This is a sonnet and specifically an Italian/Petrarchan Sonnet. This type of sonnet has:
God’s Grandeur
By Gerard Manley Hopkins (U.K. 1844-89)
Poetry Analysis: God’s Grandeur
Themes:
Nature and Religion.
The poet asserts that the grandeur (splendor or
greatness) of God is shown in the dependability of nature, in spite of mankind’s
insensitivity towards and disconnect from nature. But the poem also indicates
two aspects of that grandeur: power, with its authority, and love, with its
compassion.
This poem follows the rhyming pattern of the Italian
(or Petrarchan) sonnet, with an octave rhymed abbaabba and a sestet rhymed
cdcdcd. He effectively uses this type of poetry to make a statement or draw a
contrast between man’s neglect of nature (octave) and nature’s ability to
replenish herself (sestet). The poet also makes effective use of alliteration, internal rhyme, and unusual
imagery.
Although the language is somewhat complicated, the tone of the poem is didactic (intended to instruct). In the octave, we are being addressed by someone who begins with an assertion about God. He explains himself with similes (lines 2-3), and poses a question about man’s disobedience in line 4) supported by evidence in lines 5-8). In the sestet, he reassures his audience that his first statement remains valid, with exclamations such as ‘Oh’ and ‘ah!” adding to the realism of the lesson.
The poem is expressive of God’s presence in the natural world even through man’s exploits
have served to destroy nature and its
freshness and purity. To the poet God’s grandeur is
ever pervasive, revealing itself like
‘flame from shook foil’. The word ‘flame’ is significant
as it conveys the brilliance of God as the
shining light that foil gives off.
The poet employs the image of an electric
charge, which develops into a flame or a light
suggesting the power of his greatness.
God’s light assumes a richness like the ‘ooze of oil crushed’ or pressed to its finest quality.
As the oil gathers strength to richness so does God’s greatness. The images are all interwoven and expanded to express the grandeur of God. In stanza 2, though man is aware of God’s greatness he still exploits through commence and industrialization, blemishing the earth and destroying the freshness of nature.
The repetition, “generations have trod, have trod, have trod” conveys man’s persistence in his ruthless exploitation. The persistent repetition of words ‘have trod’ leading to ‘smeared and bleared, tells of the poet’s resentment or disgust at man’s actions. ‘Man’s smudge’ and ‘smell’ are expressive of a polluted and squalid environment, all due to man’s uncaring attitude. Unthinking man cares not about the destruction he leaves; he seems not aware of what he has done to nature as is expressed in the words ‘nor can food feel,’ being shod.’
The language of stanza one, lines 5-8, reveals
not only disgust but a protest against man’s
ruthlessness. The poet reacts to man’s
inhumanity and indignity with reasoned calmness,
a protest without rage or anger for he is
consoled by nature’s presence as described in
stanza two (2).
In stanza two (2), the poet tells that
God’s presence or power through nature is renewable
or invigorating inspite of man’s
destruction. Nature is described as indestructible or
inexhaustible:
For
all this, nature is never spent
There
lives a dearest freshness deep down things.
The poem ends on a positive note, an
assurance that springs from the poet’s faith as he
is convinced of the Holy Ghost’s presence
with vitality and life and all that is luminous,”
“warm
breaths and bright wings” .
