Poetry · Chapter
V: The Widow of Nain explained
The poem recounts the biblical story of the Widow of Nain, where Jesus raises her dead son.
What happens
The poem recounts the biblical story of the Widow of Nain, where Jesus raises her dead son. It contrasts the funeral procession with a joyful crowd, highlights Jesus' command over death, and explores the mother's silent, trusting joy and the mystery of the afterlife.
Themes in this chapter
Love as Ultimate Strength
The mother's love and trust in Jesus, even without understanding, exemplifies love as a binding, sustaining force.
Suffering and Purification
The widow's grief and the procession of death are transformed by divine intervention, suggesting suffering leads to purification and restoration.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The Life who halts the funeral procession, commands the dead man to arise, and restores him to his mother.
- The Woman Who Came Behind Him in the Crowd
The widow of Nain, whose son is raised; she clings to her restored son in silent, trusting joy.
- Death
Personified as turning backward to the sun, defeated by Jesus' command.
Key passages
“How could the Life let such a train / Of death and tears go by!”
How could the source of life allow a funeral procession of death and sorrow to pass without intervention?
Expresses wonder at Jesus' decision to stop and act.
“Weep not,” he said, and touched the bier: / They stand, the dead who bear; / The mother knows nor hope nor fear— / He waits not for her prayer.”
Jesus tells the widow not to weep, touches the coffin, and the pallbearers halt; the mother is beyond hope or fear, and Jesus acts without waiting for her request.
Highlights Jesus' compassionate authority and the mother's stunned passivity.
“The mother leaves us not a spark / Of her triumph over grief; / Her tears alone have left their mark / Upon the holy leaf:”
The widow shows no outward sign of triumph over her grief; only her tears have left a record in the sacred story.
Emphasizes the depth of her silent, private joy.