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Symbolism In Hopkin's "The Windhover" - Papers Online

Symbolism In Hopkin's "The Windhover"

The windhover takes its' name from its ability to hover steady over
one spot in the face of the wind. The subject of the poem is the poets
admiration for a balance acheived in the face of violent motion, and both
admiration of the transcendental example of Christ. The poems argument then
is Hopkins interpretation of Christ and Christian action.
"The Windhover" bears a religious dedication: "to Christ our Lord",
and yet contains no explicit element of traditional religious symbolism
except possibly the falcon. Its imagery expresses ease and balance. The
mention of "blue-black embers" comes from the tinge of coals in full heat,
instead of using blue in order to indicate Marys color ...

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of Christ.
Yet Christ is not symbolized through traditional symbols, but in clay and
coal. In this Christ is shown to be a component of a physical or material
world.
The flame from the windhover indicates self-sacrifice under stress.
It is interesting that Hopkins puts AND in capitals and the resulting flame
is described as a billion times lovelier than the windhovers image. Maybe
the AND expresses the poets surprise that the spendor of self-sacrifice
should be greater than the windhovers ability to stand still in the air. At
the end of the poem Hopkins said "no wonder of it" because everything in
the world has the mark of sacrifice on ...

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Symbolism In Hopkin's "The Windhover". (2005, February 24). Retrieved January 6, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Symbolism-In-Hopkins-The-Windhover/22749

"Symbolism In Hopkin's "The Windhover"." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 24 Feb. 2005. Web. 6 Jan. 2026. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Symbolism-In-Hopkins-The-Windhover/22749>

"Symbolism In Hopkin's "The Windhover"." Essayworld.com. February 24, 2005. Accessed January 6, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Symbolism-In-Hopkins-The-Windhover/22749.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 2/24/2005 01:26:41 AM
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 318
Pages: 2

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