Use the chart below to compare the poem “Pied Beauty” by Gerard Manley Hopkins to “Sonnet 43” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning as a prewriting activity in order to answer the following essay question. Literary Element “Pied Beauty” “Sonnet 43” Word Choice – Were the poem’s words formal or informal? One was more conversational than the other. Mood – How did the word choices affect the mood of each poem? Tone – What did you learn about the attitude of the author through the word choices? What elements make one of the poems sound more like normal speech? Which one and why? Explain. Use the chart you completed above to help you write your response.
In comparing "Pied Beauty" by Gerard Manley Hopkins and "Sonnet 43" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, it is evident that the two poems differ in their word choice, mood, and tone.
In terms of word choice, "Sonnet 43" utilizes more formal language, with phrases such as "I love thee freely" and "I love thee with the breath." On the other hand, "Pied Beauty" employs more informal and conversational language, as seen in lines like "Glory be to God for dappled things." This difference in word choice contributes to the overall mood of each poem.
The word choices in "Sonnet 43" create a sense of deep and passionate love, while the informal language in "Pied Beauty" gives off a more joyful and celebratory mood. The tone of each poem reflects the attitudes of the authors as well. In "Sonnet 43," Barrett Browning expresses a profound and devoted love for her partner, whereas Hopkins celebrates the beauty and diversity of nature in "Pied Beauty."
In terms of sounding more like normal speech, "Pied Beauty" comes across as more conversational due to its informal language and shorter lines. The use of phrases like "Glory be to God" and "dappled things" adds a sense of familiarity and simplicity to the poem, making it sound more like something one might say in everyday conversation. In contrast, "Sonnet 43" with its formal language and structured rhyme scheme sounds more poetic and less like normal speech.
Overall, the word choice, mood, and tone in "Pied Beauty" and "Sonnet 43" highlight the different themes and attitudes of the authors. While both poems express deep emotions, they do so in distinct ways that reflect the unique styles and perspectives of Hopkins and Barrett Browning.