2.4 - The Pulley - Std 10 - Kumarbharati

Aug 5
4 min read

Updated: Aug 9

Poet: George Herbert

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Std X

Genre: Metaphysical Poetry (Philosophical & Religious)

Summary:

In the poem The Pulley, the poet George Herbert presents a philosophical idea using a scientific image. When God created man, He decided to shower him with all possible blessings - strength, beauty, wisdom, honour, and pleasure. However, when only one gift- Rest - remained, God chose not to give it.

God reasoned that if man received rest, he would be content with the material world and forget his Creator. To prevent this, God kept man restless. This restlessness would ultimately pull man back to God, especially when he feels tired or empty. Just like a pulley lifts something upwards, man's weariness would lift his soul towards God. The poem conveys a deep relationship between man and the divine, where suffering becomes a means of spiritual connection.

Theme / Central Idea:

The poem highlights the spiritual idea that God created man with everything except complete rest. This restlessness serves as a ‘pulley’ that draws man closer to God. Through this, the poet explores how suffering and weariness often lead people to seek divine help, reminding them of the Creator.

Word Meanings

Word / Phrase	Meaning
Glass of blessings	A container filled with gifts from God
Contract into a span	Collect into a small measure
Bestow	To give as a gift
Adore	To worship or love deeply
Repining restlessness	Complaining uneasiness or dissatisfaction
Toss him to my breast	Bring him close to God through suffering
Pulley	A device used for lifting something (metaphor for God’s pull)
Jewel	Here, rest or peace of mind

Figures of Speech

Line from the Poem	Figure of Speech	Explanation
“Rest in the bottom lay.”	Pun	‘Rest’ means both peace and remaining; creates wordplay.
“Bestow this jewel also on my creature.”	Metaphor	'Jewel' refers to ‘rest’, comparing it to a precious object.
“Repining restlessness”	Alliteration	Repetition of ‘r’ sound.
“And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature.”	Repetition / Paradox	Repeats ‘rest’, contrasting material vs spiritual rest.
“So both should losers be.”	Inversion	The normal word order is reversed for poetic effect.
“Let him be rich and weary.”	Antithesis	Contrasting ideas of being wealthy yet tired.

Two-Mark Questions

Q1. Why did God withhold the gift of ‘Rest’ from man?

→ God withheld the gift of 'Rest' because He believed that if man was completely content with the worldly blessings, he would forget his Creator. By keeping man restless, God ensured that man would seek Him in times of trouble and fatigue. This restlessness would ultimately pull man toward God, making the connection stronger.

Q2. How is the title ‘The Pulley’ suitable for this poem?

→ The title The Pulley is symbolic. A pulley is used to lift heavy objects. In the poem, restlessness acts like a pulley, lifting man toward God. By not giving man ‘Rest’, God made sure that when man becomes tired of the world, he would look for spiritual comfort in Him. Thus, the title effectively conveys the central idea of spiritual elevation through weariness.

Q3. What blessings did God bestow upon man according to the poem?

→ According to the poem, God gave man many valuable blessings such as strength, beauty, wisdom, honour, and pleasure. These were poured from a “glass of blessings.” However, He kept back the final blessing, which was Rest, to ensure man remained spiritually connected to Him.

Q4. What message does the poem convey about human suffering and spiritual growth?

→ The poem conveys that human suffering and restlessness are not punishments but tools that guide man towards spiritual awakening. Through discomfort and fatigue, man is reminded of God’s presence and is led to seek divine comfort. It presents a spiritual perspective on why struggles exist in human life.

True or False

God gave man the gift of rest along with other blessings. → False
The poem uses a scientific device to express a spiritual idea. → True
According to the poem, man turns to God only when he is joyful. → False

📌 Probable Board Questions

Q1. What is the significance of “repining restlessness” in the poem?

→ It symbolizes the uneasiness God gave man intentionally. This dissatisfaction prevents man from becoming too attached to worldly pleasures and encourages him to turn to God.

Q2. How does George Herbert blend science and spirituality in the poem?

→ Herbert uses the scientific image of a pulley to convey a spiritual idea. Just like a pulley lifts a load, restlessness lifts man’s soul toward God, bridging the gap between the physical and spiritual world.

Q3. What would have happened if God had given man the gift of rest?

→ If man had received rest, he would have been fully satisfied with worldly pleasures and never remembered God. Both God and man would have lost—the man would worship the gifts, not the Giver, and God would lose man’s devotion.

Q4. Why is the poem considered metaphysical?

→ The poem is metaphysical because it discusses philosophical ideas like man's relationship with God, spiritual longing, and divine intention using a symbolic and intellectual approach.

Appreciation of the Poem

The poem The Pulley by George Herbert is a metaphysical poem with a spiritual message. It describes how God gave man all blessings except ‘rest’ so that man would remain restless and be drawn toward God. The poet uses the image of a pulley to symbolise this spiritual pull. The language is symbolic and rich in poetic devices like metaphor, pun, antithesis, and inversion. The poem has a reflective and philosophical tone. The rhyme scheme is consistent (a b a b a). I liked this poem because it gives a new meaning to restlessness, showing it as a path to reach God.

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