Exploring the Beauty of Nature in Gerard Manley Hopkins' 'The Windhover'

Witnessing the flight of a bird, soaring gracefully through the sky, evokes a sense of wonder and amazement. In his poem 'The Windhover' (1918), Gerard Manley Hopkins captures the magnificence and strength of a Kestrel falcon, also known as a Windhover, as it hovers and dives in pursuit of its prey. This natural spectacle not only captivates Hopkins, but also inspires him to contemplate the meaning of life through the lens of his Christian faith.

The Background of 'The Windhover'

Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote 'The Windhover' on May 30, 1877, while studying theology at St. Bueno's College in North Wales. A few months later, he was ordained as a Jesuit priest. His religious studies and love for nature, seen as a reflection of God's glory, inspired him to write this poem.

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