'The Windows' by George Herbert Summary.

Introduction

The Windows is a poem written by George Herbert, a renowned 17th-century English metaphysical poet, renowned for his deeply introspective and spiritually profound poems. Among his works, The Windows stands as a shining example of his ability to explore themes of faith, the human condition, and the quest for divine connection. This poem, written during a time of great social and religious upheaval in England, offers readers a glimpse into the complexities of faith and the human struggle to comprehend the divine. Let us look into the lines first and then summarise the whole poem to understand the depth of Herbert's contemplations.

The Text:

Lord, how can man preach thy eternal word?

    He is a brittle crazy glass;

Yet in thy temple thou dost him afford

    This glorious and transcendent place,

    To be a window, through thy grace.

But when thou dost anneal in glass thy story,

    Making thy life to shine within

The holy preachers, then the light and glory

    More reverend grows, and more doth win;

    Which else shows waterish, bleak, and thin.

Doctrine and life, colors and light, in one

    When they combine and mingle, bring

A strong regard and awe; but speech alone

    Doth vanish like a flaring thing,

    And in the ear, not conscience, ring.

Summary

In this poem, Herbert uses the metaphor of windows to explore the human soul's connection with divine grace. The poem portrays the soul as a dark and gloomy room, closed off from the light of God's grace, and the windows represent opportunities for the soul to receive that grace.

Throughout the poem, Herbert reflects on the barriers that obstruct the soul's communion with God. He likens these barriers to "cracks" and "dirt" that prevent the light of God's love from entering the soul's inner chamber. The poem emphasizes the soul's inherent need for divine grace and the transformative power of that grace in dispelling darkness and bringing illumination.

Herbert urges the reader to open the windows of their soul to receive God's grace, to let go of worldly distractions and embrace spiritual enlightenment. By doing so, the soul can be filled with divine light, and the human spirit can be uplifted and transformed.

Overall, The Windows by George Herbert explores the theme of seeking God's grace and the transformative power of divine illumination in the human soul. It encourages readers to open their hearts to receive spiritual enlightenment and experience a profound connection with the divine.

Analysis

Let us understand the poem a bit more by analysing the lines stanza by stanza.

Stanza 1

"Lord, how can man preach thy eternal word?

He is a brittle crazy glass;

Yet in thy temple thou dost him afford

This glorious and transcendent place,

To be a window, through thy grace."

Here, the speaker expresses a sense of inadequacy and fragility in human beings when it comes to preaching God's eternal word. The metaphor of a "brittle crazy glass" suggests that humans are fragile and imperfect, unable to fully comprehend or convey the vastness of God's wisdom and divine truths. Despite human frailty, the speaker acknowledges that God allows humans to play a significant role in spreading His word. They are granted the position of being a "window" in God's temple, a medium through which His grace and message can be shared with others.

Stanza 2

"But when thou dost anneal in glass thy story,

Making thy life to shine within

The holy preachers, then the light and glory

More reverend grows, and more doth win;

Which else shows waterish, bleak, and thin."

The speaker now reflects on how God empowers certain individuals to become more effective preachers. When God "anneals" or strengthens them like glass, making His life (the divine essence) shine within them, their preaching becomes more powerful and profound. The light and glory of God's message become more evident, contrasting with the feebleness and inadequacy of human attempts at preaching without His divine touch.

Stanza 3

"Doctrine and life, colors and light, in one

When they combine and mingle, bring

A strong regard and awe; but speech alone

Doth vanish like a flaring thing,

And in the ear, not conscience, ring."

The final lines emphasize the importance of aligning one's preaching with a righteous life. When doctrine (teachings) and life (actions) are in harmony, like colors and light combining, they bring a powerful impact on the listener, evoking "strong regard and awe." However, if speech alone lacks authenticity and doesn't align with righteous living, it is merely transient and fails to leave a lasting impression on the conscience.

In summary, these lines from The Windows explore the complexity of preaching God's word by using the metaphor of windows and glass. It conveys the idea that despite human limitations, God grants the opportunity for individuals to be vessels of His grace, and when they align their lives with His teachings, their preaching becomes more impactful and divine.

Themes

The Windows delves into several interconnected themes. Through the imagery of windows and glass, the poem explores spiritual illumination, divine grace, the human condition, and the challenges of conveying religious truths. Let's analyze the main themes in the poem:

1. Spiritual Illumination and Divine Grace:

The central theme of the poem revolves around spiritual illumination and divine grace. The soul is depicted as a dark and gloomy room in need of divine light. The windows symbolize opportunities for the soul to receive God's grace and enlightenment. The poem emphasizes the transformative power of divine grace, which dispels darkness and brings illumination to the soul. By opening oneself to God's grace, the soul can experience a profound connection with the divine and be filled with divine light.

2. Human Frailty and God's Empowerment:

The poem acknowledges the fragility and limitations of human beings in understanding and conveying God's eternal word. The speaker describes humanity as "brittle crazy glass," emphasizing human imperfections and inability to fully comprehend the vastness of God's wisdom. However, despite human frailty, God bestows a significant role on humans by allowing them to be "windows" through which His message can be spread. The poem highlights the juxtaposition of human weakness and divine empowerment.

3. The Importance of Authenticity in Preaching:

The poem discusses the significance of authenticity in religious preaching. When individuals are "annealed" or strengthened by God's grace and His life shines within them, their preaching becomes more effective and powerful. The poem suggests that true preaching should not only involve words but also align with righteous living and genuine adherence to God's teachings. Authenticity in preaching ensures that the message resonates with the listeners and leaves a lasting impact on their conscience.

4. Transformation and Reverence:

Through the metaphor of glass and light, the poem explores the process of transformation. The soul is transformed from a state of darkness to one of illumination when touched by divine grace. The poem also emphasizes the idea that when God's life and glory shine within holy preachers, their message becomes more revered and potent, evoking a sense of awe and admiration in the listeners.

5. The Role of God's Temple:

The poem references God's temple as a sacred space where the human soul can find a place to be a window to God's grace. This notion highlights the concept of seeking a deeper spiritual connection with the divine and using one's life as a vessel to reflect God's light to others.

In summary, The Windows by George Herbert delves into themes of spiritual illumination, divine grace, human limitations, authenticity in preaching, transformation, and the role of God's temple. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphors, the poem invites readers to contemplate their relationship with the divine and the significance of living a life aligned with God's teachings.

Literary Devices

In the poem The Windows, several literary devices are employed to enhance the imagery and convey the deeper meaning of the text. Here are some of the literary devices used:

(i) Metaphor: The entire poem uses the metaphor of windows and glass to represent the human soul and its connection to divine grace. Human beings are likened to "brittle crazy glass," highlighting their fragility and limitations, while God's temple is described as a place where humans can be "windows" through which divine grace can shine.

(ii) Imagery: The poem is rich in vivid imagery, especially in the description of the soul as a dark and gloomy room in need of illumination. The imagery of "anneal in glass thy story" and "making thy life shine within" evokes powerful visualizations of divine presence and transformation.

(iii) Contrast: The poet employs contrast to highlight the difference between human attempts at preaching and preaching when infused with divine grace. The contrast between "waterish, bleak, and thin" preaching without divine empowerment and the "light and glory" of empowered preaching serves to emphasize the significance of God's touch.

(iv) Personification: The lines "Making thy life to shine within / The holy preachers" personify "life" as something that can shine and reside within the preachers. This personification adds depth to the imagery and enhances the sense of divine presence.

(v) Enjambment: The lines use enjambment, where the sense of a sentence or phrase is carried over from one line to the next without a pause, to create a smooth and continuous flow of ideas. For example, "Doctrine and life, colors and light, in one / When they combine and mingle, bring."

These literary devices work together to heighten the poem's spiritual and contemplative atmosphere, allowing readers to explore complex themes and reflections on human frailty, divine grace, and the transformative power of authentic preaching.

Conclusion

In The Windows, George Herbert crafts a spiritually evocative and intellectually profound piece that delves into the depths of faith, human limitations, and the quest for divine connection. Through vivid metaphors and contemplative language, the poet encourages readers to recognise their imperfections, seek divine intervention, and humbly serve as windows for divine grace. This timeless work continues to resonate with readers, offering insight into the complexities of faith and the enduring human pursuit of a deeper connection with the divine.