- 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.
Coming
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Learning Objectives
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Revision Notes & Summary
TopNotes 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
- Bird's Announcement: What does the bird in the poem announce? How is this related to the title, "Coming"?
- Childhood Description: Why is the speaker's childhood described as 'a forgotten boredom'?
- Element of Surprise: What causes the element of surprise when the child comes on the scene of 'adult reconciling'?
- Comparative Elements: What two things are compared in the poem?
- Response to Imagery: How do you respond to these lines?
- Light, chill and yellow,
- Bathes the serene
- Foreheads of houses
- Phrase Analysis: Comment on the use of the phrase 'fresh-peeled voice'.
Try This Out
- 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?
- Spring Poems: Do you know of other spring poems? How is this poem different from them?
Suggested Reading
- Poem: 'Ambulances' by Philip Larkin
Practice Test – MCQs, True/False
TopMultiple Choice Questions
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Coming
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Locked • AI Weakness TrackerTrue or False
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The excerpt states that the poem 'Coming' is from the volume 'The Less Deceived'.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
'The North Ship' is listed as one of Philip Larkin's principal works.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Philip Larkin was indeed born in Coventry, England, as mentioned in the excerpt.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Philip Larkin's themes include the inexplicableness of the poet's survival, among others.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The poem 'Coming' is taken from the volume 'The Less Deceived', not 'High Windows'.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Larkin's themes cover love, change, disenchantment, and death's inevitability.
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: True
Solution:
The poem 'Ambulances' by Philip Larkin is suggested for further reading.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Philip Larkin was born in Coventry, England, not Scotland.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The poem 'Coming' is taken from the volume 'The Less Deceived'.
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