George Herbert was an influential English poet, priest, and theologian in the 17th century, whose works reflect his deep Christian faith and spirituality. One of his most famous metaphysical poems, “The Pulley,” is a short, yet profoundly symbolic piece that explores the relationship between God and humankind. The poem delves into the human condition, focusing on themes such as divine creation, human imperfection, and the longing for a closer connection with God. In this article, we will provide a background to the poem, offer a summary, discuss key details, analyze the settings of the poem, and provide class activities and assignments that will deepen understanding of this literary work.
Background to the Poem
“The Pulley” was written in the early 17th century by George Herbert, who was known for his religious poetry that reflects the metaphysical style of his era. Herbert wrote poetry that often fused personal spiritual reflection with theological themes, making his works deeply introspective and reverential. In “The Pulley,” Herbert addresses the concept of human imperfection and the divine plan, presenting a theological idea that God created man with a longing or “pulley” that would continually draw the soul toward Him.
Herbert’s use of the metaphor of a pulley symbolizes the idea that God withheld certain qualities from humans—specifically rest or contentment—to keep them yearning for a deeper relationship with Him. Through this metaphor, Herbert explores the tension between human satisfaction and spiritual longing, suggesting that it is through this lack of ultimate contentment that humans are drawn to God.
Summary of the Poem
“The Pulley” is a short, four-stanza poem that describes how God, in His act of creation, gave mankind many gifts—strength, beauty, wisdom, and honor—but withheld one crucial gift: rest or contentment. The speaker imagines that, in God’s design, He purposely made humans imperfect so that they would never be fully satisfied and would always yearn for something beyond this world, ultimately drawing them closer to Him.
The speaker suggests that this divine withholding of rest is not a punishment but a blessing in disguise. By keeping humans in a state of yearning and longing, God has provided them with a means to seek Him, recognizing that the ultimate peace and satisfaction lie in a relationship with the Creator.
Key Plot Details
The key points of “The Pulley” can be summarized as follows:
- God’s Creation of Man: The poem begins by describing how God created man with various gifts: strength, beauty, wisdom, and honor.
- Withholding Rest: However, God withheld one thing—rest—so that humans would not be content and would remain longing for something more.
- The Divine Purpose: The speaker suggests that the reason God withheld rest was to encourage humans to seek Him, drawing them closer through their dissatisfaction.
- The Power of Longing: Herbert concludes that by withholding rest, God created in humans a constant yearning, ultimately guiding them toward spiritual fulfillment in God’s presence.
Settings of the Poem
The setting of “The Pulley” is metaphorical, focusing on the divine act of creation and the relationship between God and humanity. Herbert uses the metaphor of a “pulley” to suggest that God pulls humans towards Him by withholding rest, and the “setting” is not a physical space but a theological and spiritual framework. This spiritual setting creates a tension between human longing and divine fulfillment, emphasizing the idea that humanity’s dissatisfaction in life is a divine tool to bring them closer to God.
The poem is set within the context of Christian theology, with the speaker reflecting on God’s purposeful design in creation. The setting is spiritual, not physical, underscoring the metaphysical nature of Herbert’s poetry.
Class Activities
- Metaphor Exploration: Have students break down the metaphor of the “pulley” in the poem. What does the pulley represent, and how does it reflect the relationship between man and God?
- Group Discussion on Theological Themes: Organize a class discussion on the theme of longing and spiritual yearning. How does the concept of spiritual dissatisfaction shape human behavior? What does it mean to “yearn” for God?
- Poetry Writing: Ask students to write a short poem that explores the idea of longing or yearning for something that they cannot fully possess. Have them include a metaphor to represent this longing.
- Comparative Study: Compare “The Pulley” with another poem by George Herbert, such as “Love (III).” Discuss how Herbert’s portrayal of God in each poem reflects his views on divine love and human imperfection.
- Artistic Interpretation: Have students create an artwork that visually represents the idea of a “pulley” drawing people toward something greater. This could be a physical or symbolic representation of spiritual longing.
Class Assignments
- Theme Analysis: Write a one-page paper analyzing the theme of human longing in the poem. How does the metaphor of the pulley help express this theme, and what role does God play in this longing?
- Divine Purpose: Write a short essay on whether you agree with Herbert’s view that spiritual dissatisfaction is a blessing. Do you believe that humans are drawn to God through their discontent?
- Paraphrasing Exercise: Have students paraphrase the poem in their own words to understand Herbert’s meaning better. This will also help them engage with the poem on a deeper level.
- Research Assignment: Research the life and theology of George Herbert. How do his personal beliefs and experiences influence the ideas presented in “The Pulley”? Write a report on the connection between his life and his poetry.
Human Yearning: Conduct a survey among classmates on what they believe humans long for most in life. Compare these desires with the concept of longing for God in the poem. Write a report on your findings.
The Pulley
by George Herbert
When God at first made man,
Having a glass of blessings 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, honor, 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
George Herbert’s The Pulley presents a profound theological reflection on the human condition and the relationship between humans and their Creator. Through the metaphor of the pulley, Herbert suggests that God intentionally leaves humans in a state of spiritual longing, not as punishment but as a means of drawing them closer to Him. This poem highlights the paradox of dissatisfaction as a divine tool, and it invites readers to consider the deeper spiritual purposes behind their own desires and yearnings.
