Comparing the Two Poets' Representations of and Attitudes to Nature in The Way Through the Woods and Binsey Poplars

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Comparing the Two Poets' Representations of and Attitudes to Nature in The Way Through the Woods and Binsey Poplars

These two poems, by Gerald Manley Hopkins and Rudyard Kipling

respectively, are both concerned with how humans and how their

presence among nature can have a negative effect. Both of these poems

seem to agree that humans do have an influence on the natural

evolution of nature; mainly due to the way humans interfere with

nature. However, both of these poems illustrate different ways in the

outcome of this interference.

Binsey Poplars, focuses on the destruction of nature; specifically the

felling trees. In this poem the author (Gerald Manley Hopkins)

displays many themes, directly relating to the humans devastation of

the trees in Binsey.

But the most prominent theme exhibited throughout this poem is

mankind's destructive attitude towards nature. Hopkins portrays

mankind's destruction of nature as savage, senseless, and inhuman. He

shows humans with disregard towards nature, and its possible that

Hopkins believes that the felling of the aspens is unnecessary, even a

breach of the trees rights. This atmosphere is built up mostly in the

second stanza, using phonological effects. The use of 'Hack' and

'rack', as assonance in line 11, induces a severe, enraged mood. The

harsh sounds help build up this tone. These examples are also forms of

internal rhyme. Which again emphasises the destruction. It could be

argued that these words are indeed onomatopoeic, representing the

sound of the actual trees being hewed to the ground, with an axe.

Another instance of this destructive attitude is shown again, later in

the second s...

... middle of paper ...

...losed. This ambiguity might be for a

reason. Maybe Kipling is undecided on whether humans infringing or

changing nature is good, or acceptable. This is in complete contrast

with Binsey Poplars where Hopkins states his views precisely, leaving

no room for different interpretations.

Although, it can be positively said that the minimal human presence

has changed the way the wood has developed in The Way through the

Woods. The wood is definitely more unconstrained and undisturbed,

especially in comparison with the aspens of Binsey Poplars.

These two poems both show similar attitudes towards nature, and the

way in which human's have an effect on nature. However, it can be said

with great certainty that Binsey Poplars has a more negative attitude

towards human intervention on nature than in The Way Through the

Woods.

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