The Clod and The Pebble

The Clod and the Pebble

By William Blake

“Love seeketh not itself to please,

Nor for itself hath any care,

But for another gives its ease,

And builds a Heaven in Hell's despair."

So sung a little Clod of Clay

Trodden with the cattle's feet,

But a Pebble of the brook

Warbled out these metres meet:

"Love seeketh only self to please,

To bind another to its delight,

Joys in another's loss of ease,

And builds a Hell in Heaven's despite"

1.    What does “The clod and the pebble” symbolize?

    This poem shows the two contrasting views of love from different person. From this poem, we can assume that there are two participants and maybe we can say that the Clod is a female and the Pebble is a male. If we see this poem from a context of sexual love, we see that the Clod shows love with the concept of giving that belongs to women but Pebble shows a selfish love which related with the concept of receiving mostly belongs to men.These points of views are true indeed as both of them can be experienced in the real life. When we fall in love, our relationship can be good (giving) or bad (selfish love). It is us who determines which relationship we are in.

2.    Identify 3 literary devices and how the enhances to the poem.

Contrast – The clod and the pebble. The clod is soft while the pebble is hard.

Metaphor – The clod and the pebble are used to describe different views of love. He uses a clod and a pebble as his metaphors for love. The clod signifies a selfless kind of heavenly love, while the pebble represents a stubborn and selfish kind of love. 

    Personification - Personification used in the poem to give us the idea between an innocent    love and a selfish love. Blake has given the clod and the pebble human traits such as ability to love.

3.    Are you the clod or the pebble? Substantiate your answer.

Angela

Personally, I think I am the clod. For me, love is a matter of giving. Even though we may face certain situation where demand us to be selfish, for me love is still a matter of giving. When we love someone, we are willing to sacrifice for the sake of love.

Kelly

      I think I am a cold because when I love someone, I will love truly and willing to sacrifice for the   one I love.