Coming by Philip Larkin A Fascinating Guide for Students

“Coming by Philip Larkin A Fascinating Guide for Students” offers a detailed understanding of this thought-provoking poem. This guide includes a summary, line-by-line explanation, themes, word meanings, and Q&A to help students grasp its deeper meaning. Additionally, it provides extra practice questions and summaries in Hindi and Urdu. Perfect for Class 11 Elective English students and poetry enthusiasts!

Introduction of Coming by Philip Larkin

Philip Larkin, a renowned British poet, captures a moment of quiet transition in his poem Coming. This poem, included in the Woven Words textbook for Class 11 Elective English, is a beautiful meditation on the arrival of spring. The poet’s words paint an image of a peaceful evening, where nature signals the change of seasons. Through simple yet powerful imagery, Larkin conveys a deep emotional shift—one that takes the speaker back to childhood memories. This NCERT solution provides an insightful summary and explanation of Coming to help students understand its meaning and themes.

Complete Text of Coming by Philip Larkin

Coming
By: Philip Larkin

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.

Summary of Coming by Philip Larkin

Larkin’s poem Coming describes an early evening scene, hinting at the arrival of spring. The poem opens with an image of golden light spreading over houses as the day lengthens. A thrush, hidden among laurel bushes, sings with a fresh, clear voice, making even the solid brickwork seem amazed. The repetition of It will be spring soon highlights anticipation and change.

The poet then shifts focus to himself. He recalls childhood as a dull memory, yet the scene before him makes him feel young again. He likens this feeling to a child witnessing adults making peace. The child may not understand the situation but senses joy in the laughter and, without knowing why, begins to feel happy. The poem beautifully captures the mysterious yet uplifting effect of seasonal change on human emotions.

For Class 11 Poetry students, this poem serves as a fine example of how Larkin blends ordinary moments with deep reflections. This summary will help students grasp the core message and emotional depth of Coming.

Important Themes in Coming by Philip Larkin

The Arrival of Spring

Spring is a key element in Coming. The poem highlights the transition from winter to spring through natural imagery and changing light. The golden evening glow, the singing thrush, and the laurel bushes all point towards renewal and warmth. Larkin uses simple observations to capture the quiet beauty of this seasonal change. Spring, in literature, often symbolizes hope and rebirth. Here, it brings with it an emotional shift, stirring forgotten feelings within the speaker. The poem subtly suggests that nature’s transformations have a profound impact on human emotions and memories.

Childhood and Forgotten Memories

Larkin’s poem touches on the theme of childhood as something distant and forgotten. The speaker recalls his childhood as a forgotten boredom, showing how time erases the intensity of early years. Yet, as he experiences the sights and sounds of spring, a childlike happiness stirs within him. This moment suggests that even when childhood memories fade, the emotions connected to them can resurface unexpectedly. The poem implies that simple experiences, such as witnessing a seasonal shift, can reconnect people to emotions they thought were lost.

The Mystery of Adult Emotions

The poem presents an interesting contrast between adult understanding and a child’s perspective. The speaker compares his feeling to that of a child who walks in on adults reconciling. The child does not comprehend the depth of the situation but senses the change in mood and responds to it. Similarly, the speaker does not fully grasp why the coming of spring affects him, but he feels its emotional pull. This theme highlights how emotions can be complex and difficult to explain, yet deeply felt.

The Power of Nature in Emotional Change

Larkin emphasizes how nature influences human emotions. The thrush’s song and the changing light seem ordinary, yet they spark something deep within the speaker. Nature, without words or explanation, has the ability to evoke joy, nostalgia, and reflection. The poem suggests that moments of beauty in the natural world can shift moods, reminding people of past happiness or awakening new emotions. This theme aligns with the Romantic tradition of poetry, where nature is often seen as a source of inspiration and emotional depth.

Line by Line Explanation of Coming by Philip Larkin

On longer evenings,

The poet describes how the days are getting longer, a sign that winter is ending and spring is coming.

Light, chill and yellow,

The light is cold but golden, indicating the transition between seasons.

Bathes the serene

The golden light spreads gently over everything, making the surroundings look peaceful.

Foreheads of houses.

The rooftops of houses are bathed in this soft evening light.

A thrush sings,

A bird, the thrush, begins to sing.

Laurel-surrounded

The thrush is hidden among laurel bushes.

In the deep bare garden,

The garden still looks empty from winter, but signs of life are emerging.

Its fresh-peeled voice

The bird’s song is fresh and clear, as if it has just been uncovered.

Astonishing the brickwork.

The song is so beautiful that even the lifeless bricks seem amazed by it.

It will be spring soon,

The poet repeats this to show excitement and certainty about the changing season.

It will be spring soon—

The repetition emphasizes how eagerly he looks forward to spring’s arrival.

And I, whose childhood

The poet now shifts focus to himself and his memories of childhood.

Is a forgotten boredom,

He describes his childhood as dull and mostly forgotten.

Feel like a child

Despite this, the arrival of spring makes him feel young again.

Who comes on a scene

He compares himself to a child who unexpectedly walks into a situation.

Of adult reconciling,

The child sees adults making peace after an argument.

And can understand nothing

The child does not fully understand what is happening.

But the unusual laughter,

All the child notices is that the adults are laughing, which seems strange to them.

And starts to be happy.

Even without understanding, the child feels happy because of the positive atmosphere. Similarly, the poet feels happiness at the arrival of spring, even if he does not fully understand why.

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Words Meaning of Coming by Philip Larkin

Word / Expression	Simple Meaning
Longer evenings	Days are getting longer as seasons change.
Chill	Slightly cold.
Yellow light	Soft golden light, like the evening sun.
Bathes	Covers or spreads over something.
Serene	Calm and peaceful.
Foreheads of houses	The tops or front parts of houses.
Thrush	A type of small songbird.
Laurel-surrounded	Covered or surrounded by laurel bushes.
Deep bare garden	A garden that looks empty and lifeless.
Fresh-peeled voice	A clear and new-sounding song, like something just uncovered.
Astonishing the brickwork	The bird’s song is so beautiful that even the walls seem surprised.
It will be spring soon	Spring is about to arrive.
Forgotten boredom	A dull past that is now mostly forgotten.
Feel like a child	The poet suddenly feels young again.
Comes on a scene	Arrives at a place or situation.
Adult reconciling	Grown-ups making peace after a disagreement.
Understand nothing	Cannot figure out what is happening.
Unusual laughter	A kind of laughter that seems different or unexpected.
Starts to be happy	Begins to feel joy without knowing why.

Coming Questions and Answers

UNDERSTANDING THE POEM

1. What does the bird in the poem announce? How is this related to the title, ‘Coming’?

The bird’s song announces the arrival of spring. Its voice fills the quiet garden, signalling the end of winter. This connects to the title Coming, as the poem captures the transition from cold, dull days to warmth and renewal.

2. Why is the speaker’s childhood described as ‘a forgotten boredom’?

The speaker recalls his childhood as uneventful and dull, something he barely remembers. However, the beauty of spring stirs emotions in him, making him feel young again. This contrast highlights how certain moments can unexpectedly bring back lost feelings.

3. What causes the element of surprise when the child comes on the scene of ‘adult reconciling’?

The child does not understand the complexity of adult relationships but notices their unusual laughter after reconciling. This laughter surprises the child, as it is different from what they are used to. The poet compares this to his own sudden happiness at the arrival of spring.

4. What two things are compared in the poem?

The poet compares the arrival of spring with a child witnessing adults making peace. Just as the child does not fully understand the situation but feels happy, the poet experiences unexpected joy as spring comes, even though he cannot explain why.

5. How do you respond to these lines?

“Light, chill and yellow, / Bathes the serene / Foreheads of houses”
These lines beautifully describe the soft golden evening light that marks the change of season. The imagery creates a peaceful mood, showing how nature subtly transforms the surroundings. The use of ‘foreheads of houses’ gives a human-like quality to buildings, making the scene more vivid.

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

The phrase fresh-peeled voice suggests that the bird’s song is clear and new, like something just uncovered. It highlights the sharpness and freshness of the sound, making it seem almost magical against the quiet garden. The phrase also hints at renewal, much like spring itself.

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TRY THIS OUT

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 koel (Asian cuckoo) is known for announcing the arrival of spring. Its melodious call is often heard at the beginning of the vasant (spring) season. Just like the thrush in Larkin’s poem, the koel’s song marks a change in nature.

2. Do you know of other spring poems? How is this poem different from them?

Many poets have written about spring, such as Daffodils by William Wordsworth and Loveliest of Trees by A.E. Housman. Unlike these poems, which celebrate spring’s beauty openly, Coming takes a more reflective approach. Larkin focuses on how the season stirs emotions, linking nature’s change with personal memories and unexpected joy.

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Coming Extra Questions and Answers

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What mood does the poem ‘Coming’ create?

The poem creates a calm and reflective mood. It captures the peaceful beauty of spring’s arrival while also evoking a sense of nostalgia and unexpected happiness.

2. What role does light play in the poem?

Light symbolises change and renewal. The soft yellow evening light signals the transition from winter to spring, bringing warmth and a sense of hope.

3. How does the bird’s song affect the surroundings?

The bird’s song fills the quiet garden, making the still brick walls seem ‘astonished.’ This suggests that nature’s beauty can bring life even to lifeless things.

4. Why does the poet repeat the line ‘It will be spring soon’?

The repetition emphasises the certainty and anticipation of spring’s arrival, reinforcing the theme of renewal.

5. What is the significance of the phrase ‘deep bare garden’?

It highlights the contrast between winter’s emptiness and the life that spring is about to bring.

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SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

6. How does the poem ‘Coming’ explore the theme of time?

The poem contrasts the past and present. The poet recalls his childhood as dull but finds himself feeling young again as spring arrives. This shows how time moves in cycles, bringing back forgotten emotions.

7. What does the poet mean by ‘Astonishing the brickwork’?

The bird’s song is so clear and fresh that even the brick walls seem surprised. This suggests that nature has the power to awaken and transform everything around it.

8. How does Philip Larkin use imagery in ‘Coming’?

Larkin uses vivid imagery like ‘light, chill and yellow’ and ‘fresh-peeled voice’ to paint a picture of the evening and the bird’s song. His descriptions make the scene feel real and full of life.

9. How is the poem ‘Coming’ different from typical spring poems?

Unlike traditional spring poems that focus on nature’s beauty, Coming also explores personal emotions. It connects the change in seasons with the poet’s unexpected happiness and childhood memories.

10. What does the child in the poem fail to understand?

The child sees adults laughing after making peace but does not understand the reasons behind their emotions. This is similar to how the poet feels unexpected happiness at spring’s arrival without knowing why.

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LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

11. How does Philip Larkin present the contrast between nature and human emotions in ‘Coming’?

In Coming, Larkin contrasts the awakening of nature with human emotions. The poem begins with the peaceful imagery of an evening, where the soft yellow light and a singing thrush signal the arrival of spring. Nature’s transformation is clear and visible. However, the poet’s emotions are more complex. He recalls his childhood as dull and uneventful but suddenly feels like a child again, experiencing happiness without understanding why. This contrast shows how nature moves in predictable cycles, while human emotions can be uncertain and surprising. The poem suggests that the beauty of nature can awaken forgotten feelings, even if we do not fully understand them.

12. What does ‘Coming’ suggest about the connection between seasons and human emotions?

The poem highlights how the change of seasons can influence our emotions. The arrival of spring brings warmth, new life, and a sense of renewal. The poet, who remembers his childhood as boring, suddenly feels young again as he observes the season’s transformation. This suggests that nature has the power to awaken deep emotions within us. Just as winter gives way to spring, dullness and monotony can be replaced by unexpected joy. Larkin’s poem beautifully captures this connection, showing how the simplest changes in nature can bring about profound personal feelings.

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Coming by Philip Larkin Summary in Hindi

फिलिप लैर्किन की कविता Coming बसंत ऋतु के आगमन और उससे जुड़ी भावनाओं का वर्णन करती है। यह कविता शाम के समय को चित्रित करती है, जब हल्की ठंडी पीली रोशनी घरों पर पड़ रही होती है। इस शांति भरे वातावरण में, एक थ्रश पक्षी अपनी ताज़ा और स्पष्ट आवाज़ में गाना शुरू करता है। यह गाना न केवल वसंत के आगमन की घोषणा करता है, बल्कि वातावरण में नई ऊर्जा भी भर देता है।

कवि इस बदलाव को देखकर एक अलग तरह की खुशी महसूस करता है। वह अपने बचपन को याद करता है, जिसे वह “भूल चुका उबाऊपन” कहता है। इससे पता चलता है कि उसका बचपन बहुत खास नहीं था या शायद उसने इसे कभी महत्व नहीं दिया। लेकिन अब, जब वह वसंत के इस नज़ारे को देखता है, तो वह अचानक खुद को एक बच्चे जैसा महसूस करने लगता है। यह वैसा ही है जैसे कोई बच्चा किसी बड़ी घटना को समझे बिना ही खुश हो जाता है।

कविता यह दर्शाती है कि कैसे प्रकृति का बदलाव हमारी भावनाओं को भी प्रभावित कर सकता है। वसंत का आगमन सिर्फ पेड़ों और फूलों के लिए नहीं, बल्कि इंसानों के लिए भी एक नया जीवन लेकर आता है। लैर्किन की यह कविता बसंत की सुंदरता को केवल दृश्यात्मक रूप में नहीं दिखाती, बल्कि यह दर्शाती है कि यह मौसम हमारे अंदर छुपी भावनाओं को भी जगा सकता है।

Coming by Philip Larkin Summary in Urdu