Spring
Nothing is so beautiful as Spring,
When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;
Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightning to hear him sing;
The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.What is all this juice and all this joy?
A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning
In Eden garden.
Have, get, before it cloy,
Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,
Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.
Understanding “Spring”
Gerard Manley Hopkins’s “Spring” is a vibrant and intensely felt sonnet celebrating the renewal and beauty of the spring season. Beyond a simple depiction of nature, the poem connects this earthly rebirth with spiritual themes of creation, innocence, and the hope of redemption. It is a poem brimming with energy, vivid imagery, and a deep sense of wonder. The poem masterfully links the joyful awakening of nature with a yearning for a return to a pristine Eden like state, while acknowledging the presence of sin and the need for divine grace.
The Essence of the Poem
At its heart, “Spring” is a paean to life’s exuberance. Hopkins doesn’t merely describe spring; he experiences it with all his senses. The initial octave bursts with descriptions of natural vitality – weeds growing, birds singing, trees blossoming, lambs leaping. This sensory overload establishes the overwhelming joy of the season. The sestet then shifts to a more contemplative mood, questioning the source of this joy and linking it to the idyllic beginnings of creation, as described in the Garden of Eden. The plea for preservation of innocence and the acknowledgement of Christ’s sacrifice add a layer of religious significance, elevating the poem beyond a simple nature study.
In-Depth Analysis
Stanza 1: A Symphony of Spring
The opening lines immediately establish the poem’s central claim: “Nothing is so beautiful as Spring,”. This declarative statement is a conviction rather than a preference. The imagery that follows explodes with life. The phrase “weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely” uses alliteration and the unusual image of weeds growing in wheels to create a sense of dynamic, swirling energy. The verb “shoot” is powerful, suggesting rapid growth and vitality. Words like “lovely” and “lush” emphasize the abundant beauty of the season.
Hopkins does not limit his description to visual elements. The “thrush’s eggs look little low heavens” is a striking metaphor, comparing delicate eggs to a miniature version of the sky and hinting at divine creation. The sound of the thrush is equally vivid: “Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring / The ear, it strikes like lightning to hear him sing.” The verbs “rinse” and “wring” suggest an intensity that is almost painful, while the simile comparing the song to lightning highlights its suddenness and brilliance. The “glassy peartree leaves and blooms” and the “racing lambs” further contribute to the overall impression of dynamic energy and vibrant life.
Stanza 2: Connecting Earth and Divinity
The sestet begins with a rhetorical question: “What is all this juice and all this joy?” This is not a genuine inquiry; it is a way of acknowledging the overwhelming beauty and energy of spring and prompting reflection on its source. The answer, the poet suggests, lies in “A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning / In Eden garden.” This connects the present moment of spring with the original creation, evoking a sense of paradise lost.
The lines “Have, get, before it cloy, / Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning” are crucial. Hopkins urges us to fully experience the joy of spring before it fades, and before the inevitable presence of sin and suffering clouds our perception. The plea to “Christ, lord” suggests that divine grace is necessary to preserve innocence and overcome the corrupting influence of sin. The final lines – “Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy, / Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning” – express hope. “Mayday” evokes celebrations of springtime joy and innocence, while the address to Christ as “maid’s child” (referring to the Virgin Mary) reinforces the idea that redemption comes through divine love and sacrifice. The poem ends with a reaffirmation that Christ’s choice and victory are worthy of winning, offering a sense of hope and renewal.
Literary and Poetic Devices
Literary Devices
- Metaphor: “Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens” links the natural world with the divine.
- Simile: “It strikes like lightning to hear him sing” creates a vivid image of the thrush’s powerful song.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds in lines like “weeds, in wheels, shoot” and “rinse and wring” adds musicality and emphasizes certain words.
- Imagery: The poem is rich in sensory imagery, appealing to sight, sound, and touch, creating a vibrant and immersive experience for the reader.
- Rhetorical Question: “What is all this juice and all this joy?” is not a question seeking an answer, but a way to emphasize the overwhelming beauty of spring.
Poetic Devices
- Sonnet Form: The poem is a Petrarchan sonnet, comprising an octave and a sestet.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem employs a complex rhyme scheme (ABBAABBA CDCDCD), creating a musical and harmonious effect.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next creates a sense of flow and momentum, mirroring the dynamic energy of spring.
- Sprung Rhythm: Hopkins was known for his innovative use of “sprung rhythm,” which emphasizes the natural stress patterns of English speech, giving the poem a distinctive and energetic rhythm.
Quotes for Reflection
“Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,”
These lines serve as a powerful reminder to cherish innocence, embrace joy, and seek divine grace in a world often marred by suffering and sin.
“Spring” is a truly remarkable poem – a testament to the power of language to capture the beauty of the natural world and explore the deepest questions of the human spirit. It invites us to reconnect with the wonder of creation, to embrace joy, and to seek hope in the face of adversity.