“It is likely to prove to our age and the future, the only poet of the age of serious victory, and it seems to me the most important,” says Dr.F.R.Leavis of Gerald Manley Hpokins. Hopkins’ poem, synonymous with intellectual energy and religious imperturbability, has created a unique niche for itself in Latin literature. Hopkins “Windhover” echoes the discord in his person of the esthetic impulse, who was naturally a Jesuit and chose to become an ascetic.
Hopkins himself called “The Windhover” “the best thing I’ve ever written.” The theme of the poem is the praise of God for the multifariousness of his creation. It also mimics the assertion of Christian conviction and is a joyful affirmation of the poet’s personal faith. The poet depicts this, highlighting the majesty and splendor of the falcon in flight. Venaticus, one of the most perfect birds developed in strength, firmness and symmetry, is directed to the “morning minion” and reigning prince of the kingdom of the day. The last artist noted the beauty of the spotted silhouette in the dawn. The movement of the vulture is likened to a rider seated on a reigning horse, and the heel of the squire making a slight circular arc around the curve. The poet shuddered to hurt him with the great approval of the speed.
In the former part of the poem the bird had excited wonder and filled the poet’s mind;
“The consequence of the mastery.” Hopkins develops an argument that relates experience to his own adventures and struggles. He recognizes the same with his ambition and appetite. In God’s creation alone he perceives the effort of the Christian vision. He discovers the essence of his soul, the struggle and end for all difficulties, boldness and pride in the simplicity of the plan, which allows the possessor to triumph with equal struggle or ready submission. Knight and Lord Jesus Christ who no doubt succumbed to misery. and the mortification of the crucifixion.
“Brute form and virtue and action, oh, air, pride, crest, here”
Buckle! And a million fire from you.
In the poem, the poet notes the instrumental attributes of the bird in the gloss. This word ‘pin’ can mean the poet’s absolute submission to the abstinent dictates of the priesthood. ‘buckle’ here has two meanings. It can mean ‘to fall under the weight’ or ‘to prepare for something’. In such a view, ecstasy, initiation and the royal flight of the bird pale in comparison, as ‘wild beauty’, ‘virtue’, ‘action’, ‘pride’ and ‘crest’ are relegated to spiritual initiation. Without exception the poet abandons this and pursues an ascetic study which gives the impression of slow action.
Hopkins says, if the effort of the falcon be revived in his mind, then from the same, the fire, glory also bursts forth in the poet. The majesty, divine power and virtue will multiply exponentially as the external grace of God apprehended and as a visible sign of the ultimate creative power of the Artist. “Chevalier” echoes the chivalric words “dolphin” and “minion” and the dolphin himself is second to the monarch himself. The falcon, therefore, undoubtedly stands for Christ, who alone is second to God.
The poem also emphasizes the Christian concept of work that is “slow” in action. It is laborious or ‘mere plado’ to push the vomit through the slime which makes it bright and shiny. The end of the poem suggests a struggle between the high principles of Christian religion and earthly prudence. But the vision of Christ suffering in the crucifixion arose at the end. The “bite” and “wound” signify the severity and the tearing of the Saviour’s heart.
The poem is therefore an affirmation of Christian purpose and a euphoric endorsement of the poet’s personal faith. Nature to Hopkins that the sacraments are for Christians: “an external and visible sign of an internal spiritual grace.”
