As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;
As we tumble over the rim of a round well
Stones ring like the bells of the world, and the bright fire of their souls;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves—goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,
Crying What I do is me: for that I came.I say more: the just man justices;
Keeps grace: that keeps all his goings graces;
Acts in God’s eye what in God’s eye he is –
Christ, for Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men’s faces.
Unlocking “As Kingfishers Catch Fire”: A Journey into Self-Expression
Gerard Manley Hopkins’ “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” stands as a brilliant exploration of identity, action, and divine presence. This poem, celebrated for its vivid imagery and profound insights, invites readers to consider how every entity, from the smallest creature to humanity itself, expresses its unique essence through its very being and actions. It is a work that not only observes the natural world but also proposes a deep, spiritual connection between what something does and what it fundamentally is.
The Poem’s Core Message: What “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” Reveals
At its heart, “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” articulates the concept of inherent self-expression. The poem posits that every individual thing, whether animate or inanimate, possesses an inner nature that it actively “deals out” to the world. This outward manifestation is not merely an action; it is the very declaration of its identity. The opening lines immediately establish this principle:
As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;
As we tumble over the rim of a round well
Stones ring like the bells of the world, and the bright fire of their souls;
Here, the kingfisher’s flash of color and the dragonfly’s iridescent gleam are not just visual phenomena; they are the creatures “catching fire” and “drawing flame,” embodying their essential selves. Similarly, a stone dropped into a well does not just fall; it “rings like the bells of the world,” its sound a declaration of its being. This idea culminates in the powerful assertion:
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves—goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,
Crying What I do is me: for that I came.
This section emphasizes that every action is an articulation of an inner self, a fundamental “selving” that defines existence. The poem then extends this profound concept to humanity, particularly to the “just man.” For Hopkins, righteous action is not just moral behavior; it is a manifestation of divine grace and a reflection of God’s presence within the individual. The poem suggests a unity between one’s inner nature, outward expression, and a divine purpose, asserting that God is immanent in all creation.
A noteworthy aspect of “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” is its exemplary use of Gerard Manley Hopkins’ distinctive poetic style. The poem showcases his innovative “sprung rhythm,” a metrical system designed to mimic natural speech patterns by counting only stressed syllables. This technique, alongside dense imagery, rich alliteration, and a unique approach to diction, gives the poem its vibrant energy and musicality. The poem’s deep religious undertones, reflecting Hopkins’ Jesuit faith, are central to its meaning, illustrating his belief that the divine can be perceived and experienced through the specific, unique qualities of all creation.
Deep Dive: Analyzing “As Kingfishers Catch Fire”
Hopkins masterfully employs a rich array of literary and poetic devices to craft a poem that is both intellectually stimulating and aesthetically captivating. An examination of these techniques reveals the intricate layers of meaning within “As Kingfishers Catch Fire.”
The Artistry of Language: Literary Devices
The poem’s impact is significantly amplified by Hopkins’ skillful use of literary devices, which imbue the language with vividness and depth.
- Imagery: Hopkins’ poetry is renowned for its striking and precise imagery, which appeals directly to the senses. The opening lines provide immediate examples, creating a dazzling visual spectacle:
As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;
This imagery captures the vibrant energy and fleeting beauty of the natural world, making the abstract concept of self-expression tangible. The “bright fire of their souls” further personifies the inanimate stones, giving them an inner luminosity.
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds is a hallmark of Hopkins’ style, adding musicality and emphasis. The line “dragonflies draw flame” is a prime example, where the repeated ‘d’ and ‘f’ sounds create a flowing, energetic quality that mirrors the movement described. Similarly, “speaks and spells” draws attention to the act of declaration.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words contributes to the poem’s lyrical quality. Observe the recurring ‘e’ sound in “Deals out that being indoors each one dwells,” which creates a sense of internal resonance, reflecting the inner “being” described. The long ‘i’ sound in “bright fire” also adds a shimmering effect.
- Consonance: This device involves the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words, creating subtle sonic textures. In “Each mortal thing does one thing and the same,” the repetition of the ‘ng’ sound subtly links the words, reinforcing the idea of a singular, consistent action. The ‘l’ and ‘s’ sounds in “Stones ring like the bells of the world” also demonstrate consonance, adding to the line’s resonance.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a grammatical pause is frequently used, creating a sense of momentum and fluidity. Consider these lines:
As we tumble over the rim of a round well
Stones ring like the bells of the world, and the bright fire of their souls;The thought flows seamlessly across the line break, mirroring the continuous action of the tumbling stone and the unfolding of its essence.
- Metaphor: The entire poem operates on a profound metaphorical level. The actions of natural objects, like kingfishers catching fire or stones ringing, serve as a metaphor for the inherent self-expression of all beings. This central metaphor extends to the idea of Christ’s presence in all creation, where human actions become a metaphor for divine manifestation.
- Symbolism: Various elements within the poem carry symbolic weight. “Fire” frequently symbolizes divine energy, essential nature, and the spark of life. The “bells” symbolize declaration, resonance, and communication of an inner truth. The “just man” symbolizes righteous living and the human capacity to reflect the divine, acting as a conduit for grace.
Crafting Sound and Structure: Poetic Devices
Beyond the literary techniques, specific poetic devices shape the unique style and profound meaning of “As Kingfishers Catch Fire.”
- Diction: Hopkins’ word choice is highly deliberate and often innovative. He frequently uses verbs as nouns or invents new verb forms, such as “justices” in “the just man justices.” This unique diction, along with his use of compound words and unusual syntax, allows him to pack intense meaning into concise phrases and to bend language to his expressive will. The phrase “Selves—goes itself” exemplifies this, transforming “self” into a verb to emphasize the active process of becoming.
- Sprung Rhythm: This is perhaps the most defining characteristic of Hopkins’ poetry. Sprung rhythm is a system of versification where the meter is determined by the number of stressed syllables in a line, rather than a fixed pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. This creates a rhythm that closely mimics natural speech, allowing for greater flexibility and expressiveness. It gives the poem a dynamic, almost breathless quality, reflecting the vibrant energy of the subjects described.
- Rhyme Scheme and End Rhyme: “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” is a Petrarchan sonnet, adhering to a specific rhyme scheme. The octave (first eight lines) follows an ABBAABBA pattern, as seen with “flame” (A), “well” (B), “souls” (B), “same” (A), “dwells” (B), “spells” (B), “came” (A). The sestet (final six lines) typically follows a CDCDCD or CDECDE pattern; here, it is CDCDCD with “justices” (C), “graces” (D), “is” (C), “places” (D), “his” (C), “faces” (D). This intricate rhyme scheme contributes to the poem’s structural coherence and musical flow, reinforcing its layered meaning.
- Stanza: The poem is divided into two distinct stanzas: an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The first stanza focuses on the self-expression of natural objects and the universal principle that every entity declares its being through its actions. The second stanza extends this concept to humanity, specifically the “just man,” and culminates in the profound theological assertion of Christ’s immanence in all creation. This division allows for a logical progression of ideas from the natural world to the spiritual realm.
The Enduring Resonance of “As Kingfishers Catch Fire”
The concluding lines of “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” offer a powerful synthesis of the poem’s themes, revealing the ultimate purpose of self-expression and righteous living:
Acts in God’s eye what in God’s eye he is –
Christ, for Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men’s faces.
These lines profoundly convey the idea that God is not distant but intimately present within all creation. The “just man” becomes a vessel through which Christ’s divine essence “plays” and manifests, making the divine visible “through the features of men’s faces.” This suggests that every act of authentic self-expression, particularly righteous action, is a participation in the divine, a reflection of God’s grace, and a testament to the beauty of creation.
“As Kingfishers Catch Fire” is a poem that richly rewards careful reading and repeated engagement. Its complex language, vibrant imagery, and profound philosophical and theological themes continue to captivate and inspire readers. By understanding the intricate literary and poetic devices Hopkins employs, one can unlock the poem’s full meaning and appreciate its enduring power as a celebration of identity, action, and the pervasive presence of the divine in the world.