The Windhover : Literary devices

Literary devices

Figures of Speech

• Alliteration: Hopkins uses the repetition of consonant sounds to make the poem musical and lively. For example, in “dapple-dawn-drawn,” the repeated ‘d’ sound adds rhythm and energy.
• Metaphor: The falcon is a metaphor for Christ. Its flight shows divine power and beauty. The bird is not just a bird but a symbol of spiritual strength.
• Personification: Hopkins gives human qualities to nature. For example, he calls the falcon “kingdom of daylight’s dauphin,” as if the bird is a royal prince ruling the sky.
• Imagery: Hopkins uses vivid images to help us see, hear, and feel the falcon’s flight. Words like “plunge, plume, and pride” create a clear picture of movement and beauty.
• Symbols:
• The Falcon (Windhover): Symbolizes Christ, divine power, and spiritual beauty. The bird’s flight shows control, strength, and God’s glory in nature.
• The Morning Light: Represents new beginnings, hope, and spiritual awakening. The early morning, when the falcon flies, symbolizes purity and fresh energy.
• The Plume (Feathers): Symbolizes pride and majesty. The falcon’s feathers represent its royal status and the beauty of God’s creation.
• The Air / Sky: Represents freedom and the spiritual realm. The falcon’s mastery of the air shows control over life’s challenges and the connection between earth and heaven.
• The “Brute Beauty”: Symbolizes the wild but perfect power in nature and in faith. It shows how strength and rawness can still be beautiful and full of grace.

Main Message: 

• “Even small things can show divine glory.”
• “Nature is a mirror of God’s power.”