Pied Beauty Poem Text
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.
Critical Analysis
"Pied Beauty" by Gerard Manley Hopkins is a unique and striking poem that explores the beauty and diversity of the natural world. The poem stands out for its innovative use of language and its celebration of the often overlooked aspects of creation. Hopkins employs his characteristic "sprung rhythm" and employs vivid imagery to convey the splendor of dappled things. Through his praise of God for the multitude of colors and patterns found in nature, the poet emphasizes the inherent value of diversity and individuality. The poem's structure, divided into three distinct parts, allows for a focused exploration of the theme. The use of repetition, such as in the phrase "Praise Him," adds a sense of rhythm and emphasis, reinforcing the poem's message of gratitude. Overall, "Pied Beauty" showcases Hopkins' skillful use of language and his ability to find beauty in the ordinary, making it a captivating and thought-provoking piece of poetry.Summary
Split into three parts according to topic
Stanza 1: The speaker expresses their gratitude and praises God for the diversity of dappled things in the world. They mention the skies with colors resembling a brindled cow and the rose-moles, or spots, on swimming trout. The speaker finds beauty in these contrasting and varied aspects of nature.
Stanza 2: The speaker continues their reflection on the diversity and uniqueness of the world. They acknowledge the fickle and freckled nature of things, with their swift and slow, sweet and sour, bright and dim qualities. The speaker attributes the creation of such diverse beauty to God, emphasizing His role as the ultimate source of unchanging and awe-inspiring beauty. The stanza ends with a call to praise God for His enduring and remarkable creations.
Major Themes
The themes present in "Pied Beauty" by Gerard Manley Hopkins include:Stylistic Analysis
The style of "Pied Beauty" by Gerard Manley Hopkins is characterized by its unique poetic techniques and distinctive language. Hopkins is known for his innovative use of language and rhythm, which he refers to as "sprung rhythm." This style involves irregular meter and unexpected stresses on certain syllables, creating a lively and dynamic rhythm throughout the poem. Hopkins also employs vivid and imaginative imagery, using specific and detailed descriptions to capture the essence of the dappled and varied things he celebrates. Additionally, the poem showcases his skillful wordplay and use of alliteration, as seen in phrases like "rose-moles all in stipple" and "swift, slow; sweet, sour." The structure of the poem, with its divided parts and repetition of the phrase "Praise Him," adds a sense of musicality and emphasis to the overall composition. Hopkins' style in "Pied Beauty" is characterized by its musicality, rich imagery, and innovative use of language, making it a distinct and memorable piece of poetry.Language
Structure
Sound devices
Attitudes/feelings
Linked Poems
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