Felix Randal : Literary devices

Literary devices

Figures of Speech

• Alliteration: Hopkins repeats consonant sounds to create rhythm and musical flow. Example: “hardy-handsome,” “big-boned” — the repeated ‘h’ and ‘b’ sounds make the line strong and energetic. It matches the physical strength of Felix.

• Imagery: Hopkins uses vivid words to help us see and feel Felix’s condition. Example: “Pining, pining…” — This creates a sad image of slow suffering. We can feel Felix’s pain and decline.
• Symbols
• Felix Randal (The Blacksmith): Symbolizes Human strength, labor, and mortality. Felix represents the common working man — strong, skilled, and proud. But his illness and death symbolize the weakness of the human body and the reality of mortality.
• The Forge / Blacksmith’s Tools (Implied): Symbolizes hard work, physical strength, and purpose. Though not directly described, his work as a farrier (horse-shoer) brings the image of iron tools and fire. These suggest strength and the dignity of manual labor.
• Illness and Suffering: Symbolize human weakness and the path to spiritual growth. Felix’s slow decline shows how suffering is part of life. It also leads to inner change, making him spiritually ready before death.
• The Priest (The Speaker): Symbolizes Spiritual guidance and comfort. The poet, as a priest, stands for God’s mercy and human compassion. He represents the link between earthly pain and heavenly peace.
• Death: Symbolizes the End of the physical and the start of the spiritual. Felix’s death is not just an end — it leads to spiritual peace. It shows the transition from body to soul, from suffering to rest.

Main Message: 

• “Even the strongest fall — no one escapes pain and death.”
• “True strength lies not in the body, but in the soul.”