The Flower by George Herbert

 The Flower by George Herbert

The Flower by George Herbert

 

George Herbert: Life and Works

 Life:

George Herbert (1593-1633) was an English poet, clergyman, and metaphysical poet.

He was born in Montgomery, Wales, and came from a prominent aristocratic family.

Herbert served as a Member of Parliament and later as a priest in the Church of England, where he wrote religious poetry.

Works:

George Herbert is best known for his religious poetry, with his most famous work being "The Temple" (1633).

"The Temple" is a collection of poems exploring themes of faith, devotion, and the Christian life.

Herbert's poetry is characterized by its intricate metaphors and deep spirituality.

His poems often reflect his struggles with his own faith and his deep commitment to God.

George Herbert's life and works are emblematic of the metaphysical poetry tradition, characterized by intellectual and spiritual exploration. His poetry continues to be appreciated for its religious depth and artistic beauty.

 Summary

"The Flower" by George Herbert is a religious poem that explores themes of renewal, divine grace, and the transient nature of human life. Here is a detailed summary of the poem:

 The poem begins with the speaker addressing God and marveling at the freshness, sweetness, and purity of God's "returns" or blessings. These blessings are likened to the beauty of flowers in spring, which not only possess their inherent grace but also receive additional pleasure from the tributes of joy offered by the late-past frosts. The speaker suggests that grief and sorrow melt away like snow in May, as if they had never existed.

 The second stanza delves into the speaker's personal experience. He expresses astonishment that his withered heart, which had seemed lifeless and buried underground, could regain its vitality. This revival is compared to how flowers, after blossoming, return to their mother-root to renew their strength during the harsh weather, remaining hidden from the world.

 The poem then acknowledges the transformative power of God, the "Lord of power," who can bring life and death, descending to hell and ascending to heaven in an instant. God's actions are compared to the chiming of a passing-bell, signifying the temporal and transitory nature of human life. The speaker recognizes that people often misjudge circumstances, and the only truth lies in God's word, if they could understand and interpret it.

 The fourth stanza expresses the speaker's desire for a state of unchanging permanence, where he can dwell in God's paradise without the fear of withering or decline. The speaker longs for a constant connection with God, offering himself to heaven with the dedication of a blooming flower, despite the groans and struggles that accompany this spiritual journey.

 However, the poem acknowledges the reality of human frailty. The fifth stanza illustrates the speaker's spiritual aspirations as he grows steadily upward, only to falter and decline when God's anger is provoked. God's anger is compared to a frost and a turning pole, causing everything to burn. Even the slightest frown from God is a cause for great concern.

 In the penultimate stanza, the poem conveys the idea of renewal and second chances. The speaker finds himself budding and regaining life in old age after enduring many deaths. He rediscovers the joy of experiencing the dew and rain and resumes writing poetry, which he describes as "versing." The speaker sees this revival as a gift of divine grace, and he recognizes that he cannot be the one upon whom God's tempests raged all night.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close by addressing God as the "Lord of love." The poem acknowledges the ephemeral nature of human existence, likening humans to transient flowers that glide through life. The hope is expressed that, when individuals acknowledge their fleeting nature and experience God's grace, they will find a place to abide in God's garden. The poem warns against pride and the desire for worldly wealth, suggesting that such desires can lead to the forfeiture of paradise.

In summary, "The Flower" by George Herbert is a reflective and spiritual poem that explores the themes of divine grace, human frailty, and the hope of redemption. It underscores the transient nature of human life and the need for humility and reliance on God's grace to find a lasting place of abode in the divine garden.

MCQs

 

1.      In "The Flower," what does the freshness and sweetness of God's "returns" symbolize?

a)      The beauty of spring

b)      The tributes of pleasure

c)      The resilience of flowers

d)     The bitterness of winter

Answer: a) The beauty of spring

 

2.      What is the central theme of "The Flower"?

a)      The permanence of human life

b)      The fleeting nature of human existence

c)      The significance of seasonal changes

d)     The beauty of nature

Answer: b) The fleeting nature of human existence

 

3.      What is the significance of the late-past frosts in the poem?

a)      They symbolize the harshness of winter.

b)      They represent the tributes of pleasure.

c)      They illustrate the temporary nature of grief.

d)     They signify the arrival of spring.

Answer: b) They represent the tributes of pleasure.

 

4.      How does the speaker describe his heart in the poem?

a)      Shrinking and withered

b)      Blooming and flourishing

c)      Cold and unfeeling

d)     Joyful and lively

Answer: a) Shrinking and withered

 

5.      What does the speaker compare his heart to in the poem?

a)      Flowers in full bloom

b)      Flowers departing to their mother-root

c)      A garden in full glory

d)     A fruitful tree

Answer: b) Flowers departing to their mother-root

 

6.      What is the poem's message about the power of God?

a)      God has no power over nature.

b)      God can control all aspects of life.

c)      God's power is unpredictable and arbitrary.

d)     God can bring life and death in an instant.

Answer: d) God can bring life and death in an instant.

 

7.      What is the effect of God's anger in the poem?

a)      It causes the speaker's heart to wither.

b)      It turns the world into a garden.

c)      It leads to a period of spiritual growth.

d)     It burns everything and causes decline.

Answer: d) It burns everything and causes decline.

 

8.      What does the speaker long for in the fourth stanza?

a)      A permanent state of change

b)      A place where flowers never wither

c)      A swift journey to heaven

d)     A life free from suffering

Answer: b) A place where flowers never wither

 

9.      What is the speaker's response to God's tempests in the penultimate stanza?

a)      The speaker becomes resentful and angry.

b)      The speaker continues to grow upward without pause.

c)      The speaker withers and declines.

d)     The speaker accepts the tempests as part of life.

Answer: d) The speaker accepts the tempests as part of life.

 

10.  What is the poem's overall message about human life and humility?

a)      Human life is everlasting, and pride is justified.

b)      Human life is fleeting, and humility is needed to find lasting abode with God.

c)      Human life is insignificant in the grand scheme of nature.

d)     Human life is predictable and unchanging.

Answer: b) Human life is fleeting, and humility is needed to find lasting abode with God.

  

 Short Answer Type questions

 

1.      What does the imagery of "late-past frosts" contributing "tributes of pleasure" signify in the poem?

Answer: The imagery of "late-past frosts" contributing "tributes of pleasure" signifies the idea that even hardships and sorrows can bring joy and renewal when they are followed by a more positive and joyful period, much like the arrival of spring after the cold of winter.

 

2.      How does the poem explore the concept of human frailty and resilience?

Answer: The poem explores human frailty by describing the withered heart and the decline experienced by the speaker. However, it also conveys resilience by showing that, even in old age, there is the possibility of renewal and growth.

 

3.      What is the central message of the poem regarding God's role in human life?

Answer: The central message of the poem is that God has the power to both bring life and renewal and to cause decline and suffering in human life. The poem emphasizes the transient and unpredictable nature of existence, with God as the ultimate source of both joy and adversity.

 

4.      How does the poem convey the idea of humility and acceptance in the face of life's challenges?

Answer: The poem conveys the idea of humility and acceptance by depicting the speaker's willingness to accept the tempests and declines in life as part of the natural order. It suggests that finding a lasting place in God's garden requires humility and an acknowledgment of the fleeting nature of human existence.

 

5.      What does the poem imply about the relationship between human pride and spiritual fulfillment?

Answer: The poem implies that human pride and the desire for worldly gain can lead individuals to forfeit their spiritual fulfillment and place in God's garden. It suggests that true fulfillment and lasting abode are found through humility and acceptance of God's will rather than through pride and ambition.