“As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins

“As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins was first published posthumously in 1918 in the collection Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins, edited by his friend Robert Bridges. The poem, written in 1877, is a stunning example of Hopkins’s unique poetic style and religious devotion. It employs a Petrarchan sonnet form, but is infused with his groundbreaking “sprung rhythm,” utilizing stressed syllables and alliteration to create a powerful, vibrant effect. The poem also showcases Hopkins’s concept of “inscape,” a belief that each created thing possesses a distinct essence that reflects the divine. Through vivid natural imagery and a celebration of individuality, Hopkins suggests that true fulfillment lies in expressing our inner selves as a testament to God’s creation.

Text: “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Annotations: “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Line	Annotation
As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;	The opening line uses vibrant imagery of kingfishers and dragonflies, their bright colors seemingly catching fire in the sunlight. This is the first example of “inscape” – the unique essence of something being revealed.
As tumbled over rim in roundy wells	The sound of stones tumbling in a well echoes their shape and act of falling. It acts as a metaphor for how things outwardly express their inner being.
Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell’s	Continues the idea of objects expressing themselves. A plucked string or a struck bell produces a sound revealing their nature.
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;	The ringing of the bell continues, proclaiming its identity through its sound.
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:	A powerful generalization – every created thing has a purpose and a unique essence that it expresses.
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;	The inner essence (“inscape”) of each thing is continuously manifested outwardly.
Selves — goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,	The essence of a thing makes it what it is; the poem focuses on what the self is and does.
Crying Whát I dó is me: for that I came.	The being (the ‘self’) expresses its uniqueness in its actions, revealing its purpose for existing.
I say móre: the just man justices;	Beginning of the second section of the sonnet (the sestet), shifting the focus to human beings. A just person acts justly.
Keeps grace: thát keeps all his goings graces;	A person in a state of grace ensures their actions reflect that grace.
Acts in God’s eye what in God’s eye he is —	This echoes the idea of inscape; a person’s true nature in God’s eyes is revealed through their actions.
Chríst — for Christ plays in ten thousand places,	Central idea: Christ is embodied in all acts done according to His nature, whether people consciously realize it or not.
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his	Christ’s beauty and essence shine through others, sometimes even those unaware of His presence.
To the Father through the features of men’s faces.	Humans, created in God’s image, reflect something of Christ, leading others back to the Father.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Literary/Poetic Device	Definition	Example from “As Kingfishers Catch Fire”
Alliteration	Repetition of initial consonant sounds	“Fire, flame… fling out broad its name”
Allusion	Reference to another work or figure	“Christ… plays in ten thousand places*…” (*alludes to Christ’s presence and influence)
Anaphora	Repetition of a word or phrase at the start of lines.	“Each mortal thing… Each hung bell’s…”
Assonance	Repetition of vowel sounds within words	“stones ring…. hung bell’s”
Caesura	A pause or break within a line of poetry	“Selves — goes itself; myself it speaks…”
Enjambment	Continuation of a sentence across lines of poetry	“As tumbled over rim in roundy wells / Stones ring…”
Hyperbole	Exaggeration for emphasis	“Christ plays in ten thousand places”
Imagery	Language creating vivid sensory impressions	“As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame”
Inversion (Anastrophe)	Reversal of usual word order	“Deals out that being indoors each one dwells”
Metaphor	Comparison without using “like” or “as”	“Bow swung finds tongue to fling out…” (bell tolling)
Onomatopoeia	Words that sound like their meaning	“Stones ring… fling out”
Oxymoron	Contradictory terms placed together	“roundy wells”
Parallelism	Similar grammatical structure in phrases or lines	“Keeps grace: that keeps all his goings graces”
Personification	Giving human qualities to non-human things	“Bow swung finds tongue…” (bell ringing)
Repetition	Repeating words or phrases for emphasis	“Each… each… its name”
Rhetorical Question	A question posed for effect, not an answer	“Crying Whát I dó is me: for that I came.”
Rhythm	The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables	Hopkins’ unique “sprung rhythm” is heavily used
Sibilance	Emphasis on “s” sounds	“Selves — goes itself…”
Simile	Comparison using “like” or “as”	“like each tucked string tells…”
Symbolism	An object or image representing a larger idea	Kingfishers and fire represent inscape

Themes: “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Inscape and the Expression of Uniqueness:

• Every created thing possesses a distinctive, vibrant essence known as its “inscape.”
• This inscape defines an object’s true identity and finds expression in its outward actions or appearance.
• The poem celebrates the inherent beauty and importance of individuality and self-expression.

The Reflection of the Divine in Creation:

• Hopkins, a devout Jesuit priest, sees God’s hand reflected in the natural world.
• The inscape of each thing ultimately mirrors an aspect of God’s creative power.
• True fulfillment for humans lies in recognizing and expressing our own God-given nature.

Christ as Immanent Presence:

• The poem posits that Christ’s beauty and essence are embodied in the virtuous actions of others.
• This can occur even in people who may not explicitly follow Christian teachings.
• Everyday acts of grace and goodness become manifestations of Christ.

The Human Role in Creation:

• Humans, as beings created in God’s image, possess unique potential and responsibility.
• Our actions contribute to the ongoing beauty and meaning of the world.
• By aligning our lives with divine principles, we become channels for God’s presence on earth.

Literary Theories and “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Literary Theory	Explanation	Example from “As Kingfishers Catch Fire”
Formalism / New Criticism	Emphasizes close reading of the text, examining structure, language, and literary devices to derive meaning.	* Hopkins’s innovative “sprung rhythm,” rich alliteration, and striking sound devices create a dynamic effect reflecting the poem’s focus on expressive energy and individuality. * The Petrarchan sonnet form provides a framework: the octave establishes the principle of inscape, the sestet applies this concept to human action and the divine.
Reader-Response Theory	Focuses on the reader’s active role in constructing meaning from the text, influenced by their individual experiences and perspectives.	* The poem’s vivid nature imagery (“kingfishers catch fire”) may resonate deeply with readers who have a strong connection to the natural world. * The poem’s theological underpinnings may elicit diverse responses based on the reader’s own religious or spiritual beliefs.
Ecocriticism	Examines the relationship between literature and the environment, often highlighting ecological themes and concerns.	* The poem’s celebration of natural elements (kingfishers, dragonflies, fire) reflects a deep reverence for the interconnectedness of the natural world. * The concept of inscape suggests an intrinsic value in all beings, aligning with ecological principles of interdependence.
Religious / Theological Criticism	Explores the intersection of faith and literature, analyzing religious themes, symbolism, and spiritual implications within the text.	* The concept of inscape reflects Christian beliefs about the soul and the inherent imprint of the divine within creation. * The poem’s assertion that Christ’s nature manifests in virtuous acts offers a nuanced theological perspective on grace and human agency.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Analyzes literature through psychological frameworks, examining unconscious desires, motivations, and the symbolic significance of characters and actions.	* The poem’s emphasis on self-expression and the declaration “Crying Whát I dó is me: for that I came” could reveal a yearning for self-actualization and validation. * The focus on individuality and fulfilling one’s true nature may suggest internal conflicts or a struggle against societal expectations.

Critical Questions about “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins

• How does Hopkins’ concept of “inscape” shape his poetic vision?
• Hopkins believed that each created thing possessed a unique essence (“inscape”) that defined its identity. This concept drives his vivid imagery and emphasis on the dynamic outward expression of inner being. Lines like “As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame” illustrate this focus on revealing the essence of nature.
• What is the relationship between the natural world and the divine in the poem?
• Hopkins, deeply religious, saw God reflected in nature. The poem suggests that natural inscapes mirror divine creation and that beauty in both realms is interconnected. The final lines highlight this: “Lovely in limbs…to the Father through the features of men’s faces” – human beauty, an echo of Christ, reveals a path toward God.
• How does Hopkins employ poetic form and sound devices for meaning?
• Though a Petrarchan sonnet (traditionally about love), Hopkins disrupts form with innovative “sprung rhythm” and rich sonic effects (assonance, alliteration). This mirrors the poem’s theme: individuality and authentic expression can break traditional molds. The energetic lines “Deals out that being…Crying What I do is me…” exemplify this.
• In what ways is Christ presented as a transcendent yet immanent figure?
• The poem transcends traditional Christ-as-Savior imagery. While asserting God’s transcendence, it emphasizes Christ’s presence in unexpected places: “Christ plays in ten thousand places.” Even in those unaware of Him, good deeds reveal Christ’s influence, suggesting a broader, more active expression of divinity.

Literary Works Similar to “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Literary Works with Thematic and Stylistic Similarities to “As Kingfishers Catch Fire”:

• Other works by Gerard Manley Hopkins: Hopkins’s distinct style and focus on nature, spirituality, and individuality pervade his entire poetic output. Consider exploring:
  • “The Windhover”: This poem celebrates the falcon’s power and beauty, finding parallels with Christ. Its vibrant imagery and sprung rhythm resonate with “As Kingfishers Catch Fire.”
  • “Pied Beauty”: Praising God’s creation, this poem focuses on the diversity and wonder of the natural world, echoing the concept of inscape.
  • “God’s Grandeur”: Reflects on the persistence of the divine in nature even within a degraded world, sharing a theological focus with “As Kingfishers Catch Fire.”
• Nature poets emphasizing the essence of the natural world:
  • William Blake’s “The Tyger”: Explores the awe-inspiring beauty and power of a tiger, questioning its creation in terms of the divine. The poem’s focus on a creature’s inherent essence parallels Hopkins’s inscape.
  • Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself”: This expansive work celebrates individual identity within the vast interconnectedness of the universe, with strong emphasis on the self as a unique manifestation, similar to Hopkins’s ideas.
  • Mary Oliver’s poetry: Her work often combines precise natural observations with spiritual exploration, mirroring Hopkins’s close attention to detail and uncovering of the divine within the ordinary.
• Poetry exploring religious themes and the human spirit:
  • John Donne’s Holy Sonnets: These introspective poems deeply examine sin, mortality, and the struggle for salvation, sharing Hopkins’s theological focus but contrasting in tone.
  • T.S. Eliot’s “Four Quartets”: This profound work delves into complex meditations on time, memory, and spiritual meaning. It shares Hopkins’ theological interest but with a greater focus on philosophical abstraction.
  • Denise Levertov’s poetry: Her work often blends natural imagery with explorations of faith and spirituality, exhibiting a shared thematic link with Hopkins.

Suggested Readings: “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Articles:

• Cotter, James Finn. “’As Kingfishers Catch Fire’: A Sense of Creation.” Renascence: Essays on Values in Literature, vol. 48, no. 4, 1996, pp. 259-273. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/41952770
• Mariani, Paul. “‘Each Tucked String Tells’: As Kingfishers Catch Fire.” A Commentary on the Complete Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins, Cornell University Press, 1970, pp 146-49.
• Ward, J. P. “‘Each in its Kind’: ‘As Kingfishers Catch Fire’.” The Explicator, vol. 31, no. 8, 1973, Item 61. DOI: 10.1080/00144940.1973.11481499

Book Chapters:

• Cotter, James Finn. “As Kingfishers Catch Fire.” Inscape: The Christology and Poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins. University of Pittsburgh Press, 1972, pp. 82-90.

Websites:

• Ordway, Holly. “As Kingfishers Catch Fire: Selected and Annotated Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins.” Word on Fire. 2020, https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/fellows/as-kingfishers-catch-fire-gerard-manley-hopkins-christ-centered-vision/
• “As Kingfishers Catch Fire.” Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44389/as-kingfishers-catch-fire