Easter Wings : Summary
Easter Wings is a notable literary work by George Herbert. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Easter Wings.
Summary
The poem is a prayer to God. The speaker talks about how human beings were first created by God with many blessings, wealth, and happiness. But humans (Adam and Eve) lost everything because of their foolishness and sin. Because of sin, humans became weak and poor in spirit.
The speaker feels that his own life has also been full of sadness, illness, and shame since childhood. He feels small, weak, and helpless. But he believes that God can make him rise again, just like a lark (bird). Lark birds fly high in the sky and sing beautifully. The poem connects this rising with Easter, the day when Christians celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The speaker says that, just as Jesus rose from death, he too wants to rise from his sin and suffering.
The poet uses the shape of wings to show this idea: the lines first become small (showing human fall and weakness) and then grow big again (showing rising and strength through God). The speaker also says that if he can fix his wing with God’s, he can fly again from his sin and suffering. It means if he can join himself with God’s strength, he can rise higher.