Unit III - Poetry
3.3.1 - PULLEY OR THE GIFT OF GOD - GEORGE HERBERT
SUMMARY
Book Back Questions
1. How far is the title of the poem “The Pulley” justified?
The title “The Pulley” is fully justified because the pulley is the central metaphor of the poem. George Herbert compares God’s relationship with man to the working of a pulley. God sends many blessings like strength, beauty, wisdom, honor, and pleasure down to man, just as a pulley moves downward with weight. However, God withholds one important gift called “rest” and keeps it with Him. This remaining weight pulls man back towards God, just like a pulley moves upward. Through this image, Herbert explains why man is restless and unsatisfied. The pulley helps man rise spiritually towards God. Thus, the title clearly reflects the main idea and meaning of the poem.
2. Consider “The Pulley” as a religious poem.
“The Pulley” is a religious poem because it deals with the relationship between God and man. The poem explains God’s love, wisdom, and purpose in creating man. God blesses man with many worldly gifts but withholds perfect rest so that man will not forget Him. The poem shows that worldly pleasures cannot give true peace. Only God can give real rest and spiritual satisfaction. Herbert presents God as a caring Father who wants man to remain connected with Him. When man becomes proud or forgets God, weariness and restlessness bring him back to God. Thus, the poem teaches a spiritual lesson and clearly reflects religious beliefs.
3. What is the jewel of God’s blessings? Why does God decide not to bestow it on man?
The jewel of God’s blessings is “rest” or perfect peace. God decides not to bestow this gift on man because He does not want man to become self-sufficient and forget Him. If man had perfect rest along with worldly pleasures, he would admire only God’s gifts and not God Himself. Man would rest in nature instead of the God of nature. This would break the bond between God and man, and both would lose. Therefore, God wisely keeps the jewel of rest with Him. By doing so, God ensures that man remains restless and continues to seek Him for true peace and spiritual fulfillment.
4. Assess George Herbert’s The Pulley as a metaphysical poem.
The Pulley is a metaphysical poem because it uses a clever and unusual conceit. Herbert compares God’s blessings and man’s restlessness to a pulley, a simple scientific machine. This unexpected comparison helps explain a deep spiritual truth. The poem combines religion, philosophy, and intellect in a simple manner. It explains why man is restless despite having many pleasures. The poem also reflects wit, imagination, and deep thinking, which are qualities of metaphysical poetry. Abstract ideas like rest, happiness, and divine love are explained using a concrete object. Thus, The Pulley is a fine example of metaphysical poetry.
5. How does God decide to make man seek Him?
God decides to make man seek Him by withholding the gift of perfect rest. Though God gives man many blessings like strength, beauty, pleasure, and honor, these do not last forever. As time passes, these pleasures fade and man becomes weary and restless. This weariness makes man feel empty and dissatisfied. When gratitude does not bring man closer to God, weariness does. God uses this restlessness to pull man back towards Him, just like the upward movement of a pulley. Thus, God lovingly designs restlessness as a way to lead man back to Him for true peace.