'(Carrion Comfort)' by Gerard Manley Hopkins
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Poems of Gerard Manley HopkinsNot, I'll not, carrion comfort, Despair, not feast on thee;
Not untwist-slack they may be-these last strands of man
In me r, most weary, cry
Editor 1 Interpretation
Carrion Comfort: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem, Carrion Comfort, is a thought-provoking piece that delves deep into the complexities of human suffering and faith. In this poem, Hopkins uses his unique style of language and imagery to explore the speaker’s struggle with despair and his eventual surrender to hope.
Context and Background
Hopkins came from a religious background and was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1877. His poetry reflects his strong faith and his deep inner turmoil as he struggled to reconcile his religious beliefs with the harsh realities of life. Carrion Comfort was written in 1885 during a period of great personal turmoil in Hopkins’ life. He was suffering from depression and had doubts about his faith, which is reflected in the poem’s dark imagery and melancholy tone.
Analysis
The poem begins with a speaker who is in a state of despair, feeling overwhelmed by his suffering. He addresses his “sweet and bitter fool” and asks for comfort, but receives none. The use of contrasting terms like “sweet” and “bitter” highlights the speaker’s conflicting emotions and the complexity of his situation. The speaker then turns to God, addressing him as “Lord”, and asks him to give him comfort as he is “brought low”.
However, the speaker quickly realizes that God is not going to give him the comfort he seeks. He describes God as a “lioness”, a fierce and powerful creature that is not going to be tamed or controlled. The use of animal imagery is striking here, as it emphasizes the wild and uncontrollable nature of God. The speaker’s attempt at controlling God is futile, and he is left feeling abandoned and alone.
The second stanza of the poem sees the speaker grappling with his doubts about God’s existence. He asks, “why should all give way to comfort?” questioning why he should have faith in God when his suffering is so great. The use of the word “all” emphasizes the scope of the speaker’s doubts and his reluctance to accept comfort without proof of God’s existence.
Despite his doubts, the speaker ultimately surrenders to hope. He acknowledges that his suffering is a necessary part of his spiritual journey and that he must endure it to reach salvation. He describes his suffering as a “burning” that is necessary to purify his soul. The use of fire imagery is significant here, as it symbolizes both pain and purification. The speaker’s acceptance of his suffering is a turning point in the poem, as he begins to see it as a means to an end rather than an end in itself.
The final stanza of the poem sees the speaker seeking assurance from God that his suffering is not in vain. He asks God to “let me be”, to allow him to endure his suffering without interference. The use of the word “let” emphasizes the speaker’s desire for autonomy and control over his own spiritual journey. He then asks God to “break, blow, burn”, to use whatever means necessary to bring him closer to salvation. The use of violent imagery emphasizes the speaker’s willingness to endure even more suffering if it means reaching his ultimate goal.
Interpretation
Carrion Comfort can be interpreted as an exploration of the human experience of suffering and the search for meaning and purpose in life. The speaker’s struggle with despair and doubt is a universal experience, and Hopkins’ use of language and imagery captures the complexity of this experience.
The use of animal imagery, particularly the image of the lioness, emphasizes the uncontrollable nature of God and the futility of attempting to control him. This can be interpreted as a commentary on the limitations of human understanding and the need for faith in the face of uncertainty.
The use of fire imagery is significant, as it symbolizes both pain and purification. The speaker’s acceptance of his suffering as a necessary part of his spiritual journey can be interpreted as a reflection of Hopkins’ own struggles with depression and doubt. This can be seen as a message of hope for those who are struggling with their own faith or mental health issues.
The final stanza of the poem sees the speaker seeking assurance from God that his suffering is not in vain. This can be interpreted as a reflection of the human desire for meaning and purpose in life. The speaker’s willingness to endure even more suffering if it means reaching his ultimate goal can be seen as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Conclusion
Carrion Comfort is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of human suffering and faith. Hopkins’ use of language and imagery captures the nuances of the speaker’s experience and offers a message of hope for those who are struggling with their own faith or mental health issues. The poem’s themes of uncertainty, doubt, and the search for meaning and purpose in life are universal and continue to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Gerard Manley Hopkins is one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, known for his innovative use of language and his exploration of religious themes. His poem "Carrion Comfort" is a prime example of his unique style and his ability to convey complex emotions through his words.
At its core, "Carrion Comfort" is a poem about suffering and the struggle to find meaning in the face of adversity. The title itself is a reference to the idea of finding comfort in the midst of decay and death, a theme that runs throughout the poem.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a higher power, asking why he must endure such intense suffering. He describes his pain as a "wringing of hands" and a "shook foil," suggesting that it is both physical and emotional in nature. He also uses vivid imagery to convey the intensity of his suffering, describing it as a "keen and quivering spear" that pierces his heart.
Despite his agony, the speaker refuses to give up hope. He acknowledges that he has been "baffled" and "beaten" by his suffering, but he also recognizes that there is a deeper purpose to his pain. He believes that his suffering is a test of his faith, and that he must endure it in order to grow stronger and more resilient.
Throughout the poem, Hopkins uses a variety of literary techniques to convey the speaker's emotions and to create a sense of tension and drama. One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of alliteration and internal rhyme, which give the lines a musical quality and help to emphasize certain words and phrases.
For example, in the second stanza, Hopkins writes:
"Pitched past pitch of grief, More pangs will, schooled at forepangs, wilder wring."
Here, the repeated "p" and "w" sounds create a sense of urgency and intensity, as if the speaker is struggling to articulate his pain. The use of the word "schooled" also suggests that the speaker has experienced similar bouts of suffering in the past, and that he has learned to endure them through sheer force of will.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of paradox and contradiction. The speaker describes his suffering as both a "furnace" and a "cooling-off" period, suggesting that it is both destructive and restorative in nature. He also refers to his pain as a "sweet honey" that he must "drink," suggesting that he has found a way to derive pleasure from his suffering.
This paradoxical language is reflective of Hopkins' own religious beliefs, which emphasized the idea of "inscape" or the inherent beauty and goodness of all things. Hopkins believed that even the most painful experiences could be transformed into something beautiful and meaningful, if one had the right perspective.
Ultimately, "Carrion Comfort" is a powerful meditation on the nature of suffering and the human capacity for resilience. Through his use of vivid imagery, musical language, and paradoxical statements, Hopkins creates a sense of tension and drama that draws the reader in and forces them to confront the difficult questions that the poem raises.
At its heart, the poem is a testament to the power of faith and the human spirit, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow.
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