The Quarrel (Poem) summary

“The Quarrel” is a short but powerful poem that explores how small misunderstandings can grow into conflicts, and how easily they can be resolved through patience and understanding. The poem is written in a simple conversational style, making it relatable to children and adults alike. The poet describes a quarrel between two people—most likely close companions, friends, or siblings—and uses this situation to teach a lesson about human relationships and emotions.

The poem begins by describing how the quarrel starts. It happens suddenly and without a serious reason. The speaker admits that the argument began over a “trivial thing.” This word is important because it highlights that the issue was not truly big or meaningful. Many quarrels in daily life begin this way—out of impatience, irritation, or misunderstanding rather than a real problem. The speaker and the other person exchange harsh words, and the mood turns bitter. The poet wants readers to recognize this common pattern of human behavior.

As the quarrel continues, both people become stubborn. They stop listening to each other’s point of view. They only want to prove themselves right. This is another realistic truth shown in the poem: during anger, logic and empathy disappear. The speaker says that both behaved foolishly, suggesting that the quarrel was not only unnecessary but also damaging. The poet shows how pride becomes fuel for anger, and how quickly a peaceful relationship becomes tense when ego takes control.

After the argument, there is a period of silence and distance. The speaker feels upset and stays away from the other person. There is no warmth, no friendly interaction, and the relationship feels cold. However, the poem shows that anger does not last forever. As time passes, the speaker starts thinking about what happened. The trivial nature of the quarrel becomes clearer in hindsight. This reflection leads to regret. The speaker realizes that the fight was pointless, and that both reacted emotionally without understanding each other.

The turning point of the poem is the arrival of morning. The poet uses morning as a symbol of freshness, calmness, and a new opportunity. The speaker says that when morning comes, both people begin to feel different. Anger fades naturally because the human heart does not like bitterness for long, especially with someone close. The speaker finds that the other person is just as ready to forgive as he is. Without anyone planning it, they quietly return to friendliness. The quarrel ends not through dramatic apologies but simply through mutual realization and softness of heart.

The poem emphasizes that conflicts do not always need long explanations to end. When people care for each other, forgiveness can come easily if ego is dropped. The poet also hints that we should not allow small issues to grow into big battles. If we pause, reflect, and remember the value of relationships, we can avoid unnecessary hurts. The poem teaches children to control anger, think before speaking, and keep friendships stronger than momentary irritation.

The final message of “The Quarrel” is hopeful and practical. The poet acknowledges that quarrels happen to everyone. They are part of human life. But the important thing is how quickly we are willing to forgive and restore peace. The poem teaches that love and harmony are more valuable than winning an argument. Real strength lies in letting go of anger and choosing friendship again. Thus, the poem becomes a gentle reminder to be kind, to avoid stubborn pride, and to give relationships a fresh start whenever possible.