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Appreciation

2.4 The Pulley


The poem "The Pulley" is written by George Herbert.

It consists of stanzas with five lines each, following a rhyme scheme of a-b-a-b-a. The primary figure of speech used is metaphor. The term "glass of blessings" represents the totality of human qualities that God bestows upon mankind. Additionally, the quality of "rest" or "contentment" is metaphorically compared to a "jewel." Other figures of speech present in the poem include pun, inversion, and paradox.


The central theme of the poem explores the reason behind humanity's perpetual restlessness. Herbert argues that this restlessness arises because God deliberately withheld the quality of "rest" from humans, prompting them to seek their creator and turning their thoughts toward Him.