The Poetry of Gerard Hopkins
This collection explores the poet's use of imagery and symbolism to convey themes of nature, spirituality, and social justice. It examines how Hopkins' unique style, characterized by dense allusions and complex syntax, contributes to his exploration of these themes. The book also discusses the historical context in which Hopkins wrote, including the influence of Catholicism and the Victorian era's social and cultural norms.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1918 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Mystical Poetry, Lyric Poetry · 1,278 words
First lines
That Gerard Hopkins is to-day little known, even among rhymers, is an inevitable result of his manner of life and work. He was a priest of the Catholic Church and a member of the Society of Jesus. His faith was the source of his poetry, but his arduous labors in its service left him little time for celebrating it in verse, and made him so indifferent to applause that he never published. Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch put his "The Starlight Night" in the "Oxford Book of Victorian Verse," and he is represented in Orby Shipley's "Carmina Mariana" and H. C. Beeching's "Lyra Sacra. " Several of his poems are included in Volume VIII of "Poets and Poetry of the Century" with a critique by his friend Robert Bridges, and Miss Katherine Bregy has made him the subject of an illuminative essay in her admirable book "The Poet's Chantry. " A scant bibliography indeed for a genuinely inspired poet, the most scrupulous word-artist of the nineteenth century!
What this Textopian page supports
The Poetry of Gerard Hopkins is listed on Textopian as an essay by Joyce Kilmer, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Joyce Kilmer
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Mystical Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Imagery-rich Poetry, Victorian Poetry
- Length: 1,278 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Poetry of Gerard Hopkins by Joyce Kilmer
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Religious Poetry — The primary theme revolves around the grandeur of God and the poet's deep faith, making it fundamentally religious.
- Mystical Poetry — The desire for mystical union with God is evident throughout the work, aligning it with mystical themes.
- Lyric Poetry — The use of personal expression and emotional depth characterizes the lyrical style of the poetry.
- Imagery-rich Poetry — The work is noted for its lavish and intricate imagery, which is a defining feature of the poet's style.
Tags
Poetry Collection · Gerard Manley Hopkins · Victorian Era · Christian Poetry · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Alliteration · Assonance · Onomatopoeia · Free Verse · Innovative Style