Disinherited. by John Donne (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions)

 

Disinherited.

by John Donne

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions) 

Disinherited.

Thy father all from thee, by his last will,

Gave to the poor; thou hast good title still.

 

This two‑line epigram is found among Donne’s Epigrams, first published posthumously in 1633–69

It wittily observes that when a father disinherits his son and leaves everything to the poor, the son ironically still retains the best possible "title" to be called "good."

Summary

The poem is very short, only two lines long. It describes a situation where a father has written a will that leaves all his possessions to the poor, completely disinheriting his son. Despite this, the son is said to still have a "good title" — meaning he retains a certain status or right, even though he has been legally cut off from the inheritance.

The poem points out the irony that even though the son does not receive any material inheritance, he somehow gains a kind of honor or dignity by being disinherited in favor of charity. In other words, his disinheritance by his father actually gives him a sort of moral or symbolic distinction.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

Original:

Thy father all from thee, by his last will,

Paraphrase:

Your father has left everything away from you in his final will,

 

Original:

Gave to the poor; thou hast good title still.

Paraphrase:

He gave it all to the poor; yet you still have a valid claim or status.

 

The poem reflects the idea that although the father disinherits his son by leaving everything to the poor, the son ironically still holds some kind of “good” or honorable position despite this.

 

Analysis in Detail

John Donne’s poem “Disinherited” is a concise and witty epigram, characteristic of Donne’s sharp intelligence and poetic style. Despite its brevity, it carries a layered meaning and subtle irony.

The poem presents a scenario where a father disinherits his son by leaving all his possessions to the poor. Normally, being disinherited would be considered a misfortune—a legal and social loss for the son. However, Donne introduces an ironic twist: the son “hast good title still.” This phrase suggests that, despite losing his material inheritance, the son retains a “good title,” or a kind of honor or legitimacy.

The irony works on several levels. First, the son’s “good title” may be seen as a sarcastic comment on the hollow nature of inheritance when it is entirely given away. The son is deprived of wealth, yet the poem implies he retains a superior moral status because the wealth goes to the poor, a noble and charitable act.

Second, the epigram can be interpreted as a commentary on spiritual or moral inheritance. The son, though disinherited materially, might inherit a higher form of dignity or virtue through the father’s charitable action. This fits well with Donne’s frequent engagement with themes of morality, faith, and the tension between worldly and spiritual goods.

Finally, the poem reflects Donne’s metaphysical wit by playing with legal and social terms (“title,” “will,” “gave”) to highlight the contrast between earthly possessions and intangible values such as honor or spiritual worth.

In essence, the epigram invites readers to reflect on what true inheritance means—whether it is measured by wealth and possessions or by moral and spiritual legacy. Donne’s sharp, paradoxical statement challenges conventional ideas about family, legacy, and value.

 

Possible Exam Questions

Explain the central irony in John Donne’s poem “Disinherited.”

 

What does the phrase “thou hast good title still” imply in the context of the poem?

 

How does John Donne use the concept of inheritance in the poem “Disinherited” to convey a deeper moral message?

 

Discuss the tone and style of the poem “Disinherited” by John Donne. How does its brevity affect its impact?

 

In what ways does “Disinherited” reflect the metaphysical poetry style of John Donne?

 

How does the poem “Disinherited” challenge traditional ideas about wealth and legacy?

 

Write a brief summary of John Donne’s poem “Disinherited.”

 

What is the significance of the father leaving all his possessions to the poor in Donne’s poem?

 

How does Donne’s poem “Disinherited” use legal and social terms to deepen its meaning?

 

Compare the theme of inheritance in “Disinherited” with another poem by John Donne or a metaphysical poet.