Gerard Manley Hopkins

Young Gerard Manley Hopkins

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Alfred William Garrett; William Alexander Comyn Macfarlane; Gerard Manley Hopkins by Thomas C. Bayfield

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Gerard Manley Hopkins

Gerard Manley Hopkins (28 July 1844 – 8 June 1889) was an English poet, Catholic convert, and Jesuit priest, whose posthumous fame established him among the leading Victorian poets. His manipulation of prosody (particularly his concept of sprung rhythm and use of imagery) established him as an innovative writer in a period of creative evolution within English literature.

Life

Gerard Manley Hopkins was born in Stratford, Essex, England, as the first of nine children to Manley and Catherine (Smith) Hopkins. His family was deeply religious, with ties to the High Church tradition of Anglicanism. However, in 1866, Hopkins converted to Roman Catholicism under the influence of John Henry Newman, a leader of the Oxford Movement and later a cardinal in the Catholic Church. This conversion had a profound impact on Hopkins's life and work, leading him to burn much of his early poetry, which he deemed not reflective of his new faith.

In 1868, Hopkins entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and was ordained as a priest in 1877. His life as a Jesuit included teaching classics at Stonyhurst College, a Jesuit school in Lancashire, and serving as a parish priest in various locations, including Liverpool, Glasgow, and Dublin. Despite the demands of his religious duties, Hopkins continued to write poetry, although he published only a few poems during his lifetime.

Poetry

Hopkins's poetry is marked by his innovative use of language and meter. He developed the concept of sprung rhythm, a poetic rhythm designed to mimic the natural patterns of speech, which was a departure from the traditional metrical patterns of English poetry. This technique, along with his use of alliteration, assonance, and complex imagery, creates a distinctive musicality and intensity in his work.

His major themes include nature, religion, and the individual's relationship with God. Some of his most famous poems, such as "The Windhover," "Pied Beauty," and "Carrion Comfort," explore these themes through vivid imagery and emotional depth. Hopkins's poetry also reflects his deep appreciation for the natural world, seen in his detailed observations of landscapes and wildlife.

Despite his innovative work, Hopkins's poems were not published in his lifetime, except for a few that appeared in Jesuit publications. It was not until 1918, nearly 30 years after his death, that his friend Robert Bridges, then Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, published the first collection of Hopkins's poetry, bringing his work to public attention.

Legacy

Today, Gerard Manley Hopkins is recognized as one of the most important poets of the Victorian era. His work has influenced a wide range of poets and writers, and his poems are studied for their stylistic innovation, depth of emotion, and spiritual insight. Hopkins's exploration of nature, his struggle with despair, and his ultimate faith in divine grace continue to resonate with readers and scholars alike.

Selected Works

• The Windhover
• Pied Beauty
• Carrion Comfort
• God’s Grandeur

See Also

• Victorian literature
• Prosody (poetry)
• Catholic literature