An in-depth guide and summary of the poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, God's Grandeur. It is full of example questions and notes on the poem and structure. It also includes an example essay question
greatnesss Metaphor. God's grandeur=electric force. Suggests an undercurrent
that is not always seen, but which builds up tension/pressure that
1. The world is charged with the grandeur of God. sometimes flash out in ways that can be brilliant and dangerous.
Intensity at which its released Comparing God's grandeur to light reflected off shaken foil emphasizes its brief nature.
Grandeur
2. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
begin with
anaphora
Metaphor, greatness going to spread like fire
Both
it =
Olives squeezed for oil Simile, depicts the divine presence
accumulating power subtly, akin to oil
Enjambme
spreading its richness
3. It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
nt
Won’t be less great Why don’t men obey God’s rules Staff
Octave
4. Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod? r-alliteration emphasises
Trod is not a peaceful way of walking
Repitition emphasises
5. Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
ea-assonance Reflects how comerce has ruined nature, possibly alluding to pollution and environmental degradation
6. And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil; Hard work, and how it’s stretched out. Leads to tireness
Both begin
with and =
anaphora
We are ruining God’s perfect and clean creation Man’s smell can refer to the pollution caused by man
7. And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil
Infertile/no greenery because we trodding with shoes on the ground Wearing shoes
Wearing shoes made us loose our connection with
nature/the earth
8. Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.
Volta
Mood shifts from being negative, to being
appreciative
Entire Octave Semi-colon introduces sollution Nature will never die and give up, no matter what humans do
to it
9. And for all this, nature is never spent;
Water A lot of water in the crust of the earth d-alliteration emphasises how deep
God’s greatness can go
10. There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
Last sunlight of the day Sun sets in the west
W-alliteration emphasises the sun setting
11. And though the last lights off the black West went
Sestet
Happy to see the morning landscapes start Sun rises Popping up
Dash, indicates poet’s final thought
12. Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs —
Holy Spirit fragile
Refering to the fragile world
13. Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
Metaphor, a chicken brooning her chicks
Chicken (Hen) Holy Spirit’s torso Awe, amazement
like the Holy Spirit has us underneath his
14. World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings. wings keeping us (the world) protected
Poet is passionate about God’s greatness and God himself
Poet also admires the beauty of God’s greatnss
, God’s Grandeur – Gerard Manley Hopkins
Main Themes
1. Celebration of God's Grandeur
The poem begins by asserting that the world is charged with the grandeur of God. This
grandeur is depicted as eternal and powerful
2. Human Degradation of Nature
Hopkins laments how human activities have marred the natural world. Industrialization
and modernization are seen as tarnishing the beauty and purity of nature
3. Renewal and Hope
Despite humanity's destructive tendencies, the poem ends on a note of hope. It suggests
that despite the damage caused, nature still possesses the power of rebirth and renewal
Sub Themes
1. Divine Omnipotence
The poem explores the certainty of an omnipotent God, emphasizing His grandeur and
all-pervading power
2. Humanity's Disconnect from Nature
It reflects on the inherent ugliness that arises from humanity's lack of belief in God,
highlighting the consequences of distancing oneself from the divine
3. Life's Meaning and Purpose
"God's Grandeur" suggests that the meaning of life and the purpose of human existence
can be discovered through recognizing God's presence in the world
4. Man's Interaction with Nature
The speaker deeply observes the natural world, emphasizing humanity's connection with
it while contrasting man's industrial inventions with God's creation
5. God's Immanence in Nature
The poem portrays God's grandeur as an ever-present force, akin to electricity, charging
the world with His magnificence and presence
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