.

C.

Using metaphorical references to nature.

D.

By focusing on historical events.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Philip Larkin's poetry is known for its themes of disenchantment and the inevitability of change, often reflecting a more somber and realistic perspective.

A.

Romanticism

B.

The Movement

C.

Modernism

D.

Imagism
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Philip Larkin was a leading figure in 'The Movement', a group of English writers in the 1950s known for their anti-romantic stance.

A.

It symbolizes the end of winter.

B.

It announces the arrival of a new season.

C.

It signifies the beginning of a new day.

D.

It represents the poet's inner turmoil.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

In the poem 'Coming', the bird's song announces the arrival of spring, symbolizing renewal and change.

A.

Love

B.

Change

C.

Adventure

D.

Death's inevitability
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Adventure is not a commonly explored theme in Philip Larkin's poetry. His works often explore themes like love, change, and death's inevitability.

A.

Melodious tune

B.

Fresh-peeled voice

C.

Harmonious sound

D.

Chirping melody
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The phrase 'fresh-peeled voice' is used to describe a bird's song in the poem.

A.

The North Ship

B.

The Less Deceived

C.

The Whitsun Weddings

D.

The Waste Land
Correct Answer: D

Solution:

'The Waste Land' is not a work by Philip Larkin; it is by T.S. Eliot. The other options are principal works of Larkin.

A.

It symbolizes the purity and newness of the bird's song.

B.

It refers to the harshness of the sound.

C.

It indicates the age of the bird.

D.

It describes the echo of the sound.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The phrase 'fresh-peeled voice' suggests the purity and newness of the bird's song, highlighting its role as a harbinger of spring.

A.

The child's laughter

B.

The child's innocence

C.

The child's sudden appearance

D.

The child's wisdom
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The element of surprise is the child's sudden appearance, interrupting the scene of 'adult reconciling'.

A.

A child appearing on the scene of adult reconciling.

B.

A sudden storm.

C.

A bird singing at night.

D.

A forgotten memory.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The element of surprise in the poem is when a child comes on the scene of 'adult reconciling'.

A.

The North Ship

B.

The Less Deceived

C.

The Whitsun Weddings

D.

High Windows
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The poem 'Coming' is featured in Philip Larkin's collection 'The Less Deceived'.

A.

The North Ship

B.

The Less Deceived

C.

The Whitsun Weddings

D.

The Waste Land
Correct Answer: D

Solution:

The Waste Land is a work by T.S. Eliot, not Philip Larkin. Larkin's principal works include The North Ship, The Less Deceived, and The Whitsun Weddings.

A.

Love

B.

Adventure

C.

Fantasy

D.

Science Fiction
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Love is one of the themes commonly associated with Philip Larkin's poetry.

A.

It signals the end of summer.

B.

It announces the arrival of spring.

C.

It symbolizes the poet's survival.

D.

It represents the inevitability of death.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The song of a bird is often the first sign of spring, which is related to the title 'Coming'.

A.

The arrival of winter

B.

The arrival of spring

C.

The end of summer

D.

The beginning of autumn
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The bird's song is often the first sign of spring, which is related to the title 'Coming'.

A.

The Less Deceived

B.

High Windows

C.

The Whitsun Weddings

D.

The North Ship
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The poem 'Coming' is taken from the volume 'The Less Deceived'.

True or False

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

While Philip Larkin's themes often include the inevitability of death, the poem 'Coming' is not specifically about this theme according to the provided excerpt.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Philip Larkin was born in Coventry, England, not Scotland.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

The excerpt lists death's inevitability as one of the themes in Larkin's poetry.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

'The North Ship' is listed as one of Philip Larkin's principal works.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Philip Larkin's themes include the inexplicableness of the poet's survival, among others.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Philip Larkin's principal works explore themes such as love, change, disenchantment, and death's inevitability.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt mentions that the poem is taken from the volume 'The Less Deceived'.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Larkin's themes cover love, change, disenchantment, and death's inevitability.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The poem 'Ambulances' by Philip Larkin is suggested for further reading.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The poem 'Coming', from 'The Less Deceived', establishes a kinship with the environment.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The poem 'Coming' establishes a kinship with the environment, as mentioned in the excerpt.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

The poem 'Coming' is taken from the volume 'The Less Deceived'.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt states that the poem 'Coming' is from the volume 'The Less Deceived'.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The poem 'Coming' includes comparisons, one of which involves a bird and a child.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

According to the excerpt, 'The North Ship' and 'The Whitsun Weddings' are among Philip Larkin's principal works.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Philip Larkin is recognized as a leader of the 'Movement' in English poetry during the fifties.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Philip Larkin was born in Coventry, England.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Philip Larkin is recognized as a leader of the 'Movement' in English poetry in the fifties.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

The poem 'Coming' is taken from the volume 'The Less Deceived', not 'High Windows'.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt lists 'The Whitsun Weddings' as one of Philip Larkin's principal works.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Philip Larkin's themes encompass love, change, disenchantment, among others.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Philip Larkin was indeed born in Coventry, England, as mentioned in the excerpt.