In the poem "Pied Beauty" by Gerard Manley Hopkins, in what ways does the poet makes his views on the beauty of the world around him vivid and unusual?

    Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem "Pied Beauty" is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of nature. The poem is a sonnet, which is a type of poem that has 14 lines and a specific rhyme scheme. Hopkins' views on the beauty of the world around him are made vivid and unusual through his use of language, imagery, and structure. In this article, we will explore the ways in which Hopkins makes his views on the beauty of the world around him vivid and unusual in "Pied Beauty".

    One of the most striking features of "Pied Beauty" is its use of language. Hopkins uses a variety of literary devices, such as alliteration, internal rhyme, and enjambment, to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. This use of language creates a sense of harmony and order, which is a reflection of the order and harmony of the natural world. For example, the opening lines of the poem are:

Glory be to God for dappled things –
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced – fold, fallow, and plough;
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.

    The use of alliteration, internal rhyme, and enjambment in these lines creates a sense of fluidity and movement, which is a reflection of the movement and fluidity of the natural world. The use of language in "Pied Beauty" is therefore a key element in making Hopkins' views on the beauty of the world around him vivid and unusual.

    Another way in which Hopkins makes his views on the beauty of the world around him vivid and unusual is through his use of imagery. The imagery in "Pied Beauty" is particularly striking in its use of color. The speaker notes that the skies are "dappled" with clouds, and that the landscape is "counter, original, spare, strange." These descriptions capture the richness and diversity of the natural world, emphasizing the idea that nature is not uniform or monotonous, but is instead full of variety and complexity. The use of color in the poem also emphasizes the idea of contrast and paradox, which is a recurring theme in Hopkins' work. For example, the speaker notes that nature is both "swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim." These contrasts and paradoxes create a sense of tension and complexity, which is a reflection of the complexity and richness of the natural world.

    Hopkins also makes his views on the beauty of the world around him vivid and unusual through his use of structure. The poem is a sonnet, which has a specific rhyme scheme and structure. However, Hopkins plays with the traditional structure of the sonnet, using enjambment and internal rhyme to create a sense of fluidity and movement. This use of structure creates a sense of harmony and order, which is a reflection of the order and harmony of the natural world. The use of structure in "Pied Beauty" is therefore another key element in making Hopkins' views on the beauty of the world around him vivid and unusual.

    Another way in which Hopkins makes his views on the beauty of the world around him vivid and unusual is through his emphasis on the ordinary and the everyday. The speaker notes that even things that are typically considered ugly or undesirable, such as "all trades, their gear and tackle and trim," can be beautiful in their own way. This emphasis on the beauty of the ordinary and the everyday is another way in which the poem celebrates the richness and diversity of the natural world. By emphasizing the beauty of the ordinary and the everyday, Hopkins is able to make his views on the beauty of the world around him vivid and unusual, and to celebrate the beauty and complexity of the natural world in a unique and unexpected way.

    Finally, Hopkins makes his views on the beauty of the world around him vivid and unusual through his recognition of God's role in creating and sustaining this beauty. The speaker notes that everything in nature is unique and different, and that this diversity is a reflection of the beauty and creativity of God. By celebrating the beauty of nature, the poem is also celebrating the beauty and creativity of God. The recognition of God's role in creating and sustaining the beauty of the natural world is a key element in making Hopkins' views on the beauty of the world around him vivid and unusual, as it adds a layer of spirituality and meaning to the poem.

    In conclusion, Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem "Pied Beauty" is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of nature, and the poet makes his views on the beauty of the world around him vivid and unusual through his use of language, imagery, structure, emphasis on the ordinary and the everyday, and recognition of God's role in creating and sustaining this beauty. Through these techniques, Hopkins is able to capture the richness and complexity of the natural world, and to celebrate its beauty and diversity in a unique and unexpected way. "Pied Beauty" remains a celebrated example of nature poetry and religious poetry, and continues to inspire readers with its vivid and unusual portrayal of the beauty of the world around us.