Description
Gerard Manley Hopkins: A Companion on the way: An introduction to the poet’s life and poetry
A reflective exploration led by Dr Jill Robson, journal editor of the Hopkins Society (UK)
Bursaries available
Hopkins has an undeserved reputation as being a ‘difficult’ poet – he certainly was an innovative one. He was, like so many of us, a man of contradictions and opposites. He has written some of the finest religious poetry full of joy, and recorded extraordinarily detailed observations of the natural world in his journals, as well as writing the painfully truthful ‘Terrible Sonnets’ about depression despair and desolation. His was a life of change, from being born and growing up as an Anglican, through conversion to Roman Catholicism as an undergraduate, to becoming a Jesuit priest as an adult. He moved around a great deal ending up in Dublin, where he died in 1889 just short of his 45th birthday.
The aim of this 24-hour event is to look at aspects of Hopkins life through his poetry written at that time, as a way of telling his outward story and which gives us some glimpses into his inner spiritual journey. There will be times for individual reflection and some discussion. This will be a way to introduce Hopkins to those who know little of his poetry, but also to give participants more familiar with his work a chance to reflect on the links between his life events and his poetry. And to make connections with our own experience. For us all, I believe that, Hopkins can continue to speak to those who know themselves to be on The Way l, whether in light, or dark or confused by contradictions.
Dr Jill Robson is the editor of the Journal of the Hopkins Society (UK). She is an independent scholar and writer with a particular interest in the links between moments of heightened visual perception, in poets and artists, and their works of creative imagination: in their poetry and painting. She has a doctorate in psychology and philosophy and a 40-year interest in how today we might understand unusual mystical experiences, e.g. visions, in the light of present-day research. And to do so without in any way dismissing the personal spiritual and psychological nature of these experiences. She has researched first- person accounts of visual mystical / spiritual experiences -whether from people she meets or in the autobiographical writings of, for instance, St Teresa of Avila, Thomas Treherne, William Wordsworth, William Blake, Thomas Merson etc. Gerard Manley Hopkins, through his poetry, journals and letters, has been a companion to her through many life changes and events since she first met him, in the 6th form as a (rather pious) teenager more than 60 years ago.
Arrivals from 4pm on Friday until 5pm on Saturday. Includes all meals, refreshments and accommodation.
Please note that Holland House does not provide a choice menu at meal times and it is therefore very important that you note any food types that you are unable to eat due to an allergy or you can advise of a dietary preference of vegetarian, pescatarian, dairy free, gluten free or vegan.
Holland House Bursary Scheme: We can give up to 25% off at your request if our retreats are too expensive for you.
Please contact reservations@hollandhouse.org to book. If you need a more generous bursary, please email the Warden, Helen Stanton via warden@hollandhouse.org
Please pay what you can so others may benefit from our bursary scheme. Thank you.