# The Bargain explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Henry van Dyke Jr..

## 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.

## Themes 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.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who negotiates the exchange of worldly goods for the divine Pearl.

### Jesus

Implied recipient of the heart's offering, the Pearl of greatest price.

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-bargain
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters