Use Of Visual Image In The Pulley By George Herbert

As we have mentioned in few of the articles in naijapoets, The Pulley by George Herbert relates man and God, God bestowed man (his creation) blessings such as strength, beauty, wisdom and so on.

The language of the poem is simple and conversational with suggestive tone. The varying visual images created by George Herbert shows the supremacy of God over man (his creator).

The title of the poem portrayed the strength of God (the creator) judging by the fact that a pulley is a powerful lifting device capable of moving object from point "A" to point "B". According to the poem, God placed man on earth through creation, then added unto man that which will toss him back to the creator. The title is also effective in that the more God increases t
he gift of man, the more the burdens of the gift push man towards his creator, God.

The use of simple imageries, dramatic monologue, personification, etc; assisted in the painting of visual images all through the poem. Line 13-14 are clear instances among the imageries in the poem titled "The Pulley":
"He would adore my gift instead of me
And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature"

Dramatic monologue cast a visual image to the readers' mind through the suggestive voice shown by the poem persona. The voice of the poem does not only seem present during the creation of man, the direct speech in lines 3 and 11 respectively , revealed that God was democratic not authoritative during creation processes of man.
"Let us" said he "pour on him all we can" (in line 3)
"For if I should," said he, (in line 11).

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Samuel C. Enunwa aka samueldpoetry
(the Leo with wings flying)