'He Sendeth Sun, He Sendeth Shower' by Sarah Flower Adams
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He sendeth sun, he sendeth shower,
Alike they're needful for the flower:
And joys and tears alike are sent
To give the soul fit nourishment.
As comes to me or cloud or sun,
Father! thy will, not mine, be done!
Can loving children e'er reprove
With murmurs whom they trust and love?
Creator! I would ever be
A trusting, loving child to thee:
As comes to me or cloud or sun,
Father! thy will, not mine, be done!
Oh, ne'er will I at life repine:
Enough that thou hast made it mine.
When falls the shadow cold of death
I yet will sing, with parting breath,
As comes to me or shade or sun,
Father! thy will, not mine, be done!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"He Sendeth Sun, He Sendeth Shower" by Sarah Flower Adams - A Literary Criticism
Are you a lover of poetry? Or do you find it hard to appreciate the art? Either way, Sarah Flower Adams' masterpiece "He Sendeth Sun, He Sendeth Shower" is a poem that will leave you in awe. Written in the 19th century, this poem speaks to the human experience of hope and despair, faith and doubt, and the ever-changing seasons of life.
Background
Sarah Flower Adams was born in England in 1805 and became a poet, singer, and hymn writer. She is best known for her hymn "Nearer, My God, to Thee," which was played by the band on the Titanic as the ship sank. "He Sendeth Sun, He Sendeth Shower" was written in 1841 and first published in a small volume of her poems in 1844.
The poem is a reflection on God's providence in nature and in human life. It draws from biblical imagery and language to express its message. The poem is composed of three stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of God's providence.
Literary Analysis
Let's dive deeper into each stanza and explore the literary devices and themes that Adams employs.
Stanza 1
He sendeth sun, He sendeth shower,
Alike they’re needful for the flower:
And joys and tears alike are sent
To give the soul fit nourishment.
As comes to me or cloud or sun,
Father! Thy will, not mine, be done.
The opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Adams uses the metaphor of the sun and shower to represent the good and bad times in life. The flower, in turn, represents the human soul that needs both to thrive. The use of the word "alike" emphasizes the importance of both sun and shower, indicating that both joy and sorrow are necessary for spiritual growth.
Adams also introduces the theme of surrender to God's will, which appears again in the last line of the stanza. This theme is central to the poem's message and echoes the Christian concept of submission to God's providence.
Stanza 2
I know He wills not sin or woe;
He sends but what my soul will bear:
He knows how much the heart can bear,
And holds the balance true and fair.
As comes to me or cloud or sun,
Father! Thy will, not mine, be done.
The second stanza expands on the theme of God's providence and brings in the idea of suffering. Adams asserts that God does not will sin or woe but allows them for our spiritual growth. She presents a view of suffering as a test of faith and character, rather than an arbitrary punishment. The line "He knows how much the heart can bear" is both comforting and challenging, as it implies that we are capable of bearing more than we think.
The stanza also employs the repetition of the final line, emphasizing the importance of surrender to God's will.
Stanza 3
Too oft I murmur at His will,
When dark my road, for lack of skill
His rod and staff my comfort still,
I know He suffers naught to spill,
As comes to me or cloud or sun,
Father! Thy will, not mine, be done.
The final stanza is more personal, as the speaker reflects on her own struggles with faith and trust. She admits to murmuring, or complaining, when things become difficult. However, she recognizes the value of God's guidance, using the metaphor of a shepherd's rod and staff to represent protection and guidance.
Adams reiterates the idea that God does not allow more than we can handle, using the phrase "suffers naught to spill." The final line of the poem brings it full circle, returning to the theme of surrender to God's will.
Literary Devices
Throughout the poem, Adams employs several literary devices to enhance its meaning and effect.
- Metaphor: The metaphor of sun and shower represents the good and bad times in life, while the flower represents the human soul.
- Repetition: The final line of each stanza is repeated, emphasizing the importance of surrender to God's will.
- Biblical imagery and language: Adams uses language and imagery from the Bible, such as "rod and staff," to give the poem a spiritual dimension.
- Personification: The use of personification, such as "Father!" and "His rod and staff," gives the poem a personal and intimate tone.
Themes
The poem explores several themes, including:
- God's providence: The poem asserts that God is in control of all things, including the good and bad times in life.
- Surrender to God's will: The repeated phrase "Father! Thy will, not mine, be done" emphasizes the importance of surrender to God's plan for our lives.
- Suffering and spiritual growth: The poem presents suffering as a test of faith and character, necessary for spiritual growth.
- The human experience: The metaphor of sun and shower, and the use of personal language, make the poem relatable to human experience.
Interpretation
What can we learn from "He Sendeth Sun, He Sendeth Shower"? The poem offers a view of life that is both challenging and comforting. It challenges us to surrender to God's will, even in times of difficulty, and to trust in His plan for our lives. It also comforts us with the assurance that God knows how much we can handle and that our suffering has a purpose.
The poem's message is not limited to a specific religious tradition, as the concept of surrender to a higher power can be found in many spiritual traditions. It speaks to the universal human experience of hope and despair, faith and doubt, and the ever-changing seasons of life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "He Sendeth Sun, He Sendeth Shower" is a masterpiece of poetic artistry and spiritual wisdom. Sarah Flower Adams' use of metaphor, repetition, and biblical language give the poem a timeless quality that speaks to the human experience across cultures and generations. The poem challenges us to surrender to God's will and to trust in His providence, even in times of suffering. At the same time, it comforts us with the assurance that our suffering has a purpose and that God knows how much we can handle. Whether you are a lover of poetry or a skeptic, this poem is sure to leave you in awe.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry He Sendeth Sun, He Sendeth Shower: A Masterpiece of Nature and Spirituality
Sarah Flower Adams, the renowned English poetess, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with her timeless works. Among her many masterpieces, "He Sendeth Sun, He Sendeth Shower" stands out as a quintessential representation of her poetic genius. This poem is a beautiful ode to nature and spirituality, which captures the essence of life's cyclical nature and the divine forces that govern it. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's themes, structure, and literary devices to understand its significance and relevance in today's world.
The poem's title itself is a testament to its central theme, which is the cyclical nature of life. The sun and the shower are two natural phenomena that are essential for the growth and sustenance of life on earth. The sun provides warmth and light, while the shower brings nourishment and vitality to the soil. The poetess uses these two elements as metaphors to represent the different phases of life, which are characterized by joy and sorrow, growth and decay, and birth and death. The poem's opening lines set the tone for this cyclical nature of life, as the poetess writes:
"He sendeth sun, he sendeth shower, Alike they're needful for the flower; And joys and tears alike are sent To give the soul fit nourishment."
These lines establish the poem's central theme and introduce the reader to the poetess's unique style of blending nature and spirituality. The use of the word "alike" emphasizes the importance of both joy and sorrow in life, as they are necessary for the soul's growth and nourishment. The poetess's belief in the divine forces that govern life is evident in the phrase "He sendeth," which suggests that these natural phenomena are not random but are part of a larger plan.
The poem's structure is simple yet effective, with four stanzas of four lines each. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easy to remember. The use of iambic tetrameter, with four stressed syllables per line, adds to the poem's rhythm and flow. The poetess's use of repetition, particularly in the first and last lines of each stanza, reinforces the poem's central theme and creates a sense of unity and coherence. For example, the repetition of the phrase "He sendeth" in the first and last lines of each stanza emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and the divine forces that govern it.
The poem's literary devices are also worth noting, as they add depth and richness to the poem's meaning. The use of metaphor, as mentioned earlier, is one of the most prominent literary devices in the poem. The sun and the shower are used as metaphors to represent the different phases of life, while the flower represents the soul. The poetess's use of personification, particularly in the second stanza, where she writes, "The bud will blossom into bloom, / And Christ gives burthen to the gnome," adds a spiritual dimension to the poem and suggests that the divine forces are at work in the natural world.
The poem's imagery is also noteworthy, as it creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind and enhances the poem's emotional impact. The use of contrasting images, such as "joys and tears," "sun and shower," and "birth and death," creates a sense of balance and harmony in the poem. The image of the "flower" is particularly powerful, as it represents the soul's journey through life and its need for both joy and sorrow to grow and flourish. The poetess's use of sensory imagery, such as "warmth and light" and "nourishment and vitality," appeals to the reader's senses and creates a visceral connection with the poem's themes.
The poem's spiritual dimension is perhaps its most significant aspect, as it reflects the poetess's deep faith in God and the divine forces that govern life. The use of religious imagery, such as "Christ" and "soul," suggests that the poem is not just about nature but also about the spiritual journey of the soul. The poetess's belief in the divine plan is evident in the phrase "He sendeth," which suggests that everything that happens in life is part of a larger plan. The poem's final stanza, which reads:
"He sendeth grief, he sendeth grace; He mixes up the night and day; 'Tis well for us to know our place, And learn to labour and to pray."
emphasizes the importance of humility, faith, and prayer in navigating life's ups and downs. The use of the phrase "grief and grace" suggests that even in the darkest moments of life, there is always hope and redemption.
In conclusion, "He Sendeth Sun, He Sendeth Shower" is a masterpiece of nature and spirituality that captures the essence of life's cyclical nature and the divine forces that govern it. The poem's themes of joy and sorrow, growth and decay, and birth and death are universal and timeless, and its relevance in today's world is undeniable. The poetess's unique style of blending nature and spirituality, her use of literary devices, and her deep faith in God make this poem a true masterpiece of English literature.
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