In The Pulley, Herbert imagines God’s creation of man as a divine gift, bestowed upon Adam at the beginning of the world. The poem centers on the concept of “blessing,” and it reflects a theological belief that everything in the world is a gift from God. Herbert begins by describing how God pours His blessings on humanity. He gives man strength, beauty, wisdom, honor, and pleasure – all the best gifts the world has to offer.
However, the key moment in the poem comes when God decides to withhold the most precious gift: rest. God perceives that if man were to have rest, he would rely too much on the world’s riches and lose sight of God Himself. Rest, in this context, is more than just physical relaxation; it represents spiritual peace, the ultimate fulfillment. By withholding rest, Herbert suggests that humanity would never be fully satisfied in the world. This lack of rest pushes mankind toward God in search of true peace.
Thus, the “pulley” of the title symbolizes the divine mechanism that pulls man toward God. It is through the tension between human desires and spiritual longing that one is led to seek divine rest and fulfillment.
Key Themes of the Poem:
- The Human Condition and Longing
Herbert explores the theme of human restlessness. Though man has received many gifts from God, it is the lack of rest that makes him yearn for something more – ultimately driving him to seek a deeper, spiritual connection with God. This tension mirrors the restlessness of human nature, forever seeking satisfaction but never truly finding it in worldly things alone. - Divine Wisdom and Providence
God, in His infinite wisdom, withholds rest from man, knowing that if man were content with earthly pleasures alone, he would never seek a relationship with his Creator. In Herbert’s view, this is an act of divine grace – a necessary deprivation that leads to a higher spiritual fulfillment. - The Role of Spiritual Striving
The Pulley suggests that it is through struggle and striving that one truly finds peace. The absence of rest makes humanity restless, and it is this yearning that ultimately brings people to God. Restlessness, then, becomes a divine tool for drawing individuals closer to the divine presence.
Human Dependency on God
Herbert’s poem underscores that, despite all the gifts humanity may receive, the ultimate fulfillment is found in God alone. Through this withholding of rest, Herbert emphasizes human dependence on God, illustrating the relationship between the Creator and the created.
The Poem: “The Pulley” by George Herbert
When God at first made man,
Having a glass of blessing standing by,
Let us (said he) pour on him all we can:
Let the world’s riches, which dispersed lie,
Contract into a span.
So strength first made a way;
Then beauty flowed, then wisdom, honour, pleasure;
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that alone of all his treasure,
Rest in the bottom lay.
For if I should (said he)
Bestow this jewel also on my creature,
He would adore my gifts instead of me,
And rest in nature, not the God of nature:
So both should losers be.
Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlessness;
Let him be rich and weary, that at least,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to my breast.
Conclusion
The Pulley by George Herbert offers an insightful reflection on the human search for spiritual fulfillment. By withholding the gift of rest, God ensures that humanity continues to yearn for something beyond the material world, ultimately driving them toward a divine connection. Through this clever metaphysical conceit, Herbert explores themes of divine wisdom, the human condition, and the pursuit of spiritual fulfillment, making the poem a profound meditation on humanity’s place in the grand design of creation.
