The Influence of Gerrard Manley Hopkins on the Poets of the 1930's

Abstract

<p>Many modern poets have acknowledged the influence of Gerard Manley Hopkins upon their work. This thesis examines the poetry of four such poets, the "Auden group" of the 1930's-- W.H. Auden, Cecil Day Lewis, Stephen Spender and Louis MacNeice-- to determine the character and extent of this influence. This study illustrates the ways in which Hopkins' example taught the Auden group how to use the raw materials of poetic tradition to create dynamic, vital verse that explores the full potential of the English language. All four poets borrowed Hopkins' technical innovations, as well as some of his images, yet they did not simply imitate Hopkins. More than just superimposing Hopkinsian techniques onto modern themes, they assimilated what they gained from Hopkins into their own styles, different from Hopkins and each other; the most important lesson that they learned from Hopkins was that the quality to be prized above all was individuality. Through an analysis of the work of these four representative poets, it may be seen that Hopkins has made a considerable impact on the direction in which modern poetry has developed.</p>