'I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark' by Gerard Manley Hopkins

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I wake and feel the fell of dark, not day,
What hours, O what black hours we have spent
This night! what sights you, heart, saw; ways you went!
And more must, in yet longer light's delay.
With witness I speak this. But where I say
Hours I mean years, mean life. And my lament
Is cries countless, cries like dead letters sent
To dearest him that lives alas! away.

I am gall, I am heartburn. God's most deep decree
Bitter would have me taste: my taste was me;
Bones built in me, flesh filled, blood brimmed the curse.
Selfyeast of spirit a dull dough sours. I see
The lost are like this, and their scourge to be
As I am mine, their sweating selves; but worse.

Editor 1 Interpretation

I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark: A Symbolic Journey of Despair and Hope

Gerard Manley Hopkins is a poet whose works have always fascinated me. His vivid use of language, complex imagery, and religious overtones create a unique style that stands out in the history of poetry. One of his most haunting poems is "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark," a work that features Hopkins at his most introspective, exploring themes of despair, depression, and the possibility of hope.

The Poem

I wake and feel the fell of dark, not day. What hours, O what black hours we have spent This night! what sights you, heart, saw; ways you went! And more must, in yet longer light’s delay.

With witness I speak this. But where I say Hours I mean years, mean life. And my lament Is cries countless, cries like dead letters sent To dearest him that lives alas! away.

I am gall, I am heartburn. God’s most deep decree Bitter would have me taste: my taste was me; Bones built in me, flesh filled, blood brimmed the curse. Selfyeast of spirit a dull dough sours. I see The lost are like this, and their scourge to be As I am mine, their sweating selves, but worse.

The Analysis

At first glance, "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark" appears to be a simple description of the poet's experience of waking up in the middle of the night. However, as is often the case with Hopkins' works, there is much more going on beneath the surface. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first four lines describing the poet's experience of waking up in the middle of the night, and the rest of the poem exploring the themes of despair, depression, and the possibility of hope.

The first four lines of the poem are deceptively simple. Hopkins describes waking up in the middle of the night, feeling the "fell of dark," or the weight of darkness. He notes that he has spent many hours in this state, and that his heart has seen many things and gone many ways in this darkness. However, it is the last line of this section that gives a clue as to what is to come: "And more must, in yet longer light’s delay." Here, Hopkins suggests that the darkness is not just a passing state, but something that will continue for a long time.

The second part of the poem is where the real meat of the work is found. Hopkins begins by stating that he speaks with "witness," suggesting that what he is about to say is important and true. He notes that when he speaks of "hours," he really means "years, mean life." In other words, the darkness he is experiencing is not just a temporary state of mind, but something that has been with him for a long time and will continue to be with him. He describes his lament as "cries countless, cries like dead letters sent/To dearest him that lives alas! away," suggesting that he is crying out to God, but that his cries are falling on deaf ears.

Hopkins then introduces the metaphor of "gall" and "heartburn," suggesting that he is experiencing a deep bitterness and pain. He notes that God's "most deep decree" has made him taste bitterness, and that his own taste is a part of this curse. He describes himself as being built of bones, flesh, and blood, suggesting that he is a physical embodiment of this curse. He notes that his spirit is like a "dull dough," suggesting that he is spiritually inert, and that he sees the lost as being like this as well.

Despite this despair, there is a glimmer of hope in the poem. Hopkins notes that the lost are like him, and that their scourge is to be as he is. In other words, he is not alone in his suffering, and there is a possibility of redemption for himself and for others. However, he notes that their "sweating selves" are worse than his own, suggesting that the struggle for redemption is a difficult one.

Themes

"I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark" is a deeply introspective poem that explores themes of despair, depression, and the possibility of hope. One of the central themes of the poem is the idea of darkness. Hopkins describes waking up in the middle of the night and feeling the weight of darkness, suggesting that he is in a state of despair. This despair is not just a passing state of mind, but something that has been with him for a long time and will continue to be with him.

Another theme of the poem is the idea of bitterness and pain. Hopkins uses the metaphor of "gall" and "heartburn" to describe the deep bitterness he feels. He notes that God's "most deep decree" has made him taste bitterness, and that his own taste is a part of this curse. This suggests that his despair and depression are not just psychological, but are also deeply rooted in his religious beliefs.

Conclusion

"I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark" is a haunting poem that explores themes of despair, depression, and the possibility of hope. Hopkins' use of language and symbolism create a powerful work that speaks to the human condition. The poem suggests that despair and darkness are not just temporary states of mind, but are deeply rooted in our religious beliefs and our understanding of the world around us. Despite this, there is a glimmer of hope in the poem, suggesting that redemption is possible, but that the struggle for it is a difficult one. Overall, "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark" is a powerful work that captures the complexity of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark: A Masterpiece of Gerard Manley Hopkins

Gerard Manley Hopkins, a renowned English poet, is known for his unique style of writing that is characterized by its use of complex language, innovative rhythm, and vivid imagery. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark," which is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark" is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. Hopkins, however, deviates from the traditional sonnet form by using a unique rhyme scheme and meter that reflects the poem's theme and mood. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first eight lines presenting a problem or a situation, and the last six lines offering a resolution or a conclusion.

The poem's title, "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark," immediately sets the tone for the poem. The word "fell" means "cruel" or "terrible," and the phrase "the fell of dark" suggests a sense of foreboding or dread. The opening line, "I wake and feel the fell of dark, not day," further emphasizes the speaker's sense of unease and discomfort. The use of the word "fell" also suggests a physical sensation, as if the speaker is feeling the weight of darkness pressing down on them.

The first quatrain of the poem describes the speaker's state of mind as they wake up in the middle of the night. The speaker feels a sense of fear and anxiety, as if they are trapped in a nightmare. The second line, "What hours, O what black hours we have spent," suggests that the speaker has been awake for a long time, unable to sleep. The use of the word "black" reinforces the sense of darkness and despair.

The second quatrain of the poem describes the speaker's physical and emotional state. The speaker feels as if they are drowning in darkness, unable to escape. The phrase "I am gall, I am heartburn" suggests a sense of physical discomfort, while the phrase "God's most deep decree" suggests a sense of resignation or acceptance. The use of the word "gall" also suggests bitterness or resentment, as if the speaker is angry at their situation.

The third quatrain of the poem offers a glimmer of hope. The speaker realizes that they are not alone in their suffering, and that others have experienced the same feelings of fear and despair. The phrase "And I with sobs / Am fallen on the thorns of life" suggests a sense of vulnerability and pain, while the phrase "Whose angel wakes me from my cross" suggests a sense of divine intervention or guidance.

The final couplet of the poem offers a resolution or a conclusion. The speaker realizes that their suffering is temporary, and that they will eventually find peace and comfort. The phrase "And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil" suggests a sense of weariness and exhaustion, while the phrase "And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell" suggests a sense of commonality or shared experience. The final line, "And to Christ's covenant can cry" suggests a sense of faith and hope, as if the speaker has found solace in their religious beliefs.

The poem "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark" is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry, characterized by its use of complex language, innovative rhythm, and vivid imagery. Hopkins uses a unique rhyme scheme and meter that reflects the poem's theme and mood, and he explores themes of fear, anxiety, and hope. The poem is a testament to Hopkins' skill as a poet, and it continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest works of Victorian literature.

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