Today's episode examines the strategy of paradox in metaphysical poet George Herbert's "The Pulley." Paradox can be understood as the poet's use of contradiction within a poem to the reader to question a "common-sense" understanding and move toward a hidden or deeper truth. We resolve the paradox within a poem when we are able to reconcile the apparent contradiction and the truth lying underneath. In this poem, start by looking at the title and imagine it's use by God in weighting his decision on what gifts to give man. You can find a copy of this poem as well as a wealth of other resources related to poetry, writing, and the study of good literature at our website https://www.eliteliterarybookgroup.com/ .
