Spring by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Questions and Answers

How does Hopkins use sound devices in the poem to create a sense of celebration and joy?

He uses euphonic alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia, such as 'rinse and wring' and 'strike like lightnings', to create a sense of musicality and celebration.

What is the significance of the thrush's eggs in the poem, and how does Hopkins describe them?

The thrush's eggs are significant as a symbol of new life and beauty, and Hopkins describes them as 'little low heavens'.

How does Hopkins' use of syntax contribute to the poem's meaning and effect?

The challenging syntax in some parts of the poem, such as 'Most, O Maid's child, thy choice...', adds complexity and depth, while also emphasizing the speaker's emotions and ideas.

What does the speaker mean by 'cloy' in the poem?

<p>To sicken or deteriorate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Spring by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Themes and Ideas

The poem celebrates the beauty of spring and the natural world
It explores the idea of mankind's tendency to sin and the need for God's protection
The poet reflects on the innocence of children and the importance of preserving it
The poem is set against the backdrop of the Garden of Eden, symbolizing potential and harmony

Style and Structure

The poem is a Petrarchan sonnet, with a specific rhyme scheme and 14 lines
It features vivid imagery, assonance, and alliteration to capture the beauty of spring
Hopkins uses cacophony through alliteration in some parts, such as "Before it cloy, before it cloud"
The syntax is sometimes challenging, as in "Most, O Maid's child, thy choice..."

Imagery and Symbolism

The poem opens with a joyful description of spring, using words like "lovely", "lush", and "long" to describe weeds
Thrush's eggs are compared to "little low heavens", symbolizing beauty and innocence
The peartree leaves and blooms are described as "glassy" and "rich", evoking a sense of wonder
The "descending blue" sky is a vivid image, symbolizing the beauty and harmony of nature

Key Quotes and Analysis

"Nothing is so beautiful as Spring" - The poem opens in joyful adulation, using euphonic alliteration and assonance
"Thrush's eggs look little low heavens, and thrush..." - This quote features vivid, visual imagery, with a simile comparing eggs to "little low heavens"
"What is all this juice and all this joy?" - Hopkins wonders what all this creative energy truly means, and begins to reflect on the religious symbolism of spring
"A strain of the earth's sweet being in the beginning / In Eden garden" - The poem takes a more serious tone, referencing the Garden of Eden and the potential for harmony and innocence