The Windhover by Gerard Manley Hopkins - Literature review Example

?As with so many forms of literature, the works of Gerard Manley Hopkins cannot fully be understood by merely a cursory review of his poetry. As withmany of the most effective forms, the intent, meaning, and direction is oftentimes only able to be understood through a deeper and closer examination of the meanings that necessarily exist behind the overt meaning. As a function of developing upon the meaning behind the meaning, this brief analysis will analyze one of Gerard Manley Hopkins most famous points, “The Windhover”. At face value, the point is complex, nuanced, and exhibits a high degree of merit on its own. However, when one stands and questions the underlying levels of meaning that are therein implied, a more full and complete appreciation for the work is ultimately engendered. Through such an analysis, it is the hope of this author the reader/researcher will be able to draw a further and more complete level of inference with regards to both the intended meaning, means of address, and historical influences/factors that not only prompted but made Gerard Manley Hopkins able to use the symbolism in the manner that he does. With regards to the primary meaning that Gerard Manley Hopkins seeks to integrate with the reader, there is little doubt for what this might be. Due to the fact that the point is dedicated and introduced by the line “To Christ our Lord”, the reader is instantly aware of the fact that the subject matter which will be presented will ultimately have the purpose of glorifying and underscoring the need that mankind must necessarily exhibit towards his Creator. However, even though this brief introduction is telling regards to the ultimate understanding and purpose that this particular point is concentric upon evoking, it does not integrate any particular level of understanding with regards to how such an end is affected (Thomas 498). Many scholars have examined the works of Gerard Manley Hopkins have drawn attention to the fact that unlike many other poets, Hopkins is oftentimes keen to relate the subject matter lines. Rather than this being net drawback, the reader and/work researcher should understand such within the context way which helps to differentiate this poetry for many other forms of poetry that has thus far been analyzed within the course of the semester. Ultimately, poet seek to make their work fresh, engage the reader, and impart an understanding on conscious and subconscious levels. In such a way, it comes as no surprise that Hopkins would seek alternate means of engendering such a level of understanding within his audience. By varying the tone and the means by which the subject matter is presented, Hopkins provide the disarming way for the reader to integrate with relate the bird which is being described. Although not published until the year 1918, the point itself with originally penned in the year 1877; a point in time which the reader should fully consider prior to seeking to attribute further levels of understanding to the point. Accordingly, 1877 was a point in time that could of course be defined as directly in the middle of what is come to be known as the Victorian era. Although it may not seem as very impressive by the standards of today, the Victorian era was a time of massive political, social and technological upheaval. Due to the impacts of the Industrial Revolution, and a long period of rest and peace within Europe, technology and industry have provided for a radically different approach to the means in which the average individual lived their life (Hollis 433). Suddenly, mass production, increased standards of living, and expansive Empire, and relatively cheap and inexpensive goods began to redefine the manner in which the average European with their lives. Of course it cannot be argued that all of these changes prefer the positive. Many individuals within society found the radical and rampant changes that were taking place worked against them. Notably, the poorest of the workers found themselves crowded in poor conditions and with little if any hygiene and some of the most densely populated areas of the country. Moreover, rapid transit and the increased nature in which these new complexities of life were slowly beginning to define and dominate this new paradigm had a profound effect upon the means by which authors, poets, musicians, and other artists of the times integrated with their subject matter. Rather than defining Gerard Manley Hopkins as something of a neo-Luddite, it is the understanding of this author that in addition to the overt meaning that the point sought to engage, there were clear and profound elements of regret for the modern life and the divorce from nature that was taking place. In order to understand such a regret, one must understand that many individuals who retain a profound Christian faith believe that such a faith can ultimately be integrated with in two distinct ways. Firstly and most obviously, the individual who seeks out truth can read about God and calm to an understanding with regards to the fact that he exists and is benevolent. Naturally, such an approach has traditionally been offered by such renowned theologians as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Paul, as well is a litany of others. However, there is yet another means by which many individuals believe that truth can be revealed. This secondary means is through nature. Within such a framework of understanding, it is easy for the reader to understand why Gerard Manley Hopkins placed such a profound importance upon explaining the precepts of Christ, his divinity, and his relation to mankind via an understanding of nature’s relationship to the individual (Servotte 253). Within such a context, it comes as no surprise to the reader that Gerard Manley Hopkins was keenly aware of the drawbacks but the current era portended with regards to integrating with the natural world and deriving a degree of understanding with regards to the divine (Cotter 22). In such a way, by utilizing the imagery and symbolism of “The Windhover” as a to the commission of Christ, a dual meaning is presented through which the reader can come to an understanding of the means by which Christ sacrifice was ultimately realized, it’s purpose, and relevance to current society as well is the fact that an understanding and appreciation for nature is an integral part of being able to interact with such a realization. Within such context that imprudent presented within this brief analysis, the reader can come to the understanding that rather than merely representing the relationship with which the individual should approach and appreciation for salvation or religion in general, something of a societal commentary is taking place within the writings of Gerard Manley Hopkins. Although this but to go point is not unique among the body of literature with regards to the fact of how it integrates with the audience through symbolism and imagery, it is, like so many other works of poetry and literature, best understood within the historical context in which it ultimately took place. Oftentimes, the historical approach to many of Gerard Manley Hopkins’ works have been minimized due to the fact that the lion’s share of his works were not published until long after his death. As such, when the untrained eye views the data publication, they are oftentimes led to the incorrect conclusion that the particular piece may have been with reference to the First World War or some other component of history. As this analysis has indicated, the historical influences that the Victorian era and related levels of societal, technological, and industrial changes that it portended were ultimately the driving force behind Gerard Manley Hopkins’ typification of nature within the form of Christ. Works Cited Cotter, James Finn. "Hopkins And Cynewulf: "The Wreck Of The Deutschland," "The Windhover," "The Blessed Virgin Compared To The Air We Breathe," And The Christ." Victorian Poetry 43.1 (2005): 19-33. Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. Hollis, Hilda. "Another Bird? Counterpoint In “The Windhover”." Victorian Poetry 40.4 (2002): 433. Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. Servotte, Herman. "A Deconstructionistic Reading Of 'The Windhover'." English Studies 70.3 (1989): 253. Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. Thomas, Alfred. "G. M. Hopkins: 'The Windhover'; Sources, 'Underthought, And Significance." Modern Language Review 70.3 (1975): 497-507. Academic Search Complete. 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