In Our Time Gerard Manley Hopkins
Mar 21, 2019
Catherine Phillips, a R.J. Owens Fellow in English at Downing College, Jane Wright, a Senior Lecturer in English Literature, and Martin Dubois, an Assistant Professor of Nineteenth Century Literature, dive into the extraordinary life of Gerard Manley Hopkins. They discuss the tension between his vocation as a Jesuit priest and his poetic aspirations. The guests explore themes of faith, nature, and the innovative 'Sprung Rhythm' in his works like 'The Windhover.' They also reflect on his emotional depth, isolation, and the lasting impact of his unique style.
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Hopkins' Rebellion
- Gerard Hopkins tested his limits by abstaining from liquids, like a sailor, until his tongue turned black.
- Headmaster Dine, furious at this rebellious act, punished Hopkins, leading him to become a day boarder.
Hopkins' Conversion
- At Oxford, Hopkins shifted his religious views amidst the university's religious controversies, joining the High Church movement.
- He later converted to Roman Catholicism, a significant decision influenced by John Henry Newman, despite potential estrangement from his family.
Bridges' Role
- Robert Bridges, Hopkins' lifelong friend, initially baffled by his conversion, became the guardian of his poems.
- Bridges' preservation and later publication of Hopkins' work proved crucial for his posthumous recognition.
