Chapter the-laburnum-top: The Laburnum Top | Short Questions

When the goldfinch enters the thick part of the branches, the tree suddenly 'starts up' like a machine. The silence is replaced by a chorus of chitterings, the tremor of wings, and high-pitched trillings from her young ones. The poet says the 'whole tree trembles and thrills.' This change is significant because it shows how the presence of a single mother bird can energize an entire environment, turning a static, silent tree into a vibrating hub of life and family activity.

The 'barred face identity mask' refers to the specific markings on the goldfinch's face, which often include stripes or bars. Because the bird is mostly yellow and blends in with the yellowing Laburnum leaves, these dark bars on her face are her most distinguishing feature. This 'mask' is how she is recognized and identified. It is a beautiful poetic image that suggests the bird is hiding behind the foliage, and only her unique facial patterns reveal her presence to the world outside.

The bird's departure is described as a mysterious and delicate event. After showing herself at the branch end, she launches away into the 'infinite' sky with 'eerie delicate whistle-chirrup whisperings.' This description is important because it contrasts the loud 'machine' noise she made inside the tree. Her exit is ghostly and soft, suggesting that she is returning to the vastness of the sky, leaving the tree to settle back into its natural state of quietness and solitude once again.

The tree 'trembles and thrills' because of the sudden burst of energy from the baby birds inside the nest. When the mother goldfinch arrives with food, the chicks get excited, chirping loudly and flapping their wings. This collective movement and noise are so intense that the physical structure of the tree seems to shake. This phrase is used to show that the tree itself has 'come alive' through the emotions and physical energy of the birds living within its branches.

The 'September sunlight' is significant because it establishes the season as autumn, a time of transition. The yellow light of the afternoon matches the yellow flowers and leaves of the Laburnum tree, as well as the feathers of the goldfinch. This creates a theme of camouflage and harmony in nature. It also suggests a sense of ending or maturity, as the seeds have fallen and the leaves are changing, making the burst of life from the bird feel even more precious.