Poetry · Chapter
The Bargain explained
The speaker offers all earthly possessions and honors for the Pearl of greatest price, ultimately realizing that only the gift of the heart suffices.
What happens
The speaker offers all earthly possessions and honors for the Pearl of greatest price, ultimately realizing that only the gift of the heart suffices.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This poem serves as the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where the protag…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Love and Sacrifice
The speaker surrenders all worldly treasures and finally the heart itself, a total self-offering for the divine Pearl.
- Faith and Doubt
The bargaining process reflects a testing of faith, culminating in the complete trust of giving the heart.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“What shall I give for thee, Thou Pearl of greatest price? For all the treasures I possess Would not suffice.”
What can I offer in exchange for you, most precious Pearl? All my wealth is not enough.
The speaker acknowledges the inadequacy of material riches to purchase the divine Pearl.
“Dear Lord, is that enough? Nay, not a thousandth part. Well, then, I have but one thing more: Take Thou my heart.”
Lord, is this sufficient? No, not even a fraction. Then I have only one thing left: accept my heart.
The climax of the poem where the speaker realizes only the heart's surrender is acceptable.
