Welcome, fellow explorers of language and meaning, to a journey into the profound depths of Gerard Manley Hopkins’s remarkable poem, “The Habit of Perfection.” This piece is not merely a collection of words; it is an invitation, a spiritual exercise, and a masterclass in poetic artistry. Prepare to uncover the layers of sound, sense, and spirit that make this poem a timeless treasure.
Elected silence, sing to me
And beat upon my walled ear,
Pipe me to pastures still and be
The music that I care to hear.Shape nothing, lips; be lovely dumb,
It is the shut, the curfew sent
From there where all surrenders come,
Which only makes you eloquent.Be shelled, eyes, with double dark,
And find the uncreated light.
This ruck and reel which you remark,
Coils, keeps, and teases simple sight.Palate, the hutch of tasty lust,
Desire not to be rinsed with wine.
The can must be so sweet, the crust
So fresh that comes in fasts divine.Nostrils, your careless breath that spend,
Upon the stir and keep of pride.
What relish shall the censers send,
Along the sanctuary side?O feel‑of‑primrose hands, O feet,
That want the yield of plushy sward.
But you shall walk the golden street,
And you unhouse and house the Lord.And, poverty, be thou the bride,
And now the marriage feast begun,
And lily‑coloured clothes provide,
Your spouse not laboured‑at nor spun.
Unveiling “The Habit of Perfection”: A Summary and Core Ideas
“The Habit of Perfection” by Gerard Manley Hopkins, penned in 1866 during his time at Oxford, stands as a powerful testament to spiritual discipline and the pursuit of divine connection. The poem articulates a profound personal commitment to quieting the external world and cultivating an inner state of perfect attention to the divine.
At its heart, this poem explores the practice of sensory renunciation. Hopkins systematically addresses each of the five senses, along with the hands and feet, urging them to cease their worldly engagements. The speaker commands silence to “sing,” lips to be “dumb” yet “eloquent,” eyes to embrace “double dark” to find “uncreated light,” and the palate to reject earthly delights for “fasts divine.” This is not a rejection of life itself, but a redirection of desire and perception away from transient pleasures towards an enduring spiritual reality.
The central idea revolves around the paradox that true spiritual insight and eloquence emerge not from indulgence, but from disciplined restraint. By quieting the clamor of the senses and embracing a life of simplicity, one can achieve a deeper, more authentic connection with the divine. The poem culminates in the embrace of “poverty” as a spiritual bride, symbolizing a profound detachment from material possessions and an unwavering devotion to a higher calling. “The Habit of Perfection” is thus a guide to inner stillness, a meditation on the distractions of everyday life, and a blueprint for a spiritually focused existence.
A Deep Dive into the Poetic Craft: Analysis of “The Habit of Perfection”
Gerard Manley Hopkins was a master craftsman, and “The Habit of Perfection” showcases his innovative use of literary and poetic devices. These techniques are not mere embellishments; they are the very fabric through which the poem’s profound spiritual message is conveyed, creating a rich, immersive, and unforgettable experience for the reader. Understanding these elements unlocks a deeper appreciation for Hopkins’s genius and the poem’s enduring power.
Exploring Key Literary Devices in “The Habit of Perfection”
- Alliteration: Crafting Rhythmic Emphasis
Alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds, adds a musical quality and emphasizes specific words or ideas. Hopkins employs this device to great effect, as seen in the line:Be shelled, eyes, with double dark,
The repeated ‘d’ sound here creates a sense of profound closure and the deliberate act of shutting out external vision, reinforcing the theme of sensory deprivation. Other examples include “pipe me to pastures” and “sanctuary side.”
- Assonance: The Echo of Vowel Sounds
Assonance involves the repetition of vowel sounds within words, contributing to the poem’s melodic flow and drawing attention to certain phrases. Consider these lines:Pipe me to pastures still and be
The music that I care to hear.The recurring long ‘i’ and ‘e’ sounds create a sustained, almost meditative resonance, mirroring the quiet, internal music the speaker seeks.
- Consonance: Subtle Harmony of Consonants
Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words, often creating a subtle, underlying harmony. Observe its use in:This ruck and reel which you remark,
The repeated ‘r’ sound here evokes the chaotic, swirling nature of worldly distractions, which the speaker wishes to transcend.
- Enjambment: Guiding the Reader’s Flow
Enjambment occurs when a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without a grammatical pause, creating a sense of momentum and urgency. The opening lines provide a clear example:Elected silence, sing to me
And beat upon my walled ear,This technique draws the reader immediately into the speaker’s plea, creating a continuous thought that flows seamlessly across the line break.
- Imagery: Engaging the Senses for Spiritual Insight
Hopkins’s use of vivid imagery is central to the poem’s power, appealing directly to the reader’s senses even as the speaker calls for sensory restraint. Phrases like “feel‑of‑primrose hands” and “plushy sward” evoke tactile sensations, while “lily‑coloured clothes” offer a striking visual impression of purity and simplicity. These images make the abstract spiritual journey tangible and relatable. - Metaphor: Symbolic Transformations
Metaphor is a direct comparison between two unlike things, asserting that one *is* the other. In the final stanza, poverty is transformed through metaphor:And, poverty, be thou the bride,
Here, poverty is not merely a state of lacking material wealth, but is elevated to the status of a cherished companion, a “bride,” symbolizing spiritual freedom, detachment, and devotion to a higher purpose.
- Paradox: Unveiling Deeper Truths
A paradox is a seemingly self-contradictory statement that, upon closer examination, reveals a deeper truth. Hopkins masterfully employs paradox to articulate the poem’s core message. Consider these lines:Elected silence, sing to me
and
Shape nothing, lips; be lovely dumb,
…Which only makes you eloquent.Silence cannot literally “sing,” nor can dumbness make one “eloquent.” The paradox reveals that true spiritual “music” and “eloquence” are found not in outward expression or sensory input, but in an internal, spiritual listening and a disciplined restraint of the physical senses.
- Personification: Giving Life to Abstract Concepts
Personification attributes human qualities or actions to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. Hopkins personifies various senses and concepts throughout the poem:Elected silence, sing to me
and
Poverty, be thou the bride,
By addressing silence as if it can sing, and poverty as if it can be a bride, Hopkins makes these abstract concepts more immediate, relatable, and active participants in the speaker’s spiritual quest.
- Symbolism: Layers of Meaning
Symbolism uses objects or ideas to represent something else, often a deeper, more abstract concept. In the final stanza, “lily‑coloured clothes” symbolize purity, innocence, and the unadorned simplicity of a spiritual life. The “golden street” represents the path to spiritual enlightenment and the divine realm, a contrast to the “plushy sward” of earthly comfort.
Analyzing Poetic Structure and Form in “The Habit of Perfection”
- Diction: Precise and Evocative Language
Hopkins’s diction is notably precise, often unconventional, and highly evocative. He uses words that create a distinct atmosphere and reinforce the poem’s themes of spiritual discipline and sensory transformation. Examples include “walled ear” suggesting a deliberate closing off, “lovely dumb” for a beautiful silence, “double dark” for profound sensory deprivation, “ruck and reel” to describe worldly chaos, and “hutch of tasty lust” for the palate’s desires. This careful word choice contributes significantly to the poem’s unique texture and meaning. - End Rhyme and Rhyme Scheme: Musicality and Order
The poem consistently employs an end rhyme scheme of ABAB in each of its seven quatrains. This regular pattern, such as “me/be” and “ear/hear” in the first stanza, creates a strong sense of musicality and order. This structured harmony underpins the speaker’s quest for internal discipline and spiritual balance, providing a stable framework for the poem’s intense spiritual exploration. - Quatrains and Stanzaic Form: Building Blocks of Meaning
“The Habit of Perfection” is composed of seven quatrains, or four-line stanzas. Each quatrain functions as a distinct unit of thought, often focusing on a specific sense or aspect of the spiritual discipline. This consistent stanzaic form provides a clear, organized progression through the speaker’s address to each part of the body and culminates in the overarching embrace of poverty, allowing the reader to follow the development of the poem’s themes with clarity.
The Enduring Message of “The Habit of Perfection”
Gerard Manley Hopkins’s “The Habit of Perfection” remains a profound and inspiring work, offering timeless insights into the nature of spiritual discipline and the pursuit of inner peace. Through its intricate use of literary and poetic devices, the poem guides readers on a journey of sensory renunciation, revealing that true eloquence, light, and fulfillment are found not in external gratification, but in a deliberate turning inward. The poem’s call to embrace simplicity and cultivate a “habit of perfection” continues to resonate, encouraging a deeper connection with the divine and a richer understanding of the self. It stands as a powerful reminder that by quieting the world, one can truly begin to hear the music of the soul.