Discuss the life and works of G.M. Hopkins.

Ans.

LIFE AND WORKS

G. M. Hopkins was born on July 28, 1844 at Stratford, Essex. He was the eldest of nine children. he belonged to a middle-class cultured family of High Church Anglicanism. His father wrote some poems as well as a couple of books. His mother was interested in German Philosophy. His aunt took interest in him and taught him Elizabethan tunes and folk songs. Of his three sisters one was fond of sketching, another one played upon piano and the eldest one became a nun. His two brothers became professional artists. His ideal was D.G. Rossetti and like him he wanted to become a poet-painter as drawing was his favourite subject.

Hopkins in the beginning of his career showed interest in aesthetic and ascetic. Later on he became interested in physical beauty and spirituality. His changed his figure. Gerard could not tolerate the ridicule of his younger brother and due to his own temperament he began to chastise his own body. For one week he denied for salt in the hostel and for another week he remained away from water. He wanted to show that he could become a good sailor or soldier.

In 1860 Gerard won Poetry Prize for his The Escorial at Highgate School. In 1863 he came in the contact with Ruskin, Walter Pater and William Morris at Balliol College, Oxford. He became highly religious here and under the impact of his slogan he wrote The Habit of High Perfection. His poems written during 1862-6, throw a deep light on his ascetic and aesthetic career. He wrote many monologue, lyrics, plays and pastorals hardly complete. He was interested in many authors and it did not help him to, set his pen and brain. He was a scholar of Greek and won double first class during the study in Oxford. In 1868 Gerard visited Switzerland and in order to become a priest he wanted to get training for nine years. When Gerard entered in his training he burnt all his poems and sketches which he wrote and vowed not to write anymore until he is asked by ecclesiastical authority to do so. He wrote his The Wreck of the Deutschland in 1875, on the suggestion of some superior to elegize the five Franciscan nuns.

At Oxford Gerard became friend of Robert Bridges. This was life long friendship and Gerard sent his poem to him. He loved and demanded suggestions from his teacher R. W. Dixon. These three men conversed throughout their lives for their poems and literary criticism. Dixon and Bridges got their works published but Gerard could not due to his religious scruples. After his ordination in 1877 Gerard became a preacher, priest and teacher in classics in London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Oxford, Stonyhurst and Chesterfield.

In the same year he composed ten splendid sonnets. He could not become a famous priest and teacher during his life. In 1884 he was appointed as the Professor of Greek Literature at University College, Dublin. He had different moods and domestic weariness which decreased his health. His deep spiritual unrest is reflected in his poem Spelt from Sibyl’s Leaves and six sonnets beginning with Carrion Comfort. He was oppressed by a sense of failure.

Gerard was a Parish Priest and a teacher. He was a scholar, student of music and a poet. Fame is necessary to compose poetry but his notion of Jesuit Priest hindered to get personal fame and compose poetry. During his lifetime he was not ready to hear the suggestions of his friends that he should get his poems published but later he agreed that “some one in authority” should get his poems published after his death. From two internal conscience a voice was compelling him to compose and publish poetry. So he suggested his friend to compose for the fame of England. He could not do the same for personal glory as it was prohibited for his priestly career. He wrote in 1888. “I cannot produce at all; not only the luxuries like poetry, but the duties almost of my position. I am a eunuch but it is for the kingdom of heaven’s sake”. Therefore Jesuit Order diminished and damaged Hopkins. But these statements are a pretense. Jesuit Order did not ask him to burn his previous poetry. He was under the constant tension of being a painter or a poet. He did not copy his Victorian poets. He is an original poet.

Hopkins died without seeing his poetry published. Robert Bridges in 1918 published his poems. Fourth Edition of his poems was published by W. H. Gardener and N. H. Mackenzie in 1967 jointly. He died of typhoid on June 8, 1889 in the age of forty five.