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Question

Difficulty: MediumAnalysis of Prescribed Non-African Poems

In George Herbert's prescribed non-African poem 'The Pulley', what primary reason does God give for withholding the final gift of 'rest' from man?

  1. To ensure that if goodness alone does not draw man to God, weariness will eventually lead him back to his Creator.Answer
  2. B
    To punish humanity for preferring earthly riches over divine fellowship.
  3. C
    To illustrate that physical strength and spiritual tranquility are an inherent literary paradox.
  4. D
    To symbolize that rest is a metaphor for mortal death rather than earthly peace.

Answer

God withhold rest so that human fatigue and weariness will ultimately draw humanity back to God.
In George Herbert's 'The Pulley', God bestows all natural and spiritual blessings upon man except 'rest' (contentment). God foresees that if man possessed ultimate rest on earth, he would worship the creation instead of the Creator. Thus, God leaves man restless so that when worldly pleasures fail to satisfy, human weariness will pull ('toss') him back to God.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the core conceit in George Herbert's poem 'The Pulley'.
The poem uses a metaphysical conceit of a glass of blessings poured by God onto newly created humanity.
Understanding the conceit establishes the thematic foundation of the poem.
2
Identify the specific blessing held back by God in the third stanza.
God leaves 'rest' at the bottom of the glass, stating: 'If I should bestow this jewel also on my creature, / He would adore my gifts instead of me'.
This directly reveals God's rationale for keeping rest from man.
3
Synthesize the final stanza's conclusion.
God lets man keep the other blessings alongside 'repining restlessness', concluding that 'If goodness lead him not, yet weariness / May toss him to my breast.'
This confirms that human restlessness functions like a pulley, hoisting man back to God.

Key Concept

The Metaphysical Conceit of Divine Restlessness in 'The Pulley'
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Analysis of Prescribed Non-African Poems

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