The Flower
by George Herbert
How fresh, oh Lord, how sweet and clean
Are thy returns, even as the flowers in spring;
To which, besides their own demeanor,
The late past frosts tribute of pleasure bring.
Grief melts away
Like snow in May,
As if there were no such cold thing.Who would have thought my shriveled heart
Could have recovered greenness? It was gone
Quite underground; as flowers depart
To see their mother root, when they have blown,
Where they together
All the hard weather,
Dead to the world, keep house unknown.These are thy wonders, Lord of power,
Killing and quickening, bringing down to hell
And up to heaven in an hour;
Making a chiming of a passing bell.
We say amiss
This or that is:
Thy word is all, if we could spell.Oh that I once past changing were,
Fast in thy Paradise, where no flower can wither!
Many a spring I shoot up fair,
Offering to heaven, growing and groaning thither;
Nor doth my flower
Want a spring shower,
My sins and I joining together.But while I grow in a straight line,
Still upwards bent, as if heaven were mine own,
Thy anger comes, and I decline:
What frost to that? what pole is not the zone
Where all things burn,
When thou dost turn,
And the least frown of thine is shown?And now in age I bud again,
After so many deaths I live and write;
I once more smell the dew and rain,
And relish versing. Oh, my only light,
It cannot be
That I am he
On whom thy tempests fell all night.These are thy wonders, Lord of love,
To make us see we are but flowers that glide;
Which when we once can find and prove,
Thou hast a garden for us where to bide;
Who would be more,
Swelling through store,
Forfeit their Paradise by their pride.
Summary of The Flower
- Popularity of “The Flower” George Herbert’s “The Flower” is a deeply insightful poem exploring the speaker’s spiritual relationship with God, and the cyclical nature of life and faith. It beautifully connects the changing seasons, particularly the arrival of spring, to the experience of renewal and grace. The poem is celebrated for its rich imagery and profound meditation on divine power.
- “The Flower” As a Representative of Nature The poem centers around the analogy of a flower to represent the human soul. Just as a flower thrives in spring, withers in winter, and returns to its roots, the speaker describes a similar cycle of spiritual growth, decline, and rebirth. The imagery of budding, blooming, and withering is used to represent moments of spiritual joy, suffering, and the eventual return to God’s grace. The speaker marvels at God’s power to create and destroy, to bring life from death, and to turn even sorrow into something beautiful. The poem suggests that true spiritual fulfillment lies in recognizing our dependence on God and accepting both the joys and sorrows of life as part of a larger divine plan.
- Major Themes in “The Flower” The primary themes of “The Flower” are spirituality, divine grace, renewal, and the cyclical nature of life. The poem explores the speaker’s journey of faith, his moments of doubt and despair, and his ultimate return to God. It emphasizes the importance of humility and surrender, recognizing that we are fragile creatures dependent on divine love. The recurring motif of the flower symbolizes the human soul’s ability to overcome adversity, to grow and flourish even in the face of hardship, and to ultimately find its place in God’s eternal garden. The poem’s conclusion reinforces the idea that pride and self‑reliance can lead to spiritual ruin, while humility and acceptance of God’s will are the keys to eternal life.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “The Flower”
George Herbert skillfully employs a range of literary devices to enrich the poem’s meaning and create a lasting impression on the reader. Here’s an examination of some key techniques:
- Metaphor: The central metaphor of the poem is the comparison of the human soul to a flower. This metaphor is sustained throughout the poem, allowing Herbert to explore complex spiritual themes in a concrete and relatable way. For instance, the line “Who would have thought my shriveled heart / Could have recovered greenness?” uses the imagery of a dying and reviving flower to represent the speaker’s own spiritual state.
- Simile: Herbert uses similes to draw comparisons and enhance imagery. “Grief melts away / Like snow in May” is a beautiful example, illustrating the fleeting nature of sorrow and the arrival of joy with the changing seasons.
- Imagery: The poem is rich in vivid imagery, appealing to multiple senses. The descriptions of “fresh…returns” and “sweet and clean” evoke the beauty of spring, while the imagery of “shriveled heart” and “underground” conveys feelings of despair and spiritual barrenness.
- Personification: Herbert personifies nature and divine qualities. For example, the “frosts tribute of pleasure” imbues the frost with agency, suggesting a paradoxical beauty in hardship.
- Alliteration and Assonance: While subtle, alliteration and assonance contribute to the poem’s musicality. Notice the repetition of “g” sounds in “growing and groaning” and the assonance of “o” in “Lord of power.”
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “The Flower”
Beyond literary devices, Herbert masterfully utilizes poetic techniques to shape the poem’s form and meaning.
- Structure: “The Flower” consists of seven stanzas, each containing seven lines. This consistent structure lends a sense of order and balance to the poem, mirroring the cyclical nature of life and faith it explores.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows an ABABCCB rhyme scheme, creating a musical flow and linking ideas across lines. This regularity also contributes to the poem’s overall sense of harmony and balance.
- Enjambment: Herbert frequently employs enjambment, where a phrase or clause continues from one line to the next without punctuation. This technique creates a sense of momentum and flow, mirroring the continuous cycle of growth and renewal. For example, the lines “Oh that I once past changing were, / Fast in thy Paradise…” demonstrate enjambment, drawing the reader forward to complete the thought.
- Caesura: Pauses within lines (caesura) are used effectively to create emphasis and rhythm. These pauses allow the reader to reflect on the meaning of each line, enhancing the poem’s contemplative quality.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines encapsulate the central message of the poem and are valuable for discussions about faith, renewal, and the power of divine grace:
“These are thy wonders, Lord of love,
To make us see we are but flowers that glide;
Which when we once can find and prove,
Thou hast a garden for us where to bide.”
These lines beautifully express the idea that recognizing our dependence on God and accepting our place in His creation is the key to finding lasting peace and fulfillment. The image of the garden represents a state of eternal belonging and divine grace.