The Collar Characters

The speaker is an angry and frustrated religious person, widely interpreted as George Herbert himself. He feels that serving God brings him only pain and no joy, leading him to cry out in rebellion against divine obedience. However, as the poem progresses, he begins to recall God's love and, upon hearing the word 'Child,' transforms back into a state of calm and gentleness.

God is not directly visible in the poem but maintains a constant silent presence throughout. He listens to the speaker's anger with unwavering patience and responds at the poem's end with a single, softly spoken word: 'Child.' This one word encapsulates His forgiveness and love, and it is powerful enough to completely transform the speaker's rebellious heart. God functions as the symbol of love, peace, and understanding in the poem.

The Inner Voice is an interpretive presence that some readers identify as the speaker's own soul or conscience rather than an external divine call. It is the voice that utters 'Child' at the poem's conclusion, reminding the speaker of his true spiritual belonging. This voice serves as the catalyst that draws the speaker back from rebellion toward inner peace and reconciliation with God.