The Pearl · Theme
Human Limitation and Submission
How The Pearl develops Human Limitation and Submission.
The narrator's repeated attempts to understand or cross the river are thwarted, underscoring the theme that humans must accept their earthly limits and submit to God's sovereign will rather than strive for what is beyond them.
Where it surfaces
- III
The Dreamer's inability to cross the river and his timidity in the face of the divine landscape highlight human limitations.
- Chapter VI
The Maiden instructs the Dreamer to accept his human limitations and submit to God's judgment, rather than questioning it.
- IX
The Dreamer's doubt reflects human limitation in understanding God's ways, while the Maiden's explanation calls for submission to God's will.
- Chapter X: The Parable of the Vineyard
The Dreamer's questioning of God's justice illustrates human limitation in understanding divine ways, and the need to submit to God's will.
- XI
The Dreamer's questioning reflects human inability to fully comprehend divine justice, and the need to submit to God's will.
- XVI
The Dreamer is told he is too weak to enter the heavenly city, highlighting human limitations and the need for submission to divine will.
- Chapter XX
The Dreamer's rash attempt to cross the river is thwarted, and he learns to submit to the Prince's will, acknowledging the limits of human endeavor.