'Pied Beauty' by Gerard Manley Hopkins

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Glory be to God for dappled things—
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches' wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough;
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Pied Beauty" by Gerard Manley Hopkins: A Celebration of Imperfection

Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem "Pied Beauty" is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that celebrates the beauty of imperfection. Written in 1877 and first published posthumously in 1918, the poem is a short, seventeen-line ode to the diversity of creation, and the variety of color and texture that make it so rich and wondrous.

But what is the meaning of the word "pied"? And what does it tell us about the nature of beauty? In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore these questions and more, as we examine the themes, symbols, and techniques used by Hopkins to create one of the most beloved poems in English literature.

"Pied Beauty": A Poem of Imperfection

The word "pied" is an archaic term that means "having two or more different colors", or "variegated". In the context of Hopkins’ poem, it refers to the motley, patchwork quality of nature, with its "dappled things", "brinded cows", "rose-moles", and "finches’ wings". This diversity of color and texture, Hopkins suggests, is not a flaw, but a feature of creation, and a source of its beauty.

Indeed, it is this very imperfection that makes the world so enchanting, and draws us to it again and again. The poem begins:

Glory be to God for dappled things, For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow, For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim; Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings; Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough; And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.

Here, Hopkins celebrates the diversity of nature, from the "skies of couple-colour" to the "rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim". He revels in the "fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls" and the "finches’ wings", and delights in the "landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough". There is a sense of wonder and delight in these lines, as if the poet were seeing the world for the first time, and finding it endlessly fascinating.

But the poem goes deeper than mere celebration. Hopkins is not just reveling in the beauty of the world, but suggesting that this beauty is a reflection of the divine. As he writes in the second stanza:

All things counter, original, spare, strange; Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?) With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim; He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change: Praise him.

Here, Hopkins suggests that it is the very imperfection of the world that reveals the glory of God. The "counter, original, spare, strange" things of the world are the work of a divine artist, whose beauty is "past change". This is a bold claim, and one that challenges the conventional wisdom of Hopkins' time, which saw perfection as the hallmark of beauty.

Symbolism and Technique in "Pied Beauty"

To convey his message, Hopkins uses a variety of poetic devices, including alliteration, assonance, and internal rhyme. Consider, for example, the opening lines of the poem:

Glory be to God for dappled things, For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow, For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim; Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings; Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough; And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.

Here, Hopkins uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. The repeated "g" sounds in "Glory be to God for dappled things", for example, create a rolling, tumbling effect, while the repeated "f" sounds in "Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls" have a softer, more fluid quality. The internal rhyme in "couple-colour as a brinded cow" and "rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim" also add to the poem's musicality, and create a sense of unity and coherence.

But perhaps the most striking feature of "Pied Beauty" is its use of symbolism. Throughout the poem, Hopkins employs a series of concrete images to represent abstract concepts, such as the "dappled things" that stand for the diversity of creation, or the "skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow" that represent the beauty of imperfection. These symbols are often surprising and unexpected, and serve to underscore the poem's central message.

Consider, for example, the image of the "brinded cow". This is not a typical symbol of beauty, and yet Hopkins uses it to great effect, suggesting that the very things that we might consider imperfect and unappealing are often the most beautiful of all. Similarly, the image of the "finches’ wings" serves as a reminder of the fragility of life, and the evanescence of beauty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Gerard Manley Hopkins’ "Pied Beauty" is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that celebrates the beauty of imperfection. It is a poem that revels in the diversity of creation, and the variety of color and texture that make it so rich and wondrous. But it is also a poem that goes deeper, suggesting that this beauty is a reflection of the divine, and that the very imperfection of the world reveals the glory of God.

With its use of symbolism, alliteration, and internal rhyme, "Pied Beauty" is a work of art that stands the test of time, and continues to inspire readers today. It reminds us that the world is full of wonder and delight, and that even the most unexpected things can be a source of beauty and joy. So let us join Hopkins in praising God for the "dappled things", and celebrate the imperfection that makes the world so enchanting.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Pied Beauty: A Celebration of Diversity and Imperfection

Gerard Manley Hopkins, a Jesuit priest and poet, wrote Pied Beauty in 1877. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature, specifically the diversity and imperfection that make it unique. Hopkins uses a variety of poetic techniques to convey his message, including alliteration, assonance, and repetition. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in Pied Beauty and their significance.

The poem begins with the line "Glory be to God for dappled things." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Hopkins is praising God for the diversity of nature, for the "dappled" things that make it unique. The word "dappled" refers to the spots or patches of color that are found on animals, plants, and other natural objects. Hopkins is celebrating the fact that no two things in nature are exactly alike.

The second line of the poem continues this theme of diversity: "For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow." Here, Hopkins is comparing the colors of the sky to the colors of a cow's hide. The word "brinded" means streaked or striped, and Hopkins is using this comparison to show how the colors of the sky are not uniform but rather a mixture of different shades and hues. This comparison also highlights the beauty of imperfection, as the cow's hide is not a perfect solid color but rather a mixture of different shades.

The third and fourth lines of the poem continue to celebrate the diversity of nature: "For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim; / Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches' wings." Here, Hopkins is describing the different patterns and colors found on trout, chestnuts, and finches. The phrase "rose-moles all in stipple" refers to the spots on a trout's skin, while "fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls" describes the colors of falling chestnuts. The phrase "finches' wings" is a reference to the different colors and patterns found on the wings of finches. Once again, Hopkins is celebrating the diversity and imperfection of nature.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem shift the focus to the sounds of nature: "Landscape plotted and pieced - fold, fallow, and plough; / And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim." Here, Hopkins is describing the sounds of the countryside, including the sounds of farming and other trades. The phrase "landscape plotted and pieced" refers to the way that the land is divided up and cultivated, while "fold, fallow, and plough" are all farming terms. The phrase "all trades, their gear and tackle and trim" refers to the sounds of different trades, such as blacksmithing or carpentry. Once again, Hopkins is celebrating the diversity of nature, including the sounds that it produces.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem return to the theme of diversity in color: "All things counter, original, spare, strange; / Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)". Here, Hopkins is celebrating the fact that nature is full of things that are "counter" or opposite, "original" or unique, "spare" or simple, and "strange." He also celebrates the things that are "fickle" or changeable and "freckled" or spotted. The phrase "who knows how?" suggests that the beauty of these things is beyond human understanding.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem return to the theme of sound: "With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim; / He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change." Here, Hopkins is describing the different sounds of nature, including the contrast between "swift" and "slow," "sweet" and "sour," and "adazzle" and "dim." The phrase "He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change" is a reference to God, who created the beauty of nature and whose beauty is eternal and unchanging.

The final line of the poem is a repetition of the opening line: "Praise him." This repetition reinforces the message of the poem, which is to praise God for the diversity and imperfection of nature.

One of the most striking features of Pied Beauty is Hopkins' use of poetic techniques such as alliteration, assonance, and repetition. Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, while assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds. Hopkins uses both of these techniques throughout the poem to create a musical and rhythmic effect. For example, in the second line of the poem, Hopkins uses alliteration to create a musical effect: "For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow." The repetition of the "c" sound in "couple-colour" and "brinded cow" creates a musical effect that emphasizes the comparison between the colors of the sky and the colors of a cow's hide.

Hopkins also uses repetition throughout the poem to emphasize his message. The repetition of the phrase "Glory be to God" at the beginning and end of the poem reinforces the idea that the poem is a celebration of God's creation. The repetition of the word "dappled" throughout the poem emphasizes the theme of diversity and imperfection in nature.

In conclusion, Pied Beauty is a celebration of the diversity and imperfection of nature. Hopkins uses a variety of poetic techniques to convey his message, including alliteration, assonance, and repetition. The poem is a reminder that beauty can be found in imperfection and that diversity is something to be celebrated. Hopkins' message is as relevant today as it was when he wrote the poem over a century ago. In a world that often values conformity and uniformity, Pied Beauty is a reminder to celebrate the things that make us unique and to appreciate the diversity of the natural world.

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