Batter My Heart Pear 1 Analysis Flashcards
“Batter My Heart”
Shocking that he is telling God what to do. Appealing for brutally violent treatment. Compares the heart to a fortress that must be broken into.
trochee starts the poem with intensity and force. It makes his urgent plea to God all the more powerful and desperate.
“three-personed God”
Direct address to God himself. Use of Christian theology: the trinity (God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit). Highlights his agonising personal struggle with his faith.
“for you”
This direct address can be referred to as an apostrophe: an address to a being that cannot respond. The words “you” or “your” are used 9 times in the poem which serves as a reminder that this is a prayer. He speaks directly to God but is not granted an answer
general line 1 analysis
Wants to submit to the will of God but his language is irreverent as he uses a command here. Expects the reader to understand the belief in belonging to God.
“knock”
Batter/knock contrast – one is the extreme of the other. Moves to a series of gentle verbs. “knock” suggests lightly knocking on someone’s door. A reminder that free will should be involved - a person should want to open the door to God.
“breathe, shine”
Idea of gently polishing something. Wants God to polish him up and make him perfect. Also links to the Holy Spirit.
“seek to mend”
Idea of healing – God has been trying to improve the speaker.
general line 2 analysis
This line serves as a reminder that God is all-powerful and the speaker is weak and in need of improving. Until this point, God has been persistent yet kind and gentle but the speaker now demands more.
