The child is a young boy who is exhausted from a full day of activity but reluctant to stop playing. As he is led to bed, he looks back at his familiar broken toys, unsure if he trusts the promise of newer, superior replacements. In the poem's extended metaphor, he represents humanity facing the end of life, clinging to familiar earthly possessions and relationships while feeling uncertain about the transcendent unknown.

The mother is a gentle but firm figure who understands that her child needs rest after a long day of play. She physically guides him away from his scattered toys, promising better things to come tomorrow. In the poem's allegory, she represents Nature, who compassionately leads people toward the inevitability of death, treating the transition as an earned and necessary sleep.

The speaker observes the interaction between the mother and the child, interpreting it to offer a comforting perspective on mortality. Acting as a public voice of wisdom, the speaker understands both the child's hesitation and the mother's gentle necessity. The speaker counsels readers to view the end of life not with panic, but as a peaceful transition toward a mystery that far exceeds familiar earthly experiences.