'I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark, Not Day' 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 decrees
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, Not Day" by Gerard Manley Hopkins: An Interpretation and Critique
Gerard Manley Hopkins, an acclaimed Victorian poet, is known for his innovative style, characterized by his use of "sprung rhythm," a technique that disrupts traditional metrical patterns. His poem "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark, Not Day" is a powerful meditation on the experience of depression and the human desire for connection and redemption.
The Poem: An Overview
The poem is structured as a sonnet, with fourteen lines divided into two quatrains and two tercets. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCDEFEFGG, with the final couplet providing a resolution to the themes explored in the earlier lines.
The poem begins with the speaker waking up at night, feeling the "fell of dark" and sensing the absence of daylight. The word "fell" has multiple meanings - it can mean "cruel" or "terrible," but also "fierce" or "intense." This ambiguity sets the tone for the poem, as the speaker grapples with conflicting emotions and experiences.
In the second quatrain, the speaker describes his sense of isolation and disconnection from the world. The metaphor of a "vast edgeless" ocean captures both the sense of expansiveness and emptiness that the speaker feels, while the image of a "lonely ghost" emphasizes his isolation.
The first tercet introduces the theme of redemption, as the speaker acknowledges the need for a "savior" to rescue him from his despair. The second tercet expands on this theme, as the speaker expresses his longing for connection with others and with a higher power. The final couplet provides a resolution, as the speaker acknowledges that redemption is possible but requires faith and perseverance.
Interpretation
The poem is a powerful exploration of the experience of depression and the human desire for connection and redemption. The speaker's sense of disconnection and isolation is palpable, as he grapples with feelings of emptiness and despair. The metaphor of the ocean emphasizes the vastness of the speaker's emotions, while the image of the "lonely ghost" emphasizes his sense of isolation.
At the same time, the poem is not without hope. The speaker acknowledges the need for a savior and expresses his longing for connection with others and with a higher power. The final couplet provides a resolution, as the speaker acknowledges that redemption is possible but requires faith and perseverance.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of language. Hopkins' innovative use of "sprung rhythm" disrupts traditional metrical patterns, creating a sense of urgency and intensity that reflects the speaker's emotional state. The use of alliteration and internal rhyme also adds to the poem's musicality and sense of coherence.
Overall, "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark, Not Day" is a powerful meditation on the human experience of depression and the need for connection and redemption. Hopkins' innovative use of language and structure makes the poem both memorable and emotionally impactful.
Critique
While "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark, Not Day" is a powerful poem, it is not without its flaws. One of the most notable issues is its narrow focus on the speaker's experience of depression. While this focus is understandable given the context of the poem, it does limit its broader relevance and impact.
Additionally, some readers may find Hopkins' use of "sprung rhythm" and other innovative techniques to be overly complex or difficult to understand. This may limit the poem's accessibility and appeal to a wider audience.
However, these criticisms should not detract from the poem's overall impact and importance. "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark, Not Day" remains a powerful meditation on the human experience of depression and the need for connection and redemption, and Hopkins' innovative use of language and structure make it a memorable and engaging work of literature.
Conclusion
"I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark, Not Day" is a powerful and innovative poem that explores the human experience of depression and the need for connection and redemption. Hopkins' use of "sprung rhythm" and other innovative techniques creates a sense of urgency and intensity that reflects the speaker's emotional state, while the use of metaphor and imagery adds depth and complexity to the poem's themes.
While the poem is not without its flaws, its impact and importance should not be overlooked. "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark, Not Day" remains a powerful and engaging work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark, Not Day: A Masterpiece of Gerard Manley Hopkins
Gerard Manley Hopkins is a renowned poet of the Victorian era, known for his unique style and innovative use of language. His poem "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark, Not Day" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the human experience of despair and hopelessness. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, language, and structure.
The poem begins with the line "I wake and feel the fell of dark, not day," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is waking up to a world that is dark and oppressive, a world that is not filled with light and hope. The use of the word "fell" is significant here, as it suggests a sense of weight and burden that is pressing down on the speaker.
The second line of the poem continues this theme of darkness and despair, as the speaker says, "What hours, O what black hours we have spent." The use of the word "black" reinforces the idea of darkness and hopelessness, while the repetition of the word "hours" emphasizes the length and duration of this experience. The speaker is suggesting that they have spent a significant amount of time in this state of despair, and that it has been a difficult and painful experience.
The third line of the poem introduces a new element, as the speaker says, "This is not joy." Here, the speaker is contrasting the darkness and despair that they are experiencing with the idea of joy. This suggests that the speaker knows what joy is, and that they are currently experiencing something that is the opposite of joy. This contrast between joy and despair is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
The fourth line of the poem introduces the idea of sleep, as the speaker says, "This is not sleep." Here, the speaker is suggesting that they are not experiencing a normal state of sleep, but rather something that is different and more intense. This reinforces the idea that the speaker is experiencing a state of darkness and despair that is difficult to escape from.
The fifth line of the poem introduces the idea of death, as the speaker says, "This is not death." Here, the speaker is suggesting that they are not experiencing a physical death, but rather a kind of spiritual death or despair. This reinforces the idea that the speaker is experiencing something that is difficult to escape from, and that it is a kind of darkness that is all-encompassing.
The sixth line of the poem introduces the idea of a "nightmare," as the speaker says, "This is not the waking dream." Here, the speaker is suggesting that they are not experiencing a normal dream, but rather a kind of nightmare. This reinforces the idea that the speaker is experiencing something that is difficult to escape from, and that it is a kind of darkness that is all-encompassing.
The seventh line of the poem introduces the idea of a "foul witchcraft," as the speaker says, "This is not even the full of night." Here, the speaker is suggesting that they are experiencing something that is even worse than the darkness of night. The use of the word "foul" suggests that this darkness is not just unpleasant, but also evil or corrupt in some way. The use of the word "witchcraft" reinforces this idea, suggesting that this darkness is not just a natural phenomenon, but rather something that has been created by human or supernatural forces.
The eighth line of the poem introduces the idea of a "spell," as the speaker says, "This is not a field of corn." Here, the speaker is suggesting that they are experiencing something that is not natural or normal, but rather something that has been created by a kind of magic or spell. The use of the image of a "field of corn" reinforces this idea, suggesting that the speaker is experiencing something that is not just unnatural, but also destructive to the natural world.
The ninth line of the poem introduces the idea of a "spellbound," as the speaker says, "Nor a blackbird's throat." Here, the speaker is suggesting that they are experiencing something that is not just unnatural, but also oppressive or suffocating. The use of the image of a "blackbird's throat" reinforces this idea, suggesting that the speaker is experiencing something that is not just dark, but also constricting and suffocating.
The tenth and final line of the poem introduces the idea of hope, as the speaker says, "I wake and feel the fell of dark, not day." Here, the speaker is suggesting that they are waking up to a world that is still dark and oppressive, but that there is also a sense of hope or possibility. The use of the word "wake" suggests that the speaker is no longer asleep or under the spell of darkness, but rather awake and aware of their surroundings. The repetition of the opening line reinforces this idea, suggesting that the speaker is still experiencing darkness, but that there is also a sense of possibility or hope.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of ten lines, each of which is a single sentence. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and improvisation, as if the speaker is speaking directly from their own experience. The use of repetition, particularly in the opening and closing lines, gives the poem a sense of unity and coherence, while also emphasizing the central theme of darkness and hopelessness.
In terms of language, the poem is characterized by its use of vivid imagery and metaphor. The use of images such as "black hours," "nightmare," and "foul witchcraft" creates a sense of darkness and despair that is both vivid and haunting. The use of metaphor, such as the comparison of the darkness to a "spell" or a "field of corn," creates a sense of depth and complexity that is both intellectual and emotional.
In conclusion, "I Wake And Feel The Fell Of Dark, Not Day" is a masterpiece of Gerard Manley Hopkins that captures the essence of the human experience of despair and hopelessness. Through its vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, the poem creates a sense of darkness and oppression that is both haunting and powerful. At the same time, the poem also suggests a sense of hope or possibility, as the speaker wakes up to a world that is still dark, but also full of potential. Overall, this poem is a testament to the power of language and poetry to capture the complexity and depth of human experience.
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