Gerald Hopkins’ early life was shaped in a very artistic way in the realms of religion, music and philosophy. His pathfinders were first his parents who were religious Anglicans and many English authors later on. Hopkins' senior reviewed and wrote poems which were published and well received. Gerald’s mother’s love for German philosophy, music and painting influenced her son in the same way. Richard Lane, his great uncle, was a professional artist and supported Gerald’s lifelong love of sketching. His siblings would go on to achieve success and moderate fame in creative arts such as composing music, simplifying colloquial Chinese for the English population and artists.
He was born to be a devotional poet. This was proof in the friendships he formed while in his later years in Balliol College, Oxford as an adult. Another renowned poet and writer of many hymns, Robert Bridges was one of the first acquaintances he made. Essayist and critic Walter Pater became a lifelong friend who also helped Gerald in his poetry writing and review. A devotional and children’s poet Christina Rossetti was one of his contemporary influences.
Gerald’s inclination towards poetry and a deep understanding of Christian faith amalgamated him into a sense of devotional prose which was unique at the time. Apart from the many family and friends who inspired him, he also was naturally ascetic, shying away from the world and its ‘temptations and waywardness’. In 1865, Hopkins wrote in his journal an ascetic aspiration and oath - "On this day by God's grace I resolved to give up all beauty until I had His leave for it." The result was that he very soon composed his most ascetic poem, The Habit of Perfection. Lent is a holy time for Christians where they give up certain food and/or meat as part of preparation for Easter. In 1866, Gerald included poetry writing in his list of things that he would give up. Once he even made a bonfire of his writings. Between 1868 and 70, he took vows of chastity and poverty. What prompted him to do such extreme actions is unclear but he may have seen the practice of poetry writing as taking his time away from prayer.
Inspired by the Catholic church and its teachings, he converted to it in 1866. This decision created a division between him and his family as they were fierce Anglicans. Undeterred, he became a Jesuit and even became a founding member of The Newman Society, in 1878. His writing would improvise from poetry to sermons, verses and hymns.
In 1889, after a restrictive although self proclaimed pleasantly peaceful Jesuit role, several years of life in Ireland and having penned many poems Gerald passed away of typhoid. He is remembered as a gentle poet who beautifully portrayed Christian themes.
The Windhover
Hopkins finished The Windhover only a few months before his ordination.
The Windhover is a sonnet poem written in 1887. The poem is primarily dedicated to Jesus Christ. The imagery is of a bird, kestrel a.k.a, a windhover soaring in the sky. The speaker in the poem is deeply awe-inspired by the powerful movement of the bird's aerial skills, it’s ability to both hover in stillness and swoop down with speed. The speaker sees the bird as an expression of the beauty and majesty of God's creation.
The poem's octet (the first eight lines) concentrates primarily on the bird, while the sestet—the second and final section of the poem—discusses the creature in a wider religious context. The speaker ultimately stresses that such beauty is in fact "no wonder," because all of God's creation is divinely beautiful.
The sub-title of the poem, “To Christ Our Lord” is significant, because it provides a clue to the phrase “my chevalier” which applies as much to Christ
I caught this morning morning's minion, king-dom of daylight's dauphin,
dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon, in his riding
Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding
High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing,
As a skate's heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl and gliding
Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird, – the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!
High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing,
As a skate's heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl and gliding
Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird, – the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!
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