Spring and Fall : Quotations
Spring and Fall is a notable literary work by Gerard Manley Hopkins. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Spring and Fall.
Quotations
“Margaret, are you grieving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?”
Explanation: The poet asks Margaret why she is sad about the falling leaves in Goldengrove (a place). He notices her grief and wants to understand it. This shows the child’s deep sadness over nature’s change.
“It is the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.”
Explanation: The poet tells Margaret that the real reason for her sorrow is not just the leaves falling, but the sadness of human life and death. She is unknowingly grieving for herself and all humans who must one day die.
“Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:”
Explanation: The poet explains that Margaret cannot yet express her feelings clearly. Her heart understands a deep sadness, but her mind and words cannot explain it. This shows the early and confusing experience of grief in childhood.
“Ah! as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder”
Explanation: The poet says that as Margaret grows up, her feelings will become less innocent and more aware of life’s harsh truths. Over time, sorrow becomes harder but more understood.