Coming

Question 1

how does Larkin use rhyme in Coming to explore his themes?

Answer 1

• written in free verse
• perhaps intended to represent the overflowing passion and excitement of the main character, as he observes the coming of new life.
• lack of rhyme and rhythm creates an untainted, unframed moment

Question 2

how does Larkin use rhythm in Coming to explore his themes?

Answer 2

weak endings hint at something unsaid or unseen

Question 3

analyse the title of Coming

Answer 3

• present tense; shows how speaker is in the moment
• connotations of excitement, anticipation

Question 4

analyse the quote ‘Light, chill and yellow’ from Coming

Answer 4

• ‘light’ is symbolic of truth, being enlightened, and genuine enjoyment
  colour imagery of ‘yellow’ is positive, tranquil, calm; suggestive of sunrise and new beginnings
• there is a contrast between the colour imagery of ‘yellow’ being warm, and the light which is ‘chill’ reflecting battle between spring and winter
• simple language is reminiscent of childhood
• ‘l’ alliteration brings a fluid, hypnotic, and dreamlike feel
• pathetic fallacy highlights ability of nature to shift emotional states

Question 5

analyse the quote ‘foreheads’ from Coming

Answer 5

• personification mimics the imagination of childhood, suggesting a joyful and creative perception of the world
• could be a reference to baptism, as the changing seasons become a cleansing process bringing serenity and hope

Question 6

analyse the quote ‘laurel-surrounded’ from Coming

Answer 6

laurel is a symbol of victory and celebration; it is an evergreen, perhaps suggesting he feels as if his joy will never fade, or perhaps as a remnant of winter

Question 7

analyse the quote ‘deep, bare garden’ from Coming

Answer 7

• reminiscent of winter, suggesting mundanity and bleakness
• ‘bare’ may be anticipatory of new life
• juxtaposition of spring and winter makes spring feel better
• contrast between ‘l’ and sibilant sounds with plosives may present the thrush as a harbinger of warmth, struggling to break through
• there is a limited/economical use of verbs, making it feel unnaturally still

Question 8

analyse the quote ‘it will be spring soon’ from Coming

Answer 8

• spring is symbolic of new life and beginnings, joy and change
  repetition is similar to a monosyllabic, - childlike chant; perhaps slowing pace in anticipation of focus shift to emphasise change; perhaps showing childlike excitement; perhaps reassuring himself that it gets better and guarding against negativity of winter
• volta occurs at extended hyphenated pause where the focus shifts to him and childhood, away from nature, reflecting the passage of time

Question 9

analyse the quote ‘feel like a child’ from Coming

Answer 9

• simile suggests innocence, naivete, and excitement suggesting that spring renews him and gives him the chance to recreate his childhood as the cycle of seasons mimic cycle of life
• perhaps re-experiencing life as a child, as it should have been; with joy, not boredom

Question 10

analyse the quote ‘of adult reconciling / and can understand nothing / but the unusual laughter / and starts to be happy’ from Coming

Answer 10

• adult-child relationship becomes metaphorical for speaker and his relationship with nature as the speaker experiences wonder at the beauty of spring which invigorates him, but he can’t understand why; represents his inability to understand the reasons or rules of life and the bigger picture, but his choice to be happy regardless
• ‘and…but…and’ repeated conjunctions has childlike storytelling
• ‘unusual laughter’ may suggest he finds joy in the little things
• ‘can understand nothing’ may suggest he is ignorantly happy, unaware of the fragility of a ‘reconciliation’ and that unhappiness is easily hidden, even in a ‘good’ life
• universal/formative experience
• ‘starts to be happy’ may reflect the exit from a cold, harsh winter