An Essay by my 18-year-old-self on Gerard Manley Hopkins
A shout out to my grade eleven English teacher, John MacLean I probably never would have discovered Gerard Manley Hopkins in the first place if it had not been for Mr. MacLean. The best literature teacher I ever had, even including my very small foray into university literature classes. University literature classes make me glad that I am studying translation instead and only have to take four literature classes - although I admit to being glad I took them, and especially enjoyed the medieval French and English literature. I think Mr. MacLean is still teaching English in a High School in Halifax N.S. somewhere. Some comments before we get started I'm surprised I even knew what alliteration, repetition and internal rhyme were. I'm guessing I read other people's commentaries on his poetry and they used those terms. I had plenty of time to forget what alliteration was until taking my two English Literature classes this semester. I don't think I had any clue who John Henry...