I SURRENDER

Diane Tarabay-Rodriguez 

As a Christian, religious poems that talk about my personal beliefs immediately intrigue me. Don’t get me wrong, I am no expert on Christianity, but I have a clear understanding of the basic principles of my religion. Like most people, I find it difficult to understand many parts of the bible and George Herbert’s “The Altar” and “Easter Wings” made it no easier for me. Just like in many verses of the bible, I found myself pondering about how the words and the shape of the poems connection and what it all meant.

With simply looking at the title of the poem, “The Altar”, I immediately visualized the shape of the altar that was created with all the lines combined together. As I began to read the poem, I began to understand that the altar was not just ANY altar, it was a broken one. I came to the understanding that the poet was referring to himself as an altar. The altar is his body. It contains a heart and it has shed a lot of tears. In line 3, He states “whose parts are as thy hands did frame”. Through that line he is acknowledging himself as a creation of God. In the beginning, he shows that he is well aware of his imperfections. On lines 5 and 6, He states, “A HEART alone is simply a stone if”. Comes to show that a heart without God is nothing at all. He mentions this line on the most narrow part of the poem to visually show how one becomes so small without God. After, he makes the lines more wide and talks about wanting to be redeemed.

The poem, “Easter Wings”, also demonstrated a strong visual that was related to the poem. As I began to read it, I visualized a two pairs of wings. The way the poem went from wide to narrow and wide to narrow, allowed me to see the pair of wings in movement. Even the tone of my voice began to drop as the lines got thinner and it rose up as the lines widened. The poem contained a very strong religious meaning behind it. It talked about how god created man, “in wealth and store”(1), yet man still decides to fall in the hands of sin. Parts of the poem refer back to the beginning of the bible where Adam and Eve are created and given all that they need, yet still decide to go against God’s words. The poem takes a dark turn when it goes from wide to narrow but slowly rises when it reaches the most narrow parts of the poem. This is the poet’s way of showing is that no matter what mistakes people make, God always gives a chance of redemption.

After reading both poems, I felt that “The Alter” offers a more powerful Christian message than the poem, “Easter Wings”. There was a strong personal connection in the poem “The Altar”. I felt a personal connection to it because it talked about a broken person that is accepting God as their creator.

The Resurrection of Faith

The Christian message is often times shared through poetry and other forms of art; some would even say that the Bible is poetry itself. Two of the most prominent poems that share the Christian message are “The Altar” and “Easter Wings”, both written by George Herbert. Both are great poems that offer a powerful Christian message, but through mirroring the structure of the poem with the content, Herbert is able to convey a more profound message of Christianity in “Easter Wings”. Through the shape of the poem, Herbert is able to share the journey Jesus, as well as human kind. 

In “Easter Wings” the relationship between the content of the poem and the structure of wings is obvious at first glance. The poem is made to replicate the shape of wings, more specifically, angel wings, which creates a tie between the title and the poem itself. The easter wings is a reference to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. This relationship is seen throughout the entirety of the poem, and is made most obvious that the movement of the poems shape reflects the actions portrayed in the poem. In the third line of the poem, it is said that the Lord, or Jesus, is “decaying more and more”, referencing his crucifixion. This image of decay is carried over from the content of the poem to the shape of the poem, as the reader can see the way the lines start to shorten, thinning the the look of the poem itself. The opposite effect is also seen in the poem. For example, the expansion of the lines in the first stanza is seen as after the line “O let me rise” (line 7). This expansion of the lines is meant to reflect the resurrection of Jesus. 

“Easter Wings” is about the resurrection of Jesus, but it is also about the true meaning of Christianity. If you replace the presence of Jesus with the presence of anyone who has strayed away from the word of God, you can see a new yet similar story as before. The poem is about celebrating those who have been lost and then found; those who have questioned their beliefs, perhaps, but came back to God and the church. The image of straying is seen in the same line that represents the crucifixion of Jesus, but this time the image of decaying is meant to represent the sins that cause one to wander from the path of God. The image of ones return to God is seen in lines seven and eight, when Herbert writes “O let me rise/ as larks harmoniously”. This line is meant to create a picture of those who strayed from God, returning to him as they sing his praise and are welcomed back. “Easter Wings” shows that just like Jesus, some may fall, but upon their return, the church will honor them and their journey. 

Although “The Altar” shares a strong Christian message, “Easter Wings” creates a more powerful one. This is done by creating a pattern with the poem that matches the content of the poem. The literal image of wings that is created by the poem acts as a map for both Jesus’s journey and the resurfacing of Christian faith in those who stray.

Sophia Wallace-Boyd

I Have Not Gone to Church in Years

‘“In creating and exact match between the shape of the poem and its theme, George Herbert’s “Easter Wings” offers a more powerful Christian Message than his other poem, “The Altar”’

 

Why?

 

Hear me out, I know that this is for the sake of class assignments and debate and thinking exercises and whatnot, but why? I read this question, and initially had nothing. I slept on it, woke up, still have nothing. Pondered before class, and I still have nothing. I genuinely wonder what others have to say.

There is an interesting footnote for The Altar that reads, “Its placement suggests that all of the following poems are offered as “sacrifices” on the symbolic altar constituted here”. “The following poems” being the two poems in question: The Altar and Easter Wings. Specifically, for The Altar, my textual evidence for showing “more” praise lies mostly in the footnotes explaining the poem’s references such as on lines 4 and 14. Fittingly, both references (coming from Exodus and Luke respectively) are about stones. The poem is titled The Altar, is in the shape of an altar, and has references to stones in the bible, and stones are great building material for altars. To me, this poem is about strength in the faith of God and pledging love and allegiance to God:

 

That,  if  I  chance  to  hold  my  peace,

These stones to praise thee may not cease.

Oh   let   thy   blessed   SACRIFICE   be   mine,

                 And    sanctify    this    ALTAR    to    be    thine. (ll. 13-16)

 

If the speaker were to hold their peace, they would wish that these stones do not and praise God. Then, the speaker takes ownership over the sacrifice. This sacrifice could be in reference to the constant mentioning of heart, symbolically meaning the speaker’s life, love, and praise. The speaker is willing to sacrifice themselves, which brings me back to the footnote saying that these poems are a sacrifice. The opening of the poem talks of an altar which then leads into, “Made of a heart, and cemented with tears” (l.2). All of this leads me to believe that this altar is the heart of the speaker, or in other words, the speaker is the altar, and the end of the poem is asking God to sanctify this altar. The speaker wants to be free from sin and united forever with Christianity.

 

It is hard to say whether The Altar is any better or worse than Easter Wings. Easter Wings, rightfully so, alludes to flight and ascension with God. The poem opens with the dichotomy of wealthy and poor, gluttonous and abstemious. There is a clear fall from grace seen within the first 5 lines, but then the turn begins. The speaker has fallen but wishes to be risen. Now, I considered the poem being told through the point-of-view of Jesus because the similarities are there, but ultimately I decided to look past that and instead interpret the poem as wishing to follow the steps of Jesus or rather praise how Jesus died and rose again. This is the poem about ascension into Heaven which inherently implies outstanding religious faith. But again, I am torn between looking at this from the point of view of Jesus and then as someone who is a devout follower. I believe the argument could be made for either one, and of course, for academic purposes I would choose a side, but for blog post purposes, I can be conflicted.

 

Conflicted as I am with the initial question all the way at the top of this post. I spent so much time rationalizing an argument for The Altar because on the surface, I believe it to be less obvious of a piece of appraisal for the Christian faith. Easter Wings, being in the shape of two birds flying up, mention birds, flight, falling, rising, and having Easter in the title and referenced in the poem makes much more obvious sense to say it praises Christianity. But I think there is something to be said about both. They try to do different things but have the same goal. So, I can confidently say that I am on the fence with which poem has a much more powerful Christian message. I believe one is much more obvious in its message, but that does not mean that it is necessarily better.

—Joseph Rojas

within the meaning.

By: Jocelyn Lemus

The creation of poems takes a large space within its true meaning. We must dive in, in order to learn how to swim, it is not just a matter of whether I can just dip my toes into cold water. As reading George Herbert’s poems of “The Altar” and “Easter Wings” my brain had a major debate of which poem demonstrates a more power Christian message. Being able to grab the topic of religion into a master piece of  a poem must have been a challenge for Herbert. Certain topics can become extremely severe and delicate when it can be controversy. I found myself deeply analyzing both poems and coming into conclusion that the two drive Christianity in a different perspective. One takes the religion into a church, while the other one upon the sky. This was extremely important for me because both poems strive a similar, but also different point of views

To begin with, George Herbert’s poem of “The Altar” drives us into a meaningful theme of Christianity from the perspective within an altar. If one focuses extremely closely to how Herbert decided to shape the poem, it is literally the shape of an altar. This talks so much about his imagination and how he created certain details to his poem. An altar is a symbol of a Christian set of table that holds the bread and wine for those who confess. This becomes important because we notice that Herbert begins his poem, “a broken ALTAR”(1). This tiny piece he decided to begin his poem with symbolizes true meaning of his perspective Christianity.  Initially, when we compare the shape of his poem to his first phrase, they seem to give different perspectives. Why is the altar broken inside the poem, but not abstractly? Not only that, but we can also notice how he capitalizes the word “ALTAR” and how the connotation of the word shifts from something soft to something loud. It is as if the poem was shouting at us or as if the religion of Christianity decides to crawl under our skin because it is described as something broke. To continue, another phrase that shows how this poem touches the topic of Christianity was when he mentions, “To praise thy name”(12). This is also about religion because in an altar God is being worshiped and we are being renewed in a religion sense. Herbert’s poem “The Altar” does give a message within the Christian religion.

Furthermore, George Herbert’s poem “Easter Wings” also demonstrates a powerful theme when talking about the Christian religion. First of all, just like his other poem, I found myself questioning the way he decided to shape this piece. As I analyzed its shape after I read the poem, I found myself thinking of either two pairs of wings or two pairs of hourglasses. Herbert begins this poem with a connection that majority of all know about. He begins his poem with the connection from the bible, the piece about Adam and Eve. When he mentions, ” createdst man in wealth and store”(1), this implies how God created them of not actual wealth and not a store but out of nourishment within the kingdom they were offered to stay in. He continues with, “foolishly”(2), which becomes an important term because this explains how the bible describes betrayal within Adam and Eve. The way they were not grateful with what they had, and ended up biting the fruit from the forbidden tree. Herbert continues his poem by elaborating more into detail of the continuation of the tragedy by adding, “with sicknesses and shame. / Thou didst so punish sinne” (12-13). The ideas Herbert keeps implementing into his piece becomes a major part of the Christian religion. This is significant because he uses lots of strategies in his poem in order to guide the connection within its religious theme. One strategy I saw that becomes meaningful was how he mentions, “the flight in me” (10/20) two times and they are in the endings of each stanza. This is important because he really wants the reader to take into consideration that he is implementing a deeper thought with who reads the piece. Whether it is me or him or even you. Therefore, this poem was able to grab the Christian religion and shape it.

So out of both poems, I must say they are both extraordinary in a way where he shapes and connects them from one line to another. However, the one poem that digs deeper into the sense of the Christian religion was “Easter Wings” because in this poem, Herbert was able to make a connection within the pages of the bible. Not only that because he was able to grab those sheets and make it his as he was writing his poem. It takes a big step to include allusions that create a major connection inside the poem. Herbert’s “Easter Wings” was able to grab the biggest story of the bible of Adam and Eve and shape it into the biggest ideas of Christianity. Therefore, I believe that the poem “Easter Wings” sends more of a Christian message.

Spread Your Wings and Fly

By Alex Luna

George Herberts “The Altar” and “Easter Wings” are two poems that heavily and clearly deal with matters of Christianity. Where they differ slightly is in their exact messages and purposes for these particular pieces. “The Altar” seems to focus on the crucifixion while “Easter Wings” focuses on overcoming sin and hardship. Both utilize imagery techniques to convey their messages, but it is “Easter Wings” that captures the true essence of what Christianity preaches. 

“The Altar” recreates the crucifixion through the poem, especially when looking at the way the poem literally looks similar to a cross. The poem creates an image of a cross and then colors it in with brutal and depressing images. Lines like “Made of a heart and cemented with tears” bring about connotations of Christ on the cross, “made of a heart” meaning filled with nothing but love for humanity, and “cemented with tears” crying over the brutality of the crucifixion. As the poem moves into the next few lines, the poem itself forms an image of the main support of the cross, where Jesus’ body was strung up. The poem reads “Wherefore each part of my hard heart meets in this frame,” again we see images of Jesus suffering on the cross, further cemented by the line “oh let thy blessed sacrifice be mine.” This piece, in particular, focuses solely on the crucifixion and matters of sacrifice, in which Jesus was tortured to death in order to cleanse humanity of its sins. The poem has a more depressing tone, with its violent connotations as well as the somber image of Christ dying for humanity. It makes the reader feel uneasy, and a sense of guilt is also established, feeling responsible for causing such a horrible occurrence. While the Christian message is clear, it also represents the darker side of it. 

“Easter Wings” takes it in a different direction. Unlike “The Altar” it takes the shape of actual wings when looked at horizontally. Immediately this conjures up images of angels, possibly heavenly connotations as well. When taking a look at the actual lines of the poem, it’s clear that the poem discusses one of Christianity’s most fundamental messages: that of forgiving oneself and rising above past mistakes/hardships. The first few lines imply a sense of decay as the form of the poem transcends downwards. The lines of the poem also imply a sense of “falling” by reading “decaying more and more until he became most poor.” Reading this line with the image of the poem literally taking you down with it implies that self-guilt, that hole we all fall into at some point, whether it be depression or another hardship. The tone is definitely bleak, almost hopeless, until the following line immediately rises, as the speaker declares “O let me rise.” We see that slowly the wings begin to form. Much like an actual person, beginning to rise above their hardships. Then the speaker says, or image, says “then shall the fall further the flight in me.” Again, we get these images of a bird rising, as the poem itself gains its wings and rises. It is a metaphor for the human tendency to overcome obstacles, to forgive oneself and start anew. 

While these poems were written many moons ago, they are still culturally relevant. Christianity and most religions have been plagued over the years, mostly due to loads of corruption. A common factor seems to be on the misinterpretations of the messages Christianity intended for. Some so-called believers may preach the use of fear to convert people to Christianity, emphasizing the torture Christ endured and the idea of hell to scare people. “The Altar” is a great poem, but perhaps it may be construed and manipulated in this way, which is why it may not be the best Christian message. “Easter Wings” on the other hand preaches not just a fundamental concept of Christianity, but other religions. That idea of forgiveness of oneself and others, letting go of past mistakes and hardship to rise up and create a better version of oneself. To spread your wings, and fly towards a better state. 

Clean Christians Go to Heaven

Sofia Garcia

George Herbert incorporates art into his poems “Easter Wings” and “The Altar”. With the text, he creates images. “Easter Wings” when it is on its side, it looks like a pair of angel wings. “The Altar” looks like the one we would see at a Catholic church for example.

Both of these poems sounded like prayers first of all. “The Altar” starts with in line one, “A broken ALTAR, Lord” (line 1).The first word in “Easter Wings” is “Lord”. To my experience, one of the first words in a prayer is “Lord”. This already indicates to me that these poems carry a Christian message.

The altar in the poem “The Altar” represents the speaker’s heart that they have prepared for the Lord. It is not a perfect heart according to the speaker but, “thy blessed SACRIFICE be mine”(line 15). As a practicing Catholic I am told at church that we have to prepare our souls for when we go to heaven (as best we can because we are human, and we make mistakes).

In “Easter Wings” all humans are sinners no matter how wealthy they are. Lines five through nine talk about how Easter is a time for redemption of ones sins. Easter is Jesus’s resurrection from the dead which means he is going to save his people from sin alluding to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden when the snake tricked Eve into eating the apple and then give some to Adam which is known as the “original sin”. Because it is the time when people redeem their sins it is a time of joy. If one does not have sins one gets to go to heaven (I mean who wouldn’t be excited for that).

I am undecided about which poem offers a more powerful Christian message. Ultimately, both touch upon going to heaven. Going to heaven is the ultimate goal of a Christian. Both poems express the same idea, but I don’t feels like one is better than the other at the moment.

Worthiness of the Lord

Kevin Vargas

George Helbert, a highly faithful Christian, wrote two poems titled “The Altar” and “Easter Wings.” In “The Altar” the speaker is talking to the lord through an implied broken Altar while in “Easter Wings” the speaker is directs his attention to the lord directly. “The Altar” creates a stronger poem due to the better uses of its thematic development. 

A man kneeled downed as if he punched the floor. Readers can visualize a terrified and remorse man in “The Altar” as this depressed state is felt through the whole poem. The rhymed couplet upon the first to fourth line explains the care and work upon the altar. Rears, as the realization of the broken stone, tears, as the realization, frame, as the displayed work, and same as the uniqueness of the altar. This format of rhyming couplets is held throughout the poem. Two couplets are followed in chunks of four lines. Additionally, in each chunk, the diction and thoughts of the speaker changes. For example, the introduction featured the speaker in remorse, followed by reflection, then through disappointment as the speaker questions the level of worship being worthy, and finally a worthy follower.  

“Easter Wings” contains a modified version of his rhyme schemes. Instead of using a direct sequential rhyme, a rhyme is used every other line. It enabled Herbert to produce a different kind of experience in which the tone of the poem is constant. The meter can be easily spotted in comparison to “The Altar.” Repeated low then true accents are more concise.  

                  Till he became 
 

                        Most poore: 
 

                        With thee (lines four through six) 

The tone of hope is felt with “victory” and “affliction shall advance the flight in me.” Also to note is the second stanza where the speaker talks about their sickness and their old age. This is important because the entire poem itself looks like a minute sand timer. In other words, the speaker is running out of time.  

Is an existential crisis more elaborate than of a remorse worshiper? “Easter Wings” may contain universal thought of pleading for more or better use of time. In theory, it is what most individuals would want. However, It is a different scenario to plead to be worthy of the lord through the single symbolical object of a broken altar. I say, the progress of thought is more effective in providing readers a better christian message about moving on with their lives when the lord is upon them.

That is what I find more unique and of a stronger essence in the two poems. (The Altar wins for me)

The Redemption of Paradise

Though both poems offer shaped verses, a wealth of poetic elements, and a distinct theme of Christianity, I believe that George Herbert’s Easter Wings offers a more powerful Christian message than his other poem, The Altar. While the latter draws an image of an altar built of metaphorical hearts, the prior takes readers back to the creation of mankind. In line 1, the author states that the Lord “createdst man in wealth and store” and this phrase seems to refer to the story of Adam and Eve, the first humans. Adam and Eve were allowed to live life in the Garden of Eden, a beautiful, perfect paradise created by God for mankind, but were expelled when they ate the forbidden fruit. By incorporating this story of Adam and Eve, Herbert paints a more complete image of God, as well as the Garden of Eden.

In the second half of the first stanza, the speaker seeks to redeem himself from Adam’s mistake and expresses his wishes to “rise” with the Lord, just as Jesus had risen from his grave on Easter day. This desire for redemption is further highlighted by the alliteration used by the author in line 10 (fall further the flight) as well as the rhyming “shall the fall”. In addition to the fact that the two stanzas have been fashioned into the shape of two wings, it is evident these wings symbolize redemption in this poem. Because the speaker claims that mankind has “fallen” as a result of Adam’s sin, it makes sense that the author needs wings to fly back up. This is further evident in the last two lines, where the speaker displays his desire to “imp” or attach his own wings to Jesus’s, as he rises on Easter day. It is also important to consider the two stanzas comparatively. Each stanza starts off with a negative, almost bleak tone but by the end of each stanza, the tone becomes optimistic and full of plea. Because both stanza’s starts with the result of Adam’s sins, they give the effect of “rising”, consistent with this idea of resurrection. This plea, as well as the speaker’s changing tone, paint a clear image of the resurrection of Christ and allow readers to perceive the speaker’s deep desire for both salvation and redemption. Because to me, Christianity is a religion of repenting sins, and redemption, I believe that the ideas and imagery present in Herbert’s Easter Wings provides a more powerful Christian message than his other poem, The Altar.

From Image to Action

In my eyes, Herbert’s “Easter Wings” offers a substantially more powerful message than “The Altar.” The strength of this poem builds upon three primary elements. These work together to offer an insightful message that builds upon the practices of the time. The element here is the recognition of the fall of man. The speaker recognizes where man began, in the wealth and beauty of the Garden of Eden, and how, through his own foolishness, he is now ‘poor’ in god. This element places sin upon all of mankind, a shared fate with only one path to redemption.

The second element of this poem is that path to redemption. A key feature christianity during the 16th century, during the reformation, was direct communion with god. This is reflected in the poem through Herbert’s discussion of taking flight with god. The use of a common term, ‘Imp,’ helps to offer an image of what a devoted christian must do. The must imp their wings with god’s power, illustrating that they need the power and support of god to take flight and be save. The third element is the physical shape of the poem. Once turned 90 degrees in either direction, the poem becomes two sets of wings. Wings are a relatively obvious symbols of angels and salvation. Again, this points to the hope god can offer of salvation.

The message of this poem is one of action. It shows the reader, presumably devout christians, a path to salvation. Compared with another Herbert poem, ‘The Altar,’ this poem is practically a road map. A quick read of this poem reflects the ideas of the reformation church towards salvation. That’s a powerful message.

Two Sides of Christianity

Both “Easter Wings” and “The Altar” by George Herbert offer compelling examples of how shapes created by words on a page can advance poetic meaning. In “The Altar,” a devout, yet afflicted being uses his faith in God to build a place of worship. Through his suffering, he is able to become closer to the Lord. This echoes a fundamental tenet of Christianity; however, I argue that “Easter Wings,” through its shape, focuses more on the aspect of salvation and therefore delivers a more powerful message on Christianity.

Upon first glance, the surge and swell of Herbert’s stanzas are easy to spot. Used to mirror meaning, the shape of the poem rises and falls like the wings of a bird. This aspect has many important implications. Firstly, The indentation of the stanza grows as the speaker solidifies his faith. The two words in line 6 turn to four in line 7 (“O let me rise”). The same transition occurs in lines 16 to 17. The repetition of pattern I believe alludes to the idea of rebirth. Second, the entire poem creates a metaphorical parallel to a bird. He speaks of “wings,” his ability to “sing,” and rising like a “lark.” This imagery somewhat connects the speaker to the Biblical dove of peace. Traditionally, the dove is used to show the end of suffering. It is the Holy Spirit that remains close to whomever keeps their faith in God.

By echoing the aspects of Christianity that relate to God’s promises of peace and rebirth, “Easter Wings” offers a more compelling advancement of Christianity. While “The Altar” focuses on using pain and suffering to become closer to God, it fails to mention the goodness of God and the promises of an afterlife free of agony.