The Mower to the Glow-Worms Summary & Analysis
by Andrew Marvell

Question about this poem?
Have a question about this poem?
Have a specific question about this poem?
Have a specific question about this poem?
Have a specific question about this poem?
A LitCharts expert can help.
A LitCharts expert can help.
A LitCharts expert can help.
A LitCharts expert can help.
A LitCharts expert can help.
Ask us
Ask us
Ask a question
Ask a question
Ask a question

"The Mower to the Glow-Worms" is one of four "Mower" poems written by 17th-century English poet Andrew Marvell. In this poem, the titular mower praises some nearby glow-worms (a.k.a. fireflies) for lighting the way as he cuts grass at night. And yet, the speaker laments that the creatures' lovely light is ultimately wasted on him; he can't fully appreciate nature's kindness and splendor because he's too distracted by his unrequited love for a woman named Juliana. Heartbreak, the poem suggests, can make it difficult for people to see beyond their own pain.

Get
Get
LitCharts
Get the entire guide to “The Mower to the Glow-Worms” as a printable PDF.
Download