Hopkins: Spring

Question 1

6 quotes

Answer 1

“Nothing is so beautiful as spring”
“When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush”
“Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens… rinse…wring”
“What is all this juice and all this joy?”
“A strain of the earths sweet being in the beginnin/ in Eden garden”
“Mayday in girl and boy… O maids child”

Question 2

Analysis of “nothing is so beautiful as spring”

Answer 2

Hyperbole
Captures Hopkins ecstasy at the beauty and energy of spring

Question 3

Analysis of “when weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush”

Answer 3

Alliteration + assonance: add to musical quality
Hyperbolic verb shoot: energy and vibrancy, the beauty of spring is the closest thing to heaven on earth

Question 4

Analysis of “thrush’s eggs look little low heavens… rinse.. wring”

Answer 4

Metaphor: low heavens suggest divine beauty that can be found in nature.
Egg symbolises new life, purity and potential.
Verbs rinse and wring demonstrates natures cleansing and detoxing qualities

Question 5

Analysis of” what is all this juice and all this joy?”

Answer 5

Example of sprung rhythm
Emotional power and intensity

Question 6

Analysis of “a strain of the earths sweet being in the beginning/ in Eden garden”

Answer 6

The beauty of spring is justa strain or echo of heavenly perfection before the garden was marred by mans sin

Question 7

Analysis of “mayday in girl and boy… O maids child’s”

Answer 7

Biblical reference: Christ is maids child, this reflects his deep religious devotion
Mayday: reference to Mary, as may is month associated with fertility and renewal.

Question 8

Themes:

Answer 8

Innocence purity
Beauty of nature