✍ Dr. Dipak Giri is an Indian writer, editor and critic who lives in Cooch Behar, a district town within the jurisdiction of state West Bengal, India.

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Attempt a critical appreciation of G. M. Hopkins' poem Felix Randal


Attempt a critical appreciation of G. M. Hopkins' poem Felix Randal


Felix Randal is a sonnet about a farrier, a blacksmith from Hopkins' parish. It reflects on the farrier Felix Randal's dying, his last illness, the priest's compassion for him and on his former strength.

In the first quatrain Hopkins sketches the course of the farrier's illness as the large man faded away until his thoughts became confused and four different disorders combined to kill him.
In the second quatrain the poet examines Felix's spiritual state. Initially, the farrier cursed the loss of his former strength, but he became more patient as his religious faith increased. He received "the sweet reprieve and ransom" in the sacrament of the Holy Commission, which carries with it the promise of forgiveness and new life. Hopkins later anointed him with holy oil. The poet implores God to forgive any sin the farrier must have committed.

In the sestet the poet states that looking after the sick can endear a priest in two ways - he may receive affectionate gratitude from those he tends; and, secondly, knowing that he is doing something worthwhile might make him less discontented with himself. The comfort that the priest gave is perhaps the knowledge of God's love, and his touch is perhaps the giving of a blessing. Poor Felix, who is addressed as a child, is childlike in his helplessness, and also a child of God in the eyes of the priest.

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