The Puritan Tradition To My Dear and Loving Husband and Upon the Burning of Our House, July 10th, 1666 Poetry by Anne Bradstreet Huswifery VIDEO TRAILER KEYWORD: HML11-114A Poetry by Edward Taylor RL 4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as study of complex texts when reading. L 4 Clarify the they are used in the text, including figurative meanings; meaning of unknown words and phrases. L 5a Interpret analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning figures of speech in context and analyze their role in the and tone. L 3a Apply an understanding of syntax to the text. Meet the Authors Anne Anne Bradstreet was essentially the After her privileged upbringing, Anne Bradstreet first notable American poet, man or Bradstreet was not prepared for the harsh c. 1612-1672 woman. Considering that Puritan women living conditions of colonial America. Her were not encouraged to improve their religious faith helped her endure these minds—let alone express their ideas—this hardships—as did writing poetry. achievement is remarkable. Personal Poetry Bradstreet focused Coming to America Anne Dudley primarily on the realities of her life—her Bradstreet was born in England and raised husband, her eight children, and her on an estate, which her father managed house. In 1650, without her knowledge, for the Earl of Lincoln. With access to Bradstreet’s brother-in-law had some of her the earl’s library, she received a good verses published in London in a volume education. In 1628, 16-year-old Anne titled The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in married Simon Bradstreet. Two years later, America. It was the first book of poetry ever the young couple sailed for Massachusetts. published by an American colonist. Edward For over 200 years, the work of Edward The wilderness town of Westfield Taylor 1642?–1729 Taylor, one of colonial America’s most presented many challenges to the highly inventive poets, remained unread. intellectual Taylor. But he undertook his His poetry did not come to light until roles as farmer, physician, and minister the 1930s when his long-forgotten with energy. He even called his flock to manuscripts were discovered in the Yale worship by beating a drum. University Library. Like Anne Bradstreet—a volume of Frontier Parson and Poet Born in whose work he owned—Taylor wrote England, Taylor came to America in his poetry to glorify God. He found 1668 to escape religious persecution in his subjects in human life, nature, and his homeland. In 1671, after graduating everyday activities. His poems on these from Harvard University, Taylor became topics served as a form of worship. the minister of a church in Westfield, Massachusetts. He held that position until his death 58 years later. Author Online Go to thinkcentral.com. KEYWORD: HML11-114B 114 NA_L11PE-u01s31-brDear.indd 114 12/22/10 4:59:28 PM text analysis: figurative language Like all poets, Puritan poets used figurative language to create imagery and communicate ideas beyond the literal meaning of words. Figurative language helped the Puritan poets convey What do you ideas about their religious faith and their personal lives. As you read the poems by Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor, look for value most? the types of figures of speech listed below. The things that we value in life may • A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two be actual objects or they may be less unlike things without using like or as. (Our house is our nest.) tangible. For instance, a person might • An extended metaphor is one that draws the comparison out prize a favorite CD or jacket. On the and compares the two things at length and in many ways. other hand, the gift of family may (Our house is our nest; we fly away only to return to its snug outweigh more material possessions. protection.) The Puritan poets you are about to read • Personification is a figure of speech in which an object, valued family life and their religious animal, or idea is given human characteristics. (Our house faith above all things. What do you wraps our family in a warm embrace.) prize most in your life? QUICKWRITE • Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which the truth is Imagine that a reality exaggerated for emphasis. (Our house means more to us show has offered you the chance to win than all the money in the world.) a million dollars. The catch is that you will have to give up an object, a person, • Also note the effect of any biblical allusions, or references, and or a belief that you truly value. Assume how they enhance the meaning of the poem. that you are not willing to make the sacrifice. Write a brief letter to explain reading strategy: clarify meaning in older poetry why you must turn down the money. When reading works from the Puritan era, it is important to stop and clarify meaning by rereading and restating difficult passages as needed in order to fully appreciate the literature. Be aware of the following as you read the Puritan poets: • Archaic language—words that were once in common use but that are now considered old-fashioned or out-of-date • Inverted syntax—sentence structure in which the expected order of words is reversed As you read each poem, use a chart like the one shown to record and restate examples of archaic language and inverted syntax. “Upon the Burning of Our House” Archaic Language Inverted Syntax “blest” (blessed) “when rest I took” (when I took rest) Complete the activities in your Reader/Writer Notebook. 115 NA_L11PE-u01s31-brDear.indd 115 12/22/10 4:59:36 PM To My ear and oving Husband Anne Bradstreet If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; a FIGURATIVE If ever wife was happy in a man, LANGUAGE Compare with me, ye women, if you can. Reread lines 5–7. How does the poet use 5 I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold hyperbole in these lines Or all the riches that the East doth hold. to emphasize her feelings My love is such that rivers cannot quench, a for her husband? Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.1 Thy love is such I can no way repay, 10 The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love let’s so persevere2 That when we live no more, we may live ever. b b CLARIFY MEANING Use conventional word order to restate the inverted syntax in lines 11–12. What relationship do the lines suggest between earthly love and eternal life? Analyze Visuals Many Puritan women stitched samplers like the one shown here. The samplers often depicted 1. recompense (rDkPEm-pDnsQ): payment in return for something, nature scenes or stories such as a service. from the Bible. What 2. persevere: In Bradstreet’s time, persevere would have been values are suggested by pronounced pûr-sEvPEr, which rhymes with ever. the subject matter of the sampler? 116 unit 1: early american writing NA_L11PE-u01s31-Burn.indd 116 12/22/10 4:59:41 PM to my dear and loving husband 117 NA_L11PE-u01s31-Burn.indd 117 12/22/10 4:59:42 PM pon the urning of Our ouse, July 10th, 1666 Anne Bradstreet In silent night when rest I took For sorrow near I did not look I wakened was with thund’ring noise And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice. 5 That fearful sound of “Fire!” and “Fire!” Let no man know is my desire. c c CLARIFY MEANING Paraphrase lines 1–6 to I, starting up, the light did spy, clarify their meaning. How does the poet use And to my God my heart did cry contrast to convey a sense To strengthen me in my distress of fear? 10 And not to leave me succorless.1 Then, coming out, beheld a space Language Coach The flame consume my dwelling place. Meanings of Idioms The phrase “Far be it” And when I could no longer look, in line 18 is an idiom, 2 an expression whose I blest His name that gave and took, overall meaning is 15 That laid my goods now in the dust: different from that of Yea, so it was, and so ’twas just. the individual words. It was His own, it was not mine, “Far be it” means “I Far be it that I should repine;3 wouldn’t dare to. .” How does the speaker view herself in relation to God? 1. succorless (sOkPEr-lGs): without help or relief. 2. I . took: an allusion to Job 1:21 in the Bible—“The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 3. repine: to complain or fret; to long for something. 118 unit 1: early american writing NA_L11PE-u01s31-Burn.indd 118 12/22/10 4:59:52 PM He might of all justly bereft, 20 But yet sufficient for us left. When by the ruins oft I past, My sorrowing eyes aside did cast, And here and there the places spy Where oft I sat and long did lie: 25 Here stood that trunk and there that chest, There lay that store I counted best. RL 4 My pleasant things in ashes lie, d ALLUSION And them behold no more shall I. Bradstreet’s Puritan Under thy roof no guest shall sit, readers were well 30 Nor at thy table eat a bit. acquainted with the language of the King No pleasant tale shall e’er be told, James translation of the Nor things recounted done of old.