NABTEB LITERATURE
(1)
Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel is a well-known play that uses symbolism and metaphor to explore the clash between tradition and modernity in a rural Nigerian village called Ilujinle. The title of the play is rich in meaning and reflects the central conflict, characters, and themes. The two main images in the title “the Lion” and “the Jewel”, are not just literal; they are used metaphorically to represent the key characters and ideas in the play.
The “Lion” in the title refers to Baroka, the aged but crafty village chief. A lion often symbolizes power, wisdom, courage, and leadership. These qualities are all present in Baroka’s character. Though he is old, he is still respected and feared by the villagers. He is not only physically strong but also mentally sharp. Baroka is skilled at using strategy and charm to get what he wants. For example, he pretends to be weak and defeated just to trick Sidi into letting her guard down. This shows how clever and calculating he is. Therefore, the “Lion” represents not just Baroka as a person, but also the strength of traditional values and the power of experience and wisdom.
On the other hand, the “Jewel” in the title symbolizes Sidi, the young and beautiful village girl. In literature, a jewel is something precious, admired, and often desired. Sidi’s beauty is praised by everyone, especially after her photographs are published in a magazine. Her physical appearance becomes her pride, and she uses it to gain attention and admiration. She is treated like a prize, something to be possessed. Both Baroka and Lakunle want her, but for different reasons. Lakunle, the young schoolteacher, wants to marry her without paying bride price, claiming that it is an outdated custom. He represents modern ideas and foreign influence. However, he lacks understanding of the local culture and appears foolish in his approach.
Sidi, as the “Jewel,” also symbolizes the pride of the village and the cultural beauty that modernity tries to change. Though she seems powerful, she is still caught between two men who both try to control her in their own ways. In the end, it is Baroka, the lion, who wins the jewel. This victory suggests that tradition, represented by Baroka, is still strong and able to outsmart modern ideas that are not fully grounded in the culture.
In conclusion, the title The Lion and the Jewel is a carefully chosen metaphor that reflects the main conflict in the play. The lion (Baroka) stands for traditional strength and cleverness, while the jewel (Sidi) represents beauty, pride, and the object of desire. Together, they show the power struggle between old and new ways of life, and how tradition continues to survive in a changing world.
NABTEB LITERATURE
(2)
Sadiku, the senior wife of Baroka, plays a very important role in Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel. Though she may seem like a minor character at first, her actions help to move the story forward and affect what happens to the main characters, especially Baroka and Sidi. Through her words, mistakes, and efforts to please Baroka, Sadiku drives key events in the plot and helps shape the direction of the story.
One of Sadiku’s main duties as the head wife is to act as a messenger between Baroka and the women he wants to marry. This becomes very important in the play when Baroka sends her to deliver a marriage proposal to Sidi. Sadiku carries this message with excitement and pride, expecting that Sidi will gladly accept the offer. However, this moment leads to a major turning point in the play because Sidi refuses the proposal. She mocks Baroka, calling him too old and accusing him of wanting her only as a prize. This rejection sets up the competition between Baroka and Lakunle, and it also makes Baroka more determined to win Sidi, which keeps the conflict going.
Later, Sadiku unknowingly helps Baroka in his plan to trick Sidi. Baroka lies to Sadiku by telling her that he has lost his manhood, knowing that she will not be able to keep the secret. As expected, Sadiku quickly tells Sidi the false news, thinking it is true. She even dances with joy, feeling that Baroka’s power as a man is gone. Her gossip reaches Sidi, who becomes curious and proud, believing she now has full power over the old chief. This leads to another major turning point, as Sidi decides to go to Baroka’s house and shame him. But Baroka uses that visit to trap her with sweet words and clever tricks, eventually convincing her to marry him. All of this happens because of Sadiku’s actions.
Sadiku also adds humour and energy to the play. Her overconfidence, gossip, and simple-mindedness create funny scenes that make the story more enjoyable, while still pushing the plot forward. She is a traditional woman who is loyal to Baroka, and her faith in him helps to show how respected and clever he really is.
Sadiku is not just a side character. Her actions, such as carrying the proposal, spreading Baroka’s false secret, and influencing Sidi, help to move the story from one important scene to another. Without her, many of the main events in The Lion and the Jewel would not happen. Through her, Soyinka shows how even people who seem less powerful can play big roles in shaping the events around them.
NABTEB LITERATURE
(3)
John K. Kargbo’s Let Me Die Alone is a powerful historical play that blends fact with fiction to tell the story of Madam Yoko, the brave and intelligent female leader of the Mende people in Sierra Leone. One of the most important tools Kargbo uses in building the plot is myth. Through the use of traditional myths, beliefs, and spiritual practices, the playwright adds depth to the story, highlights African cultural values, and moves the plot forward in a way that connects the past with the present.
In African storytelling, myth is not just about fantasy; it is often used to explain events, give moral lessons, or show the connection between the living and the spiritual world. In “Let Me Die Alone”, myths play a big role in shaping characters’ actions and decisions. For example, the play opens with a ritualistic and spiritual setting, where the villagers show belief in spirits and the supernatural. This background helps to create a sense of mystery and seriousness that continues throughout the play.
One of the main myths used in the play is the belief in ancestral spirits. Madam Yoko and other characters often seek the guidance or approval of ancestors, believing that the spirits of the dead continue to watch over the living. This belief drives many decisions in the play. For instance, when leaders are chosen or important decisions are made, sacrifices and consultations with spiritual leaders are involved. This creates a strong link between tradition and leadership, and it explains why some characters believe certain actions are cursed or blessed.
The myth of destiny also plays a big role in Madam Yoko’s story. She believes that she is chosen by the gods or by fate to be a leader, and this gives her the confidence to rule in a male-dominated society. Even when people doubt or fight against her, she trusts that her path is guided by something greater than herself. This belief in destiny helps to explain her courage and pride, and it keeps her strong even when betrayal and sorrow surround her.
Also, the fear of curses and taboos is another myth that affects the behavior of characters. Some people in the play are afraid to go against tradition because they fear they will be cursed or punished by the gods. This fear helps to control the people and maintain order in the society. But it also causes conflict when people, like Madam Yoko, begin to question or challenge these beliefs.
John Kargbo’s use of myths in “Let Me Die Alone” is more than just decoration, it is a key part of the plot. Myths are used to explain events, show the spiritual life of the people, and guide the characters’ thoughts and actions. Through myth, Kargbo brings African culture to life, and he uses it to develop the story in a way that is both meaningful and dramatic.
*NABTEB LITERATURE*
(4)
In John Kargbo’s Let Me Die Alone, Yoko stands out as a strong, courageous, and ambitious woman who rises to great power in a male-dominated society. However, her life ends in pain and disappointment. This tragic end, combined with her noble qualities and the struggles she faces, makes her a tragic heroine. In classical literature, a tragic hero or heroine is usually a person of high status with a fatal flaw that leads to their downfall. Yoko fits this description in many ways.
First, Yoko is a noble and respected leader. She begins as the wife of Gbanya, the chief of Mendeland, and after his death, she becomes the new ruler. Her rise to power is not easy, especially because she is a woman in a society that believes only men should lead. Despite these challenges, Yoko proves herself capable. She wins wars, brings unity, and earns respect both from her people and the British colonial officers. This shows that she is not only brave and intelligent but also determined to succeed.
However, like most tragic figures, Yoko has a tragic flaw. Her main flaw is her desire for power and acceptance, especially from the colonial masters. She sacrifices so much, including her ability to bear children, in order to gain political power. While her decision may be seen as a sign of strength and commitment to leadership, it also isolates her emotionally. She loses touch with the traditions and expectations of her people, who value motherhood and family. This flaw makes her unpopular with some members of her community and leads to betrayal.
Another element of Yoko’s tragedy is betrayal and loneliness. She is surrounded by people who pretend to be loyal but plot against her behind her back. Even trusted allies, like Musa and Ndapi, are involved in actions that weaken her rule. Her downfall is not only caused by her own choices but also by the wickedness of others who take advantage of her trust. This betrayal deepens the pain of her fall and shows how lonely leadership can be.
Yoko’s life ends in sorrow and death, which completes her role as a tragic heroine. After all she has done for her people, she feels unloved, rejected, and misunderstood. Her final words and actions show a woman who gave everything but received little in return. Her decision to take her own life is heartbreaking, but it also shows her strength, she chooses death with dignity rather than live with shame or defeat.
Yoko is a classic tragic heroine. She is noble, ambitious, and powerful, but her desire for power and approval, along with betrayal by others, leads to her fall. Her story teaches us that even the strongest people have weaknesses, and leadership often comes with great pain. Through Yoko, Kargbo shows the tragedy of a woman who dared to lead, loved her people, and died alone.
NABTEB LITERATURE
(6)
In Fences, August Wilson skillfully shows the passage of time and the growth of characters using a variety of dramatic techniques. Rather than telling the audience directly how much time has passed, Wilson uses setting, character development, dialogue, symbolism, and the structure of the play itself to reflect the slow but powerful movement of time. Through these elements, the audience gains a deep understanding of how life, relationships, and people naturally change over the years.
One of the most effective ways Wilson shows the passing of time is through changes in setting and seasons. The entire play takes place in the Maxson family’s yard, but each scene is set during a different time of year which are the summer, autumn, and winter. These seasonal changes reflect the rhythm of real life, where things don’t change all at once but slowly, over time. As the seasons shift, the characters also grow older and their relationships become more complex. The natural flow of time is mirrored in the physical environment, making the audience feel the passing of years.
Character development also plays a major role in showing how time affects people. For instance, Cory begins the play as a hopeful teenager with dreams of playing football. Over time, he experiences conflict with his father, Troy, which forces him to grow emotionally. By the final scene, Cory has returned home as a mature young man serving in the U.S. Marines. This change in his life clearly reflects the passage of time and his journey toward independence. Troy himself also changes. At the start, he is energetic, confident, and outspoken. But as time passes, we see him grow older and weaker, burdened by the results of his own choices, especially his betrayal of Rose and his broken relationship with Cory. Rose also transforms from a supportive wife to a woman who finds inner strength and independence after Troy’s affair. These changes are not sudden, but they unfold gradually, just as in real life.
Wilson’s use of dialogue and speech patterns further reflects the effect of time. In earlier scenes, conversations are filled with Troy’s bold stories and arguments. As the play progresses, the tone of conversations becomes heavier and more emotional. For example, Cory’s tone shifts from respectful and obedient to angry and confrontational, before finally becoming calm and understanding by the end of the play. These shifts in speech show the emotional journey of the characters and help the audience feel the weight of years passing.
The fence itself, which Troy builds throughout the play, becomes a powerful symbol of time and change. It takes years to complete and serves as a physical reminder of both personal and family struggles. The fence is more than just wood and nails, it represents protection, separation, and the slow building of relationships and barriers. By the time the fence is finally finished, the characters have also reached new emotional stages in their lives.
The structure of the play further supports this feeling of time passing. The final scene of the play takes place seven years after Troy’s death. This sudden leap forward allows the audience to see how much the characters have changed. Raynell is no longer a baby but a young girl; Cory has become a soldier; Rose has become the strong center of the family; and even Gabriel returns to mark the closing of a chapter. This final scene provides a sense of reflection and closure, highlighting the long-term impact of past events.
August Wilson successfully uses natural elements, emotional growth, symbolic objects, and time jumps to show how time passes and characters evolve in Fences. His subtle, realistic storytelling allows the audience to feel the slow but powerful effects of time on family, love, regret, and forgiveness. Through these elements, Wilson gives us a moving and truthful picture of how people change as life goes on.
NABTEB LITERATURE
(7)
In John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger, the playwright skillfully uses the technique of flashback to deepen the emotional intensity of the story and to explain the present struggles of the characters. Although the play mostly takes place in real time within a single room, Osborne weaves in moments where the past is recalled by the characters. These flashbacks are not always acted out on stage, but they are strongly felt through dialogue and emotional expression. Through this method, the audience is able to understand why the characters behave the way they do and how past events continue to shape their lives.
Flashback in this play appears mostly through conversations and memories. The characters, especially Jimmy Porter, often talk about their past experiences, regrets, and disappointments. Jimmy, the main character, uses his sharp tongue to express his bitterness about life, and often refers to events that happened before the time of the play. For example, he speaks of his father’s slow and painful death during the war. This flashback is important because it helps the audience understand why Jimmy is so angry, cynical, and emotionally cold. He saw suffering at a young age, and it shaped his harsh view of the world.
Another important flashback comes from Alison, Jimmy’s wife. In Act Two, she opens up to Helena and reflects on her early days with Jimmy. She remembers how passionate and full of life he was, and how they used to play a silly game of pretending to be a bear and a squirrel. This memory contrasts with their present-day bitterness and fights. The flashback shows that there was once love between them, but something went wrong. It also gives the audience a reason to feel sympathy for both characters, as it proves they are not just fighting for no reason, but have a deep emotional history.
These flashbacks are not simply there for background; they help to drive the plot forward. For instance, after Alison loses her baby, the memory of the squirrel and bear game is brought back. When she and Jimmy repeat this memory near the end of the play, it becomes a turning point. It shows that their shared past may still offer hope for forgiveness or understanding. Thus, the flashback becomes more than just a memory, it becomes a possible path toward healing.
Osborne also uses flashback as a way to explore social and emotional themes. Jimmy often compares his past life to the present, especially when talking about the decline of British society, class division, and lost dreams. His personal memories reflect the broader disappointment felt by many young people in 1950s Britain. In this way, flashbacks are used not only to develop individual characters but to highlight national issues as well.
John Osborne uses flashback effectively in Look Back in Anger to give depth to his characters and make the plot more meaningful. These flashbacks help the audience understand the reasons behind the anger, sadness, and choices of each character. They are not only memories, they are the key to understanding the pain of the present and the possibility of change in the future.
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NABTEB LITERATURE
(11)
John Donne’s “The Good Morrow” is one of the most celebrated metaphysical love poems, and at its heart lies the powerful theme of the immortality of true love. The poem explores how genuine love goes beyond physical attraction or temporary passion; it transforms lovers into something eternal and unchanging. Donne uses spiritual language, vivid imagery, and logical arguments to show that when two souls truly love each other, their love cannot be destroyed by time, distance, or even death.
At the beginning of the poem, the speaker reflects on his life before he met his lover. He says that those earlier experiences were nothing but childish pleasures and meaningless dreams. This contrast between the past and present highlights how his love has grown from something shallow to something deep and lasting. He uses the line, “But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?” to suggest that anything before this true love was immature. From this moment of awakening, or “good morrow,” the speaker and his lover enter a new world of emotional and spiritual maturity, where their love is sincere and powerful.
Donne emphasizes the eternal nature of true love through the use of metaphysical conceits, that is, complex comparisons that go beyond ordinary poetry. One powerful image he uses is the comparison of their love to two hemispheres of the world. He says, “Let us possess one world; each hath one, and is one.” This suggests that the lovers are each other’s whole world, and that their union is complete and balanced. Unlike the physical world, which changes and decays, their emotional world remains steady and perfect. This unity reflects the idea that their love will last forever because it is not based on physical things, which die, but on the soul, which lives on.
Another strong idea Donne presents is that true love does not fear time. In the last stanza, he writes, “If our two loves be one, or thou and I / Love so alike that none can slacken, none can die.” This means that if their love is truly united and equal, then it cannot weaken or die. He argues that since their love is pure, balanced, and free of lies or fear, it is beyond death. This is where the theme of immortality is most clearly expressed. Donne is not just talking about physical death, but the fading of emotions or affection over time — and he believes true love overcomes all of this.
The theme also connects with spiritual love. Donne was influenced by both religious ideas and Renaissance thought, which viewed love as something that could uplift the soul. By turning romantic love into something spiritual, Donne makes it clear that such love is not temporary but everlasting. His use of the word “soul” and the idea of waking into a new life after meeting his lover point to this spiritual rebirth, a kind of love that never dies because it is rooted in the eternal.
John Donne’s “The Good Morrow” celebrates the immortality of true love by presenting it as spiritual, complete, and unchanging. Through powerful imagery, intellectual reasoning, and emotional sincerity, Donne shows that real love is not affected by time, physical change, or even death. His message is clear, which is “when love is true and mutual, it becomes eternal, living beyond the limits of the world and into the realm of the soul”.
NABTEB LITERATURE
(9)
Chibuike Onu’s poem “A Government Driver on His Retirement” is a strong example of a didactic poem, which is a poem written to teach a moral lesson. The poem tells a simple but meaningful story of a man who has worked for the government as a driver for thirty-five years and is now retiring. On the day of his retirement, he decides to celebrate his freedom by drinking alcohol. Sadly, his careless celebration leads to his death. Through this short but emotional narrative, the poet delivers a clear message about the dangers of recklessness, the need for self-control, and the importance of wise choices, especially at life’s turning points.
The main way the poem becomes didactic is through the lesson it teaches about discipline and responsibility. The government driver had spent thirty-five years obeying the law, driving carefully, and avoiding alcohol while on duty. This shows that he was a disciplined and responsible worker. However, the moment he retires, he throws away all the self-control he had practiced. He drinks heavily and drives carelessly which is actions that go against everything he stood for during his years of service. His sudden change in behavior leads to his tragic death. This outcome teaches the reader that one moment of poor judgment can destroy a lifetime of good effort.
The poet also warns against misunderstanding the meaning of freedom. The driver says he is “free now to drink alcohol,” as if retirement gives him the right to behave recklessly. He sees retirement as an opportunity to break the rules rather than as a time to rest and enjoy the fruits of his labor. This wrong idea of freedom becomes his downfall. The poet uses this to teach that true freedom comes with responsibility. Just because one is no longer under strict rules does not mean one should live without self-control. Freedom without discipline can be dangerous.
Furthermore, Onu’s poem teaches about the danger of over-celebration. The driver allows his excitement to cloud his judgment. In real life, this is a common problem, people often make careless decisions in moments of happiness, such as graduation, promotion, or retirement. The poet shows how celebration, when taken too far, can lead to regret or even death. This lesson is important for all readers, young and old.
Another didactic element in the poem is the use of irony. The very thing the driver was celebrating which is his retirement, becomes the cause of his death. This irony strengthens the poem’s message which is “joy must be balanced with caution”. It also helps readers to reflect on how quickly life can change when one fails to act wisely.
The poem “A Government Driver on His Retirement” is didactic because it uses a clear story, strong imagery, and emotional impact to teach important moral lessons. The poem warns against reckless behavior, teaches the value of self-discipline, and reminds us to celebrate wisely. Through the sad fate of the driver, Chibuike Onu encourages readers to think carefully about their choices, especially during moments of change. The message is simple but powerful, which is “one careless action can destroy a lifetime of hard work”.
NABTEB LITERATURE
(8)
In John Osborne’s “Look Back in Anger”, Jimmy Porter is a young man full of bitterness, resentment, and emotional outbursts. His anger is a central theme of the play, shaping his actions, relationships, and worldview. While on the surface it may appear that Jimmy is simply rude or unhappy, a closer look reveals that his anger is rooted in several deep and complex causes. These include his personal disappointments, class frustrations, emotional pain, and a deep sense of helplessness in a changing society.
One of the major sources of Jimmy’s anger is social class division. Jimmy comes from a working-class background, while his wife Alison comes from the upper-middle class. This difference creates constant tension in their marriage. Jimmy often feels that he is not fully accepted by Alison’s family, and he resents the polite and reserved behavior of the upper class. He mocks what he sees as their lack of passion, their emotional coldness, and their habit of ignoring serious social issues. This anger against the upper class represents the frustration of many young British people in the 1950s who felt left out of the post-war progress. Jimmy is angry not just at Alison, but at what she represents, that is, a society that keeps people like him on the outside.
Jimmy also expresses anger about lost opportunities and disappointment in life. He is well-educated and intelligent, yet he finds himself running a sweet stall, a job far below his abilities. This unfulfilled potential makes him feel stuck and useless. He often compares himself to others who have power or respect, and he feels cheated by life. His education gave him the hope of success, but society did not provide the opportunities he expected. This disconnect between ambition and reality fills him with frustration and rage.
Another deep source of Jimmy’s anger is emotional pain and trauma from his past. He talks about watching his father die slowly after being wounded in a war. As a young boy, Jimmy had to witness suffering, and he was powerless to help. This experience left a permanent scar on his emotional life. He also seems to be afraid of becoming emotionally numb like those around him. He hates people who avoid feeling deeply, and this causes him to attack others, especially Alison, when they seem too calm or passive. His anger becomes a way of forcing others to feel something, even if it is pain.
Jimmy also suffers from a fear of being unloved or forgotten. Deep inside, he wants emotional connection, but he does not know how to express love in a healthy way. Instead, he pushes people away. His behavior is often cruel and abusive, yet it comes from a place of insecurity and loneliness. When Alison loses their baby, Jimmy’s response is not kind or caring, but full of more rage. Yet this moment reveals how deeply he feels, he just doesn’t know how to show it properly.
Jimmy Porter’s anger in “Look Back in Anger” is not simple or shallow. It is born from a mix of personal failure, class resentment, emotional trauma, and a desperate need to feel alive in a world that seems cold and unfair. John Osborne uses Jimmy’s character to express the voice of a generation that felt ignored and disappointed by society. Jimmy’s anger is both his weapon and his weakness, it helps him speak the truth, but it also destroys the people around him and leaves him isolated. Through him, Osborne explores the emotional cost of a society that fails to give meaning to its youth.
NABTEB LITERATURE
(11)
John Donne’s “The Good Morrow” is one of the most celebrated metaphysical love poems, and at its heart lies the powerful theme of the immortality of true love. The poem explores how genuine love goes beyond physical attraction or temporary passion; it transforms lovers into something eternal and unchanging. Donne uses spiritual language, vivid imagery, and logical arguments to show that when two souls truly love each other, their love cannot be destroyed by time, distance, or even death.
At the beginning of the poem, the speaker reflects on his life before he met his lover. He says that those earlier experiences were nothing but childish pleasures and meaningless dreams. This contrast between the past and present highlights how his love has grown from something shallow to something deep and lasting. He uses the line, “But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?” to suggest that anything before this true love was immature. From this moment of awakening, or “good morrow,” the speaker and his lover enter a new world of emotional and spiritual maturity, where their love is sincere and powerful.
Donne emphasizes the eternal nature of true love through the use of metaphysical conceits, that is, complex comparisons that go beyond ordinary poetry. One powerful image he uses is the comparison of their love to two hemispheres of the world. He says, “Let us possess one world; each hath one, and is one.” This suggests that the lovers are each other’s whole world, and that their union is complete and balanced. Unlike the physical world, which changes and decays, their emotional world remains steady and perfect. This unity reflects the idea that their love will last forever because it is not based on physical things, which die, but on the soul, which lives on.
Another strong idea Donne presents is that true love does not fear time. In the last stanza, he writes, “If our two loves be one, or thou and I / Love so alike that none can slacken, none can die.” This means that if their love is truly united and equal, then it cannot weaken or die. He argues that since their love is pure, balanced, and free of lies or fear, it is beyond death. This is where the theme of immortality is most clearly expressed. Donne is not just talking about physical death, but the fading of emotions or affection over time — and he believes true love overcomes all of this.
The theme also connects with spiritual love. Donne was influenced by both religious ideas and Renaissance thought, which viewed love as something that could uplift the soul. By turning romantic love into something spiritual, Donne makes it clear that such love is not temporary but everlasting. His use of the word “soul” and the idea of waking into a new life after meeting his lover point to this spiritual rebirth, a kind of love that never dies because it is rooted in the eternal.
John Donne’s “The Good Morrow” celebrates the immortality of true love by presenting it as spiritual, complete, and unchanging. Through powerful imagery, intellectual reasoning, and emotional sincerity, Donne shows that real love is not affected by time, physical change, or even death. His message is clear, which is “when love is true and mutual, it becomes eternal, living beyond the limits of the world and into the realm of the soul”.
NABTEB LITERATURE
(12)
In Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem “Binsey Poplars”, the poet expresses a deep emotional connection to nature and mourns the destruction of a group of trees that once stood near the village of Binsey in Oxfordshire. His attitude toward nature is filled with reverence, sorrow, and passionate protest, as he views nature not only as beautiful but also as sacred and irreplaceable. The poem is a heartfelt reaction to human interference with the natural world, and it shows Hopkins as a poet who finds spiritual meaning in the environment.
From the very first line “My aspens dear, whose airy cages quelled”, Hopkins reveals his personal affection for the poplar trees. He refers to them as “dear”, showing emotional closeness, almost as if the trees were friends or family. This loving tone continues throughout the poem, showing that nature, for Hopkins, is not just scenery but something alive, precious, and full of spiritual significance.
Hopkins’ sorrow is clear when he laments that the trees have been “felled, felled, are all felled.” The repetition of “felled” emphasizes the deep sense of loss and devastation he feels. He does not just report what happened, he grieves it. The act of cutting down the trees is seen as a tragedy, not just for the landscape, but for the emotional and spiritual beauty they provided. This shows that Hopkins sees nature as a delicate creation that should be protected, not carelessly destroyed.
The poet’s attitude also includes a strong warning about the long-term effects of harming nature. He writes, “O if we but knew what we do / When we delve or hew – / Hack and rack the growing green!” Here, Hopkins criticizes people for damaging nature without understanding the full consequences. The strong verbs “delve,” “hew,” “hack,” and “rack” suggest violence and destruction. He implies that humans often treat nature roughly, without realizing they are hurting something valuable. This gives the poem a clear protest tone, making it a form of environmental warning.
Hopkins also emphasizes how nature affects human experience and emotion. The trees, with their light, shade, and movement, gave a kind of quiet joy to those who passed by. He says, “All felled, all are felled; / Of a fresh and following folded rank / Not spared, not one / That dandled a sandalled / Shadow that swam or sank / On meadow and river and wind-wandering weed-winding bank.” These lines show how the presence of the trees added beauty and peace to the natural setting. Their absence now leaves a painful emptiness. Hopkins believes that nature enriches the human soul, and its destruction is a loss not only for the earth but for human happiness as well.
Lastly, Hopkins views nature through a spiritual and religious lens. As a Jesuit priest, he believed that all of creation reflected the glory of God. To him, cutting down the trees was like removing a part of God’s expression in the world. This spiritual connection adds depth to his sadness, as he sees the fallen trees not just as wood, but as a part of divine beauty now lost.
Hopkins’ attitude toward nature in “Binsey Poplars” is one of deep love, sorrow, and protest. He sees nature as spiritually rich, emotionally comforting, and morally important. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the need to respect and protect the natural world. Hopkins’ voice remains relevant today, as environmental concerns continue to grow, making “Binsey Poplars” not only a beautiful poem but also an early environmental warning.
COMPLETED
Mr. Femi is an education blogger who simplifies exam updates and study tips for Nigerian students. His goal is to make learning smart, easy, and rewarding.
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