Chain of Pearls
Chain of Pearls - meaning Summary
Offering of Personal Sorrow
The speaker addresses a mother figure, offering personal grief as a crafted gift: a "chain of pearls" made from tears. Cosmic and material honors—stars, wealth, fame—are framed as external rewards or possessions mediated by the mother. By contrast the speaker’s sorrow is wholly private and presented as a sincere offering that elicits the mother’s compassionate response or grace. The poem contrasts public accolade with intimate devotion.
Read Complete AnalysesMother, I shall weave a chain of pearls for thy neck with my tears of sorrow. The stars have wrought their anklets of light to deck thy feet, but mine will hang upon thy breast. Wealth and fame come from thee and it is for thee to give or to withhold them. But this my sorrow is absolutely mine own, and when I bring it to thee as my offering thou rewardest me with thy grace.
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