Pied Beauty
Kimi Johnson
ENGL 102
Poetry Paper

Thesis: Hopkin’s poem “Pied Beauty” exemplifies how the beauty in even the oddest things in the world is worthy to be admired. I. Introduction A. Short description of the author and the poem B. Overall summary of the poem C. Theme of the poem D. Description of rhyming pattern II. Mood and Tone of the Poem A. Elements that set the tone of the poem B. The consistency of the tone throughout the poem III. Description of Hopkin’s perspective of the pied things of the world A. Definition of pied B. Description of the parts of God creation Hopkin chooses to focus on C. Description of Hopkin’s appreciate for the oddest of God’s creation IV. Conclusion

Pied Beauty
Pied Beauty is a poem that offers praises unto God for his marvelous creation. The imagery within the poem catapults the reader’s attention towards nature’s simplified beauty. Hopkin’s poem “Pied Beauty” exemplifies how the beauty in even the oddest things in the world is worthy to be admired. This paper will discuss the overall summary of “Pied Beauty” as well as focus on the tone and mood Hopkins used throughout this piece, as we review his appreciation of the world’s beauty through his eyes.

The author of Pied Beauty, Gerard Manley Hopkins, an English poet known for his celebration of nature and all God has created, was one of the most influential of Victorian writers. Within the stanzas of this poem, Hopkins projects his perception of God’s mercy and his joy in the smallest things as he refers to the motley beauty of the world. “Pied Beauty” is a rhymed curtal or shorten sonnet that follows no specific form, yet it advocates originality and contrariness. In the beginning of the poem Hopkins dance with the magnificent praises of God as he points out the “dappled” things of the world. He goes on to paint a very vivid picture of God’s creation as he sees it. The beauty of the poem conveys the awesomeness of God’s creation and allows the reader to imagine things such as a "couple-coloured" sky (Kennedy,2013) while reading, even if they have never viewed the sky in this way. Although Hopkins begins describing things that have only two colors the term “dappled” becomes a representation of a mixture of things. This poem reminds the reader that the world and all its inhabitants are varied and beautiful even in its ugliest and oddest form, while giving praises to God for his creations. He points out the uniqueness of nature and all that makes it beautiful, focusing on elusive patterns and appearances. .Pied Beauty” is essentially a list reminding us again and again, in a variety of ways, that the visible universe and human creation is varied and beautiful even in its ugliness and contrast, and all is a hymn of praise to God the Creator. In this list, Hopkins isolates details that reveal his perceptiveness as a poet and that invite the reader to see the world and word anew and more carefully. Thus the strategy of the poem’s first part is that of enumerating unique details conveyed in unusual words, such as “stipple” or “brinded.” Each detail is like the brush stroke of a great painter, and for Hopkins, God is the careful painter mixing and matching, putting all into a whole. Though individual details are striking, unusual, unique, or even initially ugly, the overall effect is one of massive pattern, reiterated by the echo of the word “all” at the end of one stanza and beginning of the next. “Pied Beauty” is essentially a list reminding us again and again, in a variety of ways, that the visible universe and human creation is varied and beautiful even in its ugliness and contrast, and all is a hymn of praise to God the Creator. In this list, Hopkins isolates details that reveal his perceptiveness as a poet and that invite the reader to see the world and word anew and more carefully. Thus the strategy of the poem’s first part is that of enumerating unique details conveyed in unusual words, such as “stipple” or “brinded.” Each detail is like the brush stroke of a great painter, and for Hopkins, God is the careful painter mixing and matching, putting all into a whole. Though individual details are striking, unusual, unique, or even initially ugly, the overall effect is one of massive pattern, reiterated by the echo of the word “all” at the end of one stanza and beginning of the next. “Pied Beauty” is essentially a list reminding us again and again, in a variety of ways, that the visible universe and human creation is varied and beautiful even in its ugliness and contrast, and all is a hymn of praise to God the Creator. In this list, Hopkins isolates details that reveal his perceptiveness as a poet and that invite the reader to see the world and word anew and more carefully. Thus the strategy of the poem’s first part is that of enumerating unique details conveyed in unusual words, such as “stipple” or “brinded.” Each detail is like the brush stroke of a great painter, and for Hopkins, God is the careful painter mixing and matching, putting all into a whole. Though individual details are striking, unusual, unique, or even initially ugly, the overall effect is one of massive pattern, reiterated by the echo of the word “all” at the end of one stanza and beginning of the next.

The tone and mood Hopkins uses throughout Pied Beauty is very interesting to say the least and his perspective of the dappled things of the world are simply amazing. The purpose of this poem was to glorify God and Hopkins does this by using peculiar references to the wings of birds, trouts, and cows. Hopkins mood could be consider one of excitement and pure amazement. Considering the Victorian age, the theological notion Hopkins’ mood and tone displays, can be viewed as one that takes a tone of protest. This tone of protest as well as Hopkins mood is very consistent through this poetic piece.
Digging a little deeper into what Hopkins considered the “Pied Beauty” of God’s creation, directs focus to the specifics of the term pied as it relates to the beauty of the world through the Victorian poet’s eyes. Pied is an adjective which means having two or more different colors. It is not surprising that Hopkins chose this term as part of his title. He persistently describes how “Pied Beauty” ties to the dappled things. He uses these things as a description of what he perceives as beautiful in his mention of elements created to encompass multiple colors. For instance, the rose moles being like the spots on a trout is a prime example (Kennedy, 2013). In addition to the trout, Hopkins revels his focus on the sky using a simile comparing the sky and a brinded cow. This was a creative simile to make mention of because although the sky comprise a beauty worth admiring, just as the colors of a brinded cow, the sky can lose its interest over time. Hopkins goes as far as positioning his attention towards the plots of a farmer’s land, viewing it as a patchwork quilt, making reference to the movement the farmer takes while plowing the field. These elements of nature are truly some of the oddest aspects of the creation of God. It is very obvious that Hopkins is taking time to appreciate the oddest things that are usually taken for granted. In Hopkins bold admirations he goes as far to take note of “fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls” (Kennedy, 2013 ). He points out that many things are “fickle and freckled” (Kennedy,2013), posing what seems to be more of a rhetorical question, asking addressing who knows how these things come to made of such beauty.
In conclusion, “Pied Beauty” is a unique poetry piece that elaborates on what Hopkins viewed as things that were “dappled” in the world. In a state of approbation Hopkins sets a very consistent tone as he invites his audience into the world of dappled things. After reading this poem the beauty of God’s creation is intensified as the reader gauges their attention to the odd things that are often over looked. There is indeed beauty all around us that is worthy of our praise unto God.

References
Gerard Manley Hopkins | biography - British poet. (n.d.). Retrieved May 5, 2015, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/271533/Gerard-Manley-Hopkins
Kennedy, X., & Gioia, D. (2013). Imagery. In Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing (7th ed., p. 565).