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Question
Write Critical Appreciation of the poem in a paragraph format.
Points
- Title
- Poet
- Rhyme scheme
- Favourite line
- Theme/Central idea
- Figures of speech
- Special features - Type of the poem, language, tone, implied meaning, etc.
- Why I like/ dislike the poem.
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Solution
The Pulley
The title of the poem is "The Pulley'. The poet is George Herbert.
The central idea of the poem is the reason for man's continual restlessness all his life. According to the poet, this is because God withheld the quality of rest from man, so that man's thoughts would ultimately turn towards God, his creator
Each verse of the poem has five lines. The rhyme scheme of each verse is a-b-a-b-a.
The chief figure of speech used in the poem is Metaphor. The glass of blessings' signifies the sum of all human qualities bestowed on man. The quality of 'rest' or 'contentment' is implicitly compared to a jewel'. The other figures of speech are Pun, Inversion, Paradox, etc.
This is a metaphysical poem with a message. And the message is that however rich we may be, or whatever the abundance of qualities we may have, we must always turn our thoughts to God and thank Him for the many blessings He has bestowed on us. The poem is rich in imagery and monologues. It is an example of an extended metaphor.
My favourite line in this poem is 'Let him be rich and weary. This brings out the paradox of man's nature so well. Even the richest man in the world finally gets tired and experiences discontentment. This is what God intended for man.
I like this poem very much because it teaches me not to be self-satisfied and contented but to always remember and thank God for all the blessings He has bestowed on me.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Read the following extract and do the activities.
When God at first made Man,
Having a glass of blessings standing by;
Let us (said He) “pour on him all we can:”
Let the worlds riches, which dispersed lie,
Contract into a span.
So strength first made a way;
Then beauty flow’d, then wisdom, honour, pleasure:
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that alone of all His treasures
Rest in the bottom lay.
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.
Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlessness:
Let him be rich and weary, that at last,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to my breast.
(A1) Choose the correct alternative from the following. 02
(1) The first gift that God gave man is _________
a. Wisdom b. Strength c. Beauty d. Rest
(2) The poem displays ___________ as the main theme.
a. Origin of human species
b. Origin of universe and galaxy
c. Origin of spirituality
d. Origin of earth and space
(A2) Explain the reason why rest is withheld from man by God. 02
(A3) Write the rhyme scheme of the first stanza. 01
You may have often indulged in talking to yourself audibly.
For example,
- “Oh, dear! Why didn't I get up sooner?”
- “Let me finish this quickly and then I’ll be free”.
- “How silly of me! Why didn’t I think of it before?”
Such expressions are called Dramatic Monologues.
Imagine and write Monologues suitable in the following situation.
It’s your birthday next week.
You may have often indulged in talking to yourself audibly.
For example,
- “Oh, dear! Why didn't I get up sooner?”
- “Let me finish this quickly and then I’ll be free”.
- “How silly of me! Why didn’t I think of it before?”
Such expressions are called Dramatic Monologues.
Imagine and write Monologues suitable in the following situation.
Your final exam results are to be declared tomorrow.
Go through the following images and try to link them with our lives. For example, Storm - Hardships that we face in our life.
 |
Sorrowful moments |
 |
Determination |
 |
Strength |
 |
Life |
 |
Honour |
 |
Hope |
 |
Wisdom |
 |
Beauty |
Choose the correct alternative from the following.
The theme of the poem ‘The Pulley’ is ___________.
(Find two correct statements from the given alternatives.)
(i) to focus on the mechanical operation of a pulley.
(ii) to teach a lesson to a creation (man) by the Creator (God)
(iii) to know the different gifts bestowed on man by God.
(iv) to remind man about his creator in his exhaustion.
(v) God pulled man towards Him by making him restless and weary.
Choose the correct alternative from the following.
_____________ is an example of Synecdoche from the poem.
Choose the correct alternative from the following.
________________ is an example of Inversion from the poem.
Discuss and answer in your own words, and write in your notebook.
The poet has used the word REST thrice in the poem. Write what the word implies in each of the three lines it occurs.
Discuss and answer in your own words, and write in your notebook.
What does God want in return from man, for the gifts He has bestowed upon him?
Discuss and answer in your own words, and write in your notebook.
Besides those given in the poem, what other gifts has God blessed mankind with above his other creations? Enlist them.
