G. M. 홉킨스와 영국 제국주의

This essay aims to examine the influence of imperialism in England on the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins. After he joined the Jesuit community, having a strong ‘Englishness’, he wanted England to be converted to the Catholic Church to recover the spiritual and national glory of England. His ambition was based on the duty of a Jesuit missionary and passionate patriot. And also, it was closely related to the imperialism which was widespread in England at his time. England was an Empire which had economically and territorially expanded its power oversees. He wished Catholic England would have led all the world to the Catholic Church. Just as the Jesuit was the soldier of Christ to convert all the world, so was the English Army the foots of the Empire. Therefore, the military force of England was very important to him like most other Victorians. Moreover, he hated anything weakening the bond of the world-wide Empire. Ireland was continually trying to get Home Rule, which, he thought, was a certain blow on the Empire. He neither understood the Irish’s hope nor enjoyed his life in Ireland. There, he became a jingoist and an active poet to propagate the ideals of England’s Empire.