Break of Day by John Donne (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions)

 

Break of Day

by John Donne

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions) 

Break of Day

As due by many titles I resign

Myself to Thee, O God; one is, Thy creature,

And made Thy servant; time’s another creature,

To Thee it hath no being, nor to mine;

The world’s a place of punishment, and Thou

A place of refuge, O then come;

But, if no refuge, stay, and I will run

To other, and more fearful ways, till Thou

Call me to Thee; since Thy laws command

That to Thy temple my first-fruits I bring,

And, to adore Thee, bend my knee,

So, at Thy temple-door I stand;

Teach me to pray, and pray Thou me;

That I may neither go astray, nor Thee.

 

Summary

The poem "Break of Day" is a short devotional poem in which the speaker addresses God directly at the start of a new day. The speaker acknowledges that he owes many things to God and surrenders himself fully to Him. He recognizes that he is God’s creation and servant, and that time itself belongs to God and has no independent existence outside of Him.

The speaker reflects that the world is a place of punishment or suffering, whereas God’s presence offers refuge and safety. He asks God to come to him as a source of protection. However, if God does not come, the speaker says he will seek other ways, even fearful ones, until God calls him.

The poem continues with the speaker saying that God’s laws require him to dedicate his “first-fruits” — the earliest and best part of his day — to God’s temple, symbolizing worship and devotion. So, the speaker stands at the door of God’s temple, ready to worship and pray.

Finally, the speaker asks God to teach him how to pray and to pray within him, so that he may neither stray from the right path nor lose God’s presence.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

Original:

As due by many titles I resign

Paraphrase:

Because I owe You in many ways, I give myself to You.

 

Original:

Myself to Thee, O God; one is, Thy creature,

Paraphrase:

I give myself to You, God, because I am Your creation.

 

Original:

And made Thy servant; time’s another creature,

Paraphrase:

I am also Your servant; even time itself is Your creation.

 

Original:

To Thee it hath no being, nor to mine;

Paraphrase:

Time doesn’t truly belong to You or me—it depends on You.

 

Original:

The world’s a place of punishment, and Thou

Paraphrase:

The world is a place where we face suffering and consequences, but You—

 

Original:

A place of refuge, O then come;

Paraphrase:

Are my safe refuge, so please come to me.

 

Original:

But, if no refuge, stay, and I will run

Paraphrase:

But if You do not provide refuge, then stay away, and I will seek—

 

Original:

To other, and more fearful ways, till Thou

Paraphrase:

Other, more frightening paths until You call me back.

 

Original:

Call me to Thee; since Thy laws command

Paraphrase:

Call me to Yourself, because Your laws require

 

Original:

That to Thy temple my first-fruits I bring,

Paraphrase:

That I dedicate the first and best part of my day to Your temple (worship).

 

Original:

And, to adore Thee, bend my knee,

Paraphrase:

And I must bow down to worship You.

 

Original:

So, at Thy temple-door I stand;

Paraphrase:

So here I am, standing at the entrance of Your temple.

 

Original:

Teach me to pray, and pray Thou me;

Paraphrase:

Teach me how to pray, and pray within me, God.

 

Original:

That I may neither go astray, nor Thee.

Paraphrase:

So that I neither lose my way nor lose You.

 

Analysis in Detail

1. Theme of Devotion and Surrender:

The central theme of the poem is the speaker’s complete surrender and devotion to God. Right at the start of the day, the speaker acknowledges his relationship with God as creator and servant. The poem expresses a deep spiritual commitment, where the speaker offers himself fully to God, recognizing God’s authority over time, life, and destiny. This surrender is not just a ritual, but a heartfelt submission motivated by reverence and love.

 

2. The Relationship Between Creator and Creation:

Donne emphasizes the hierarchical relationship between God and man. The speaker sees himself as God’s creature and servant, dependent entirely on God’s will. Time itself, something humans often try to control or measure, is presented as subordinate to God — it has no independent existence outside Him. This elevates the divine’s sovereignty and highlights human dependence.

 

3. The World as a Place of Punishment vs. God as Refuge:

The poem contrasts the harsh reality of the world, which is described as a “place of punishment,” with God’s temple, which offers refuge. This reflects a classic spiritual idea of life as a testing ground or place of suffering, from which only divine presence can provide true comfort and safety. The speaker longs for God’s presence as a shelter from the hardships of life.

 

4. The Act of Worship and Obedience:

The speaker refers to the religious obligation to bring “first-fruits” to God’s temple. This symbolizes dedicating the best and earliest part of one’s life (here, the start of the day) to worship. Bowing the knee “to adore Thee” underscores humility and reverence. The physical act of standing at the temple door symbolizes readiness and willingness to engage in prayer and worship.

 

5. Prayer as Both Learning and Divine Action:

The speaker asks God to “teach me to pray,” indicating that prayer is a skill or art requiring guidance. Additionally, “pray Thou me” suggests a mystical or intimate idea where God Himself prays within the speaker, aligning human and divine will. This reflects the idea that true prayer is both human effort and divine inspiration.

 

6. Tone and Mood:

The tone is humble, earnest, and contemplative. The speaker is serious about his spiritual duties and deeply reflective about his place in the cosmos. The mood is both solemn and hopeful, as the speaker expresses a strong desire to remain close to God and not stray.

 

7. Structure and Style:

The poem is concise and uses formal language fitting its devotional nature. The use of direct address (“O God”) makes the poem intimate, like a personal prayer. The structure flows logically from acknowledgment of debt to God, to a reflection on the world’s nature, to the plea for guidance and presence.

 

8. Literary Devices:

Metaphor: The world as a “place of punishment” and God’s temple as “refuge” contrast earthly suffering with divine sanctuary.

 

Personification: Time is described as a “creature” belonging to God, emphasizing its created status.

 

Imagery: The temple door symbolizes the threshold between earthly life and spiritual worship.

 

Parallelism: The balanced structure of lines (“Teach me to pray, and pray Thou me”) highlights the dual role of human effort and divine assistance in prayer.

 

Summary of Analysis:

John Donne’s “Break of Day” is a devotional poem expressing the speaker’s profound submission to God at the start of the day. It highlights themes of divine sovereignty, human dependence, worship, and prayer. Through its humble tone and vivid metaphors, the poem captures the tension between the harshness of the world and the comfort found in God’s presence. It also explores the intimate interaction between human and divine in the act of prayer, making it a deeply spiritual and reflective piece.

 

Possible Exam Questions

Who is the speaker addressing in the poem “Break of Day”?

 

What does the speaker mean by saying “time’s another creature”?

 

How does the speaker describe the world in the poem?

 

What is the significance of the “first-fruits” mentioned in the poem?

 

Why does the speaker ask God to “teach me to pray”?

 

Explain how John Donne presents the relationship between God and man in “Break of Day.”

 

Discuss the theme of refuge and punishment in the poem.

 

How does the poem reflect the idea of devotion and surrender?

 

Analyze the use of imagery in “Break of Day” and its effect on the overall mood of the poem.

 

What does the poem suggest about the nature of prayer?

 

Discuss the spiritual significance of the poem “Break of Day” by John Donne, focusing on its portrayal of human dependence on God.

 

How does John Donne use contrast to highlight the speaker’s spiritual journey in “Break of Day”?

 

Explore the ways in which “Break of Day” expresses the tension between the temporal world and the divine.

 

Examine the role of humility and obedience in the poem and how they shape the speaker’s attitude toward God.

 

In what ways does “Break of Day” reflect the metaphysical poetry style characteristic of John Donne?