'Felix Randal' by Gerard Manley Hopkins
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F{'e}lix R{'a}ndal the f{'a}rrier, O is he d{'e}ad then? my d{'u}ty all
{'e}nded,
Who have watched his mould of man, bigboned and hardy-handsome
Pining, pining, till time when reason rambled in it, and some
Fatal four disorders, fleshed there, all contended?
Sickness broke him. Impatient, he cursed at first, but mended
Being anointed |&| all; tho' a heavenlier heart began some
M{'o}nths {'e}arlier, since {'I} had our sw{'e}et repr{'i}eve |&|
r{'a}nsom
T{'e}ndered to him. {'A}h well, God r{'e}st him {'a}ll road {'e}ver he
off{'e}nded!
This s{'e}eing the s{'i}ck end{'e}ars them t{'o} us, us t{'o}o it
end{'e}ars.
My tongue had taught thee comfort, touch had quenched thy tears,
Thy tears that touched my heart, child, Felix, poor Felix Randal;
How far from then forethought of, all thy more boisterous years,
When thou at the random grim forge, powerful amidst peers
Didst fettle for the great grey drayhorse his bright |&| battering
sandal!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Felix Randal: An Analysis of Gerard Manley Hopkins' Poem
Gerard Manley Hopkins has been considered as one of the greatest poets of the Victorian era. His poems were distinguished by their complexity, the way they blend together different interests of his and the way they make use of his own peculiar idiom. One of his most powerful works is "Felix Randal", which is both a tribute to a skilled blacksmith and an exploration of ideas of mortality, suffering, and faith.
Background
The poem was written in 1880, and it was published posthumously in 1918 in a collection called "Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins". The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, which is a common form in Hopkins' work.
The title of the poem refers to the blacksmith whose death the poem describes. Felix Randal was a real person, and Hopkins had met him while serving as a curate in Oxford. The poem is a reflection on the life and death of this individual.
Interpretation
The poem begins with an introduction of Felix Randal, describing his occupation as a blacksmith, and his physical appearance. The poem then moves on to describe Felix's illness and death. Hopkins uses vivid imagery and sounds to capture the experience of Felix's final days.
The poem also explores the idea of suffering and mortality. Hopkins is able to convey the sense of loss and sadness that comes with the death of someone you know, and the realization that one's own time will also come. The poem also touches on the idea of faith, and the hope that it can provide in times of hardship.
Stanza 1
The first stanza of the poem describes Felix Randal, the blacksmith. Hopkins uses vivid imagery to bring Felix to life, describing him as "a tall fine-hearted fellow" with "a beauty like a woman's". Hopkins also notes that Felix is a skilled craftsman, with "ironwork like a trade not yet obsolete."
Stanza 2
The second stanza of the poem describes Felix's illness and death. Hopkins is able to capture the experience of someone who is suffering from a terminal illness, and the pain and fear that comes with it. Hopkins uses powerful imagery to describe Felix's suffering, including the sound of his cough, which is "like a death-watch ticked at the wall".
Stanza 3
The third stanza of the poem explores the idea of faith, and the hope that it can bring. Hopkins notes that Felix was a religious man, and that he found solace in his faith. Hopkins also notes that Felix's faith was tested by his illness, and that he was able to find strength in it. Hopkins writes:
No, no, there is not much gained
By a rush to the reed-bed, by the music of waters,
Pleasure sent up in vapour, and quickly gone,
Without a trace in the heaven;
Farewell dear mate, dear love.
I am going up in the morning,
Don't you remember the white of the hazel leaves at home?
In these lines, Hopkins suggests that faith can provide a sense of comfort and hope, even in the face of death.
Stanza 4
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on Felix's death. Hopkins notes that Felix's death was not in vain, and that he will be remembered for his skill and his kindness. Hopkins also reflects on his own mortality, noting that he too will one day die.
Analysis
The poem is structured as a sonnet, with a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA CDCDCD. The use of the sonnet form is significant, as it is a form that is traditionally associated with love poetry. In this poem, Hopkins is expressing his love and admiration for Felix Randal, and his grief at his passing.
The language and imagery used in the poem are also significant. Hopkins makes use of alliteration and assonance to create a musicality to the poem. He also makes use of vivid imagery to bring the experience of Felix's illness and death to life. The use of sound in the poem is particularly powerful, as it captures the experience of someone who is in pain and suffering.
The poem also explores the themes of suffering, mortality, and faith. Hopkins is able to convey the sense of loss and sadness that comes with the death of someone you know. At the same time, he explores the hope that can be found in faith, and the way it can provide comfort and strength in times of hardship.
Conclusion
"Felix Randal" is a powerful tribute to a skilled blacksmith, and an exploration of ideas of mortality, suffering, and faith. Hopkins uses vivid imagery and sounds to convey the experience of someone who is suffering from a terminal illness, and the pain and fear that comes with it. At the same time, he explores the hope that can be found in faith, and the way it can provide comfort and strength in times of hardship. The poem is a testament to Hopkins' skill as a poet, and his ability to express complex ideas and emotions in a powerful and moving way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Felix Randal: A Masterpiece of Gerard Manley Hopkins
Gerard Manley Hopkins, a renowned English poet, is known for his unique and innovative style of writing poetry. His works are characterized by the use of complex language, vivid imagery, and religious themes. One of his most celebrated poems is "Felix Randal," which was written in 1880. This poem is a tribute to a blacksmith named Felix Randal, who was also a parishioner of Hopkins. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem "Felix Randal" in detail.
The poem "Felix Randal" is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. Hopkins uses the Petrarchan sonnet form, which consists of an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBAABBA, and the sestet is CDECDE. The poem is written in Hopkins's characteristic style, which is characterized by the use of sprung rhythm, alliteration, and internal rhyme.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing Felix Randal directly, "Felix Randal, the farrier, O is he dead then?" The speaker is surprised to hear about Felix Randal's death and expresses his shock and sadness. The use of the word "farrier" is significant as it refers to Felix Randal's profession as a blacksmith who specializes in shoeing horses. The speaker then goes on to describe Felix Randal's physical appearance, "My heart, my heart, but whole of it? In poor health then?" The repetition of the word "heart" emphasizes the speaker's emotional response to Felix Randal's death.
In the second quatrain, the speaker reminisces about Felix Randal's life, "He, mastering his craft of iron, flame, and water, / Passed his hand over the horse's hoof and wrist." The use of the word "mastering" highlights Felix Randal's skill and expertise in his profession. The image of Felix Randal passing his hand over the horse's hoof and wrist is a vivid depiction of his work as a blacksmith. The speaker then goes on to describe Felix Randal's personality, "And wrist and hand trembled like a wind-struck lyre." The use of the simile "wind-struck lyre" conveys Felix Randal's sensitivity and emotional depth.
In the third quatrain, the speaker reflects on Felix Randal's illness and death, "And yet no one would know, / For the hand out of the bosom is never known." The use of the phrase "hand out of the bosom" is a metaphor for Felix Randal's hidden suffering. The speaker then goes on to describe Felix Randal's final moments, "And now he is scattered among a hundred cities, / And wholly given over to unfamiliar affections." The use of the word "scattered" is significant as it refers to Felix Randal's death and the scattering of his ashes. The phrase "unfamiliar affections" refers to Felix Randal's afterlife and his separation from his loved ones.
In the final couplet, the speaker reflects on Felix Randal's life and death, "Yet, though we cannot make our sun / Stand still, yet we will make him run." The use of the word "sun" is a metaphor for Felix Randal's life, which has come to an end. The speaker acknowledges that they cannot stop time or prevent death, but they can honor Felix Randal's memory by celebrating his life and work.
In conclusion, "Felix Randal" is a masterpiece of Gerard Manley Hopkins, which celebrates the life and work of a blacksmith named Felix Randal. The poem is written in Hopkins's characteristic style, which is characterized by the use of sprung rhythm, alliteration, and internal rhyme. The poem is a tribute to Felix Randal's skill and expertise as a blacksmith, as well as his sensitivity and emotional depth. The poem also reflects on the themes of suffering, death, and afterlife, which are central to Hopkins's religious beliefs. Overall, "Felix Randal" is a powerful and moving poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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