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Summary
The nun’s death in other words is the manifestation of Christ which can guide the world like a flame. Hopkins presents the dual nature of Christ. While one aspect represents his divinity, the other his human aspect. He remained in the womb of Virgin Mary after his descendants from the Heaven and then he took his birth which was like a miracle. Christ represents the middle name in the Trinity namely, God, Christ and the Holy Ghost. The shipwreck represents Christ’s visit to the world but the shipwreck has neither terror nor the darkness of Doomsday. Christ’s kindness never be doubted but that cannot be an excuse of not obeying him. Rather he like a king can summon those souls which belong to him like those dead in shipwreck. This shipwreck is a brief event representing Christ’s visit and it is beyond the comprehension of common human beings.
Line by Line Analysis
Lines 1-4: Now burn, new born....Mary-of-flame
Now burn on: Hopkins requests Christ to bum like a flame.
new born: Christ has taken a new birth through the chief nun
Double-natured name: The two aspects of Christ e.g. human and divine have been revealed.
The heaven-flung: Christ who has descended from heaven.
maiden-furled: Conceived in the virgin’s womb. Christ is like a flailing conceived by Mary who is a Virgin. So it is a miracle by God.
Mid numbered.....throne: It refers to Christ who represents the middle in Supreme Trinity e.g. God, Christ and the Holy Ghost.
Not a dooms-day dazzle in his coming nor dark as he came. Christ is visiting the earth through the shipwreck but this shipwreck has neither the dazzle nor the darkness which in other words mean that like dooms-day it doesn’t create terror.
Kind, but royally reclaiming his own: Though Christ has been merciful but at the same time he is autocratic and has dictated the soul to be near him.
let flash to the shire: it is a very small event in limited area.
not a lightning of fire hard-hurled: This shipwreck cannot be compared to the lightning with its deadly fire.