Three figures of speech in the poem the pulley by herbert George
In the poem "The Pulley" by George Herbert, there are several figures of speech used to convey deeper meanings. Here are three prominent figures of speech in the poem:
1. Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unrelated things for descriptive or symbolic purposes without using "like" or "as." In "The Pulley," the poet uses a metaphor to describe God withholding one gift from humans:
"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."
In this metaphor, the jewel symbolizes rest or satisfaction, and the poet suggests that if humans were given this gift along with all the other blessings, they would become too complacent and neglect their relationship with God.
2. Personification: Personification is a figure of speech in which human qualities or actions are attributed to non-human entities. In the poem, God is personified as a speaker, discussing his creation. For example:
"When man’s first disobedience sinned,
And ate the forbidden fruit, and you
Turned out a traitor to the Tree,
I wondered."
Here, God is personified as wondering or expressing surprise. This personification helps to create a more relatable and engaging image of God's emotions.
3. Allusion: An allusion is a figure of speech that references or mentions another work of literature, historic event, or person. In "The Pulley," there is an allusion to the biblical story of Adam and Eve and their disobedience in the Garden of Eden. The lines mentioned in the previous point allude to this story:
"When man’s first disobedience sinned,
And ate the forbidden fruit, and you
Turned out a traitor to the Tree,
I wondered."
This allusion emphasizes the fallibility of human nature and the potential consequences of receiving all of God's gifts.
These figures of speech enrich the poem by adding depth, conveying complex ideas, and creating vivid imagery.
To identify the figures of speech in a poem, you need to analyze the language used and examine whether any words or phrases go beyond their literal meaning. Here are three examples of figures of speech in the poem "The Pulley" by George Herbert:
1. Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unrelated things or ideas without using "like" or "as." In "The Pulley," the line "When man at first made choice of sin" uses the metaphor of sin as a choice. By comparing sin to a choice, the poet suggests that it is something man intentionally selects.
2. Personification: Personification is a figure of speech that attributes human characteristics to non-human objects or abstract ideas. In the line "And kept him in the chambers of the South," the chambers of the South are personified, as they are given the ability to keep man confined.
3. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves extreme exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect. In "The Pulley," the line "For if these charms, which nature gives to youth," includes hyperbole when they use the word "charms." This exaggeration heightens the reader's perception of the allure and power of youth.
By examining the language of the poem and identifying these figures of speech, you can gain a deeper understanding of the poet's intentions and the underlying meaning of the poem.
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Read the poem several times, including at least once out loud. Poetry is meant to be spoken, so there are many literary devices (figures of speech) that depend on sound. Use the definitions and examples in the website given above to help you.
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