Question

What does the meaning of the line barred face identity mask?

Answer 1

The laburnum tree has long stringed clusters of flowers hanging from its branches-they're called racemes.since the goldfinch is mostly yellow,it appears that these would camouflage it.hence the part 'identity mask'.however,it has black bars on its face and wings which help to identify it.hence 'barred face'.

If you want to look for a deeper meaning,it means that even though the goldfinch has become a part of the laburnum tree,by hiding behind its flowers,it will always essentially be different from it because while it has life and vivacity,and the endless world to explore before it,the tree is stuck where it is,in silence and solitude.

I think this poem illustrates the difference between middle age(tree) and youth(bird).because,if you'll notice,the tree is described in autumn,and middle age is often called the autumn of one's life.whereas the goldfinch,being a bird,can always fly to a sunnier climate.it has the 'infinite'-an allusion to the whole world-before it.

So barred face identity mask would be a way of referring to the difference between the youth and the middle aged.sometimes when middle aged people interact with teens,they remember their own youth and feel young,but this youth is only temporary-when the young 'launch away toward the infinite',their lives become empty and boring again(the laburnum subsides to empty).

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Here is ur answer mate,

It means that the bird Goldfinch's barred face gives a look of its face.This look of the bird helps to recognise itself.

Hope it helps...................