Inversnaid - Gerald Manley Hopkins
1
, Inversnaid - Gerald Manley Hopkins
R Line Analysis
Stanza 1
Describes the final fall of the stream, or burn, in its tumultuous rush into the lake;
1 This darksome burn, horseback brown, A description of a fast-flowing dark stream
(burn)
“darksome”: dark and gloomy -‘darksome’ is a
word the poet invented to describe the colour of the
stream (burn).
“burn”: a stream - The speaker describes a
stream ("burn") that appears dark in colour and
resembles a horseback in its flow.”. “Burn” means
brook in Scottish dialect. It is dark and perhaps
gloomy, the colour of a “horseback brown”.
“horseback”: creates an image of the stream
flowing like a fast horse running down.
Metaphor : The comparison of the stream's
appearance to the colour of a horse's back.
b-alliteration: Emphasises the dark colour of the
river. These lines are very alliterative, with the
repetition of the “b” consonant sound in “burn,”
“horseback” and “brown”.
2 His rollrock highroad roaring down, “highroad”: main road .
“rollrock”: The word “rollrock” was invented by
Hopkins in order to describe the path of the burn and
how rocks might roll down it.It is a combination of the
words rock and roll to emphasize the speed of the
stream; it is flowing so fast that some rocks are
dislodged and rolling down.
“his “ : The stream's movement is compared to a
rolling rock on a high road, creating a loud roaring
sound.
Personification: The stream is personified by
referring to it as "His" and attributing human-like
qualities to it. The speaker refers to it as male and
describes “His rollrock highroad roaring down”.
By describing the stream as having a "rollrock
highroad," it is portrayed as a powerful force moving
swiftly down a road.
Metaphor: The phrase "rollrock highroad"
metaphorically compares the movement of the
stream to a rolling rock on a high road. This
metaphor highlights the strength and intensity of the
stream's flow.
Onomatopoeia: The word "roaring" imitates the
sound of the stream's movement. It adds a sensory
element to the line, allowing the reader to imagine
the loud and forceful noise created by the stream.
r – alliteration: One hears the sound of the rocks
rolling when the force of the water hits them.
2
1
, Inversnaid - Gerald Manley Hopkins
R Line Analysis
Stanza 1
Describes the final fall of the stream, or burn, in its tumultuous rush into the lake;
1 This darksome burn, horseback brown, A description of a fast-flowing dark stream
(burn)
“darksome”: dark and gloomy -‘darksome’ is a
word the poet invented to describe the colour of the
stream (burn).
“burn”: a stream - The speaker describes a
stream ("burn") that appears dark in colour and
resembles a horseback in its flow.”. “Burn” means
brook in Scottish dialect. It is dark and perhaps
gloomy, the colour of a “horseback brown”.
“horseback”: creates an image of the stream
flowing like a fast horse running down.
Metaphor : The comparison of the stream's
appearance to the colour of a horse's back.
b-alliteration: Emphasises the dark colour of the
river. These lines are very alliterative, with the
repetition of the “b” consonant sound in “burn,”
“horseback” and “brown”.
2 His rollrock highroad roaring down, “highroad”: main road .
“rollrock”: The word “rollrock” was invented by
Hopkins in order to describe the path of the burn and
how rocks might roll down it.It is a combination of the
words rock and roll to emphasize the speed of the
stream; it is flowing so fast that some rocks are
dislodged and rolling down.
“his “ : The stream's movement is compared to a
rolling rock on a high road, creating a loud roaring
sound.
Personification: The stream is personified by
referring to it as "His" and attributing human-like
qualities to it. The speaker refers to it as male and
describes “His rollrock highroad roaring down”.
By describing the stream as having a "rollrock
highroad," it is portrayed as a powerful force moving
swiftly down a road.
Metaphor: The phrase "rollrock highroad"
metaphorically compares the movement of the
stream to a rolling rock on a high road. This
metaphor highlights the strength and intensity of the
stream's flow.
Onomatopoeia: The word "roaring" imitates the
sound of the stream's movement. It adds a sensory
element to the line, allowing the reader to imagine
the loud and forceful noise created by the stream.
r – alliteration: One hears the sound of the rocks
rolling when the force of the water hits them.
2
