Exploring the Figures of Speech, Mood, Tone, and Language in The Pulley by George Herbert

George Herbert’s poem The Pulley is a remarkable piece that examines the relationship between man and God, focusing on the idea of divine purpose and human limitations. Written in the 17th century, Herbert uses a blend of religious allegory, symbolism, and philosophical inquiry to express his thoughts on the nature of God’s gifts and their effects on mankind. Through various figures of speech, Herbert conveys a deep message about the human condition, the divine order, and the limits of human strength. This article breaks down 15 figures of speech found in The Pulley, while also analyzing the mood, tone, and language used in the poem. We’ll also explore how to incorporate these insights into class activities and assignments.

Poem: 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 flow’d, 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.

Figures of Speech in The Pulley

1. Metaphor
   • Example: “When God at first made man”
     The creation of man is presented as a metaphorical event, where God is depicted as a creator shaping the destiny of humanity.
   • Example: “A glass of blessings standing by”
     The “glass of blessings” is a metaphor for the abundance of divine gifts God has for mankind.
2. Personification
   • Example: “Rest in the bottom lay”
     The abstract concept of “rest” is personified as an entity that lies at the bottom, implying that true contentment is not easily accessible or obvious.
   • Example: “He would adore My gifts instead of Me”
     The concept of “adoration” is personified, as if the gifts themselves can be the object of worship.
3. Symbolism
   • Example: “A glass of blessings”
     The glass symbolizes the potential for human beings to receive God’s gifts. It reflects the idea of divine generosity and provision.
   • Example: “Rest in the bottom lay”
     Rest symbolizes ultimate satisfaction, but it’s hidden at the bottom, suggesting that it is not immediately accessible.
4. Alliteration
   • Example: “Let the world’s riches”
     The repetition of the ‘r’ sound creates a rhythmic quality, highlighting the abundance of blessings available to humanity.
   • Example: “Bestow this jewel also”
     The repetition of the ‘b’ sound emphasizes the importance of the “jewel,” symbolizing a divine gift.
5. Oxymoron
   • Example: “Rich and weary”
     The juxtaposition of “rich” and “weary” creates an oxymoron, reflecting the paradox of material wealth leading to spiritual emptiness or fatigue.
6. Juxtaposition
   • Example: “Bestow this jewel also on My creature / He would adore My gifts instead of Me”
     The juxtaposition of God’s gifts and the desire for the creature to worship God Himself highlights the tension between worshipping the giver versus the gift.
7. Allusion
   • Example: “When God at first made man”
     This is an allusion to the Biblical creation story in Genesis, which frames the entire poem in a religious context.
   • Example: “Rest in the bottom lay”
     This could be an allusion to the Biblical notion of true rest, found in God’s presence, as alluded to in the Book of Matthew.
8. Anaphora
   • Example: “Let us (said He) pour on him all we can”
     The repetition of “let us” at the beginning of each line emphasizes the deliberate actions of God in creating man and bestowing blessings.
9. Hyperbole
   • Example: “When almost all was out”
     The phrase exaggerates the idea of God’s blessings being almost completely given to humanity, emphasizing their abundance.
10. Rhetorical Question

• Example: “For if I should (said He)”
  The rhetorical question asks what would happen if God were to bestow the gift of rest on man, subtly hinting at the consequences of such an action.

11. Irony

• Example: “Rest in the bottom lay”
  The irony here is that rest, which is typically associated with peace, is seen as the most valuable but is hidden, implying that true rest can only be found by surrendering to God, not through worldly wealth.

12. Metonymy

• Example: “He would adore My gifts instead of Me”
  “Gifts” is used as a metonym for material and worldly pleasures, symbolizing that man may worship the gifts rather than the divine giver of those gifts.

13. Consonance

• Example: “Let him be rich and weary”
  The repeated ‘r’ and ‘w’ sounds create a pleasing consonant harmony that accentuates the burden of wealth.

14. Enjambment

• Example: “Let him be rich and weary, that at least / If goodness lead him not, yet weariness / May toss him to My breast.”
  The enjambment—where the sentence flows beyond the line break—suggests a continuing thought, emphasizing the ongoing human struggle.

15. Pun

• Example: “If goodness lead him not, yet weariness / May toss him to My breast”
  The word “toss” plays with the idea of both throwing and being gently guided or led, creating a subtle pun that adds depth to the speaker’s plea for weariness to lead man to God.

Mood, Tone, and Language in The Pulley

• Mood: The mood of The Pulley can be described as contemplative and philosophical. The speaker reflects on the nature of divine gifts and their purpose in human life. There is a feeling of quiet resignation in the way man is portrayed as being in need of something beyond material wealth—true rest and spiritual fulfillment.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective, serene, and somewhat instructive. Herbert’s speaker uses a gentle, yet commanding voice to reveal the divine purpose behind the limitations placed on mankind, presenting the idea that human weariness may be a divine mechanism for leading people back to God.
• Language: The language in The Pulley is formal and elevated, fitting the religious and philosophical themes. Herbert uses rich imagery and precise diction to convey deep theological and existential concepts. The simplicity of the language allows for a profound understanding of the human condition and divine intentions.

Class Activities for The Pulley

1. Poetry Recitation
   • Have students memorize and recite The Pulley aloud. Focus on delivering the lines with the proper tone and emotion to reflect the poem’s contemplative mood.
2. Group Discussion on Figures of Speech
   • Divide the class into groups and assign each group a specific figure of speech from the poem. Have them discuss its meaning, relevance to the poem’s theme, and present their findings to the class.
3. Creative Writing
   • Ask students to write a poem of their own using similar figures of speech found in The Pulley. Encourage them to explore a religious or philosophical theme.
4. Comparative Analysis
   • Have students compare The Pulley with another poem by George Herbert or a different metaphysical poet, focusing on how themes of divine purpose and human limitation are explored.
5. Visual Representation of the Poem
   • Students will create a visual representation of the poem’s imagery. This could be a painting, drawing, or collage that captures the key themes, such as the glass of blessings or the concept of rest.

Class Assignments for The Pulley

1. Poem Analysis Essay
   • Write an essay analyzing how Herbert uses figures of speech to convey the relationship between man and God in The Pulley.
2. Personal Reflection on the Theme of Weariness
   • Write a personal reflection on how the poem’s theme of human weariness connects to your own life. Discuss whether weariness ever leads you toward spiritual growth.
3. Research on Metaphysical Poetry
   • Research metaphysical poetry and write a report on how Herbert’s work fits into this literary movement, focusing on his use of religious and philosophical themes.
4. Comparative Poem Assignment
   • Write a comparison between The Pulley and another poem that deals with divine intervention or the human quest for fulfillment.
5. Creative Interpretation of Rest
   • Create a short story or poem that explores the concept of rest in the same way The Pulley does—by connecting physical weariness to spiritual yearning.