The Poem 'The Windhover'

Gerard Manley Hopkins: Poetic Mastery in 'The Windhover'

Gerard Manley Hopkins, a distinguished poet of the Victorian Era, crafted the sonnet 'The Windhover' in 1877, drawing upon the splendor of the natural world and his deep religious faith. As a Jesuit priest, Hopkins infused his poetry with his spiritual insights and reverence for creation. The poem features a Kestrel, or Windhover, portrayed with extraordinary agility and beauty, serving as a metaphor for both the wonders of nature and the divine presence of Christ. Hopkins's distinctive poetic style, marked by his innovative use of sprung rhythm, alliteration, and vivid imagery, broke away from the norms of his time and foreshadowed the experimental techniques of Modernist poetry.

Victorian Context and Religious Undertones in 'The Windhover'

Written against the backdrop of the Victorian Era, a time of profound social and religious change in Britain, 'The Windhover' reflects the era's complexities. Queen Victoria's reign from 1837 to 1901 saw the expansion of the British Empire and significant social stratification, alongside gradual political reforms and the Anglican Church's prominence. Hopkins, a Catholic in a predominantly Protestant society, experienced the gradual restoration of Catholic rights, which had been suppressed since the Reformation. His conversion to Catholicism and ordination as a Jesuit priest in 1877 are pivotal to understanding the poem, as they highlight the interplay between his personal faith and the shifting religious landscape of the era.

Influences Shaping 'The Windhover'

'The Windhover' is situated at the intersection of Romanticism, with its focus on emotion and the natural world, and the nascent Modernist movement, characterized by its innovative approaches. Hopkins's poetry serves as a conduit between these literary periods, rejecting the conventional Victorian poetic form in favor of a more personal and introspective style. His exposure to the works of Charles Dickens and other Victorian writers, as well as his own religious and philosophical musings, contributed to the development of his unique poetic voice, which resonates with themes of nature, spirituality, and human emotion.

Analyzing 'The Windhover': Structure and Rhythmic Innovation

'The Windhover' is structured as a Petrarchan sonnet, traditionally associated with love, which Hopkins adapts to convey his admiration for the divine. The sonnet is divided into an octave with a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA and a sestet with a CDCDCD pattern. Hopkins's use of sprung rhythm, a departure from the conventional iambic pentameter, emphasizes the natural cadences of speech and allows for a varying number of unstressed syllables. This rhythmic innovation, along with the use of alliteration and enjambment, creates a fluidity that mirrors the falcon's effortless flight, thus enhancing the poem's thematic depth.

Symbolism and Theological Reflection in 'The Windhover'

'The Windhover' is imbued with symbolism that weaves together the magnificence of the natural world with Christian theology. The falcon symbolizes not only the beauty and power of nature but also the redemptive grace of Christ. Hopkins draws on medieval and biblical imagery, referring to Christ as a "chevalier" and employing terms like "dauphin" to invoke the regal nature of the divine. The poem's agricultural motifs link it to the parables of Christ, while the vivid descriptions of "gall" and "gash gold-vermillion" in the final lines evoke the crucifixion and the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice.

Sound and Imagery in 'The Windhover': A Literary Analysis

In 'The Windhover,' Gerard Manley Hopkins demonstrates a profound command of sound and visual imagery to convey the poem's layered meanings. Through the use of alliteration, assonance, and evocative descriptions, Hopkins invites readers into the dynamic scene of the falcon's flight, engaging their senses and emotions. These literary devices not only enhance the poem's aesthetic quality but also reinforce its thematic significance, encouraging readers to reflect on the intersection of natural beauty and spiritual contemplation as exemplified by the falcon's mastery of the skies.