Edward Taylor and Ann Bradstreet

1) Based on what we know about the Puritans and how they viewed worldly objects and creative expression, why would it seem ironic that there are several among them who remain influential poets today? It would seem ironic because they had left few personal belongings behind them, but puritans confined within their culture so they can have a personal attachment.

2) A. Identify two similarities in the lives of Edward Taylor and Ann Bradstreet. B. Identify one to two key differences in their lives. Two similarities are they came with Puritans upbringing and they had hard lives. The Differences is Taylor had college experiences and politics and he saw his personal poetry as worship. Rather than Bradstreet she had a hard life she did experience politics but wasn’t as many as Taylor. She also wrote for herself in her poetry.

3) What two literary techniques are included in most of Edward Taylor’s poetry, and what are characteristics of these techniques? His literacy techniques where Conceit and Apostrophe, Conceit is an extended metaphor that typically draws and abstract comparison between two seemingly and dissimilar objects. While apostrophe is a literacy technique in which the speaker or writer breaks off into direct speech with imaginary person or an abstract quality or idea.

4) Although she was deeply religious, what else did Ann Bradstreet show appreciation for in her poetry? How might this have been a struggle for her living as a Puritan? She demonstrated appreciation for the material and natural world. Because they thought personal emotions was dangerous.

5) What poetic structure did Ann Bradstreet often use? Where have you seen this technique before? She often used iambic Pentameters as her technique. I have seem this technique in Dr. Seuss Books.

6) Use each of the following vocabulary words in a sentence:

a. Recompense- Doing all my homework and paying attention in class my teacher Recompense and gives me a good grade.

b. Manifold- Depending on what your teacher wants done in the classroom, you can clean Manifold as long as it gets done.

c. Persevere- When Ms. Barnes attempted to persevere with her scheme she was recalled. 7) Identify two features of the Puritan plain style. 1: Puritans believed that poetry should serve god by clearly expressing only useful or religious ideas. 2: Characterized by short words, direct statements, and references to ordinary, everyday objects. Part Two (To complete after you read and review the poems in the completion section).

8) A. Who is the speaker addressing in Edward Taylor’s poem? B. Given that fact, what does the poem remind you of? Explain. The Speaker that is addressing Taylor is wife. This poem reminds me of my grandma sitting in a rocking chair knitting scarfs, talking to me relaxed.

9) Identify the conceit in the poem. What two things are being compared? Identify one line that demonstrates this comparison and explain, in your own words, what it means. Knitting with yarn and the death of his wife. “Then mine apparell shall display before yee 5.That I am Cloathd in Holy robes for glory.” I would say this means that the memories of his wife and how things came to be is held on his back like a rock and he wants to pray about it and want god to let him know its ok.

10) A. Who is the speaker addressing in Ann Bradstreet’s poem, “To My Dear and Loving Husband?” B) Give a single line example from this poem to explain how you know this. Her Husband ”I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold” This can mean that no matter what her love for her husband is worth more than gold like her love for him is worth more than anything its priceless.

11) What references to heaven does Bradstreet include in the poem, and what references to the natural world does she include in this poem? The reference for heaven is “The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray” and the reference for natural world is “I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold “.

12) Do the vocabulary words we have noted – recompense, manifold, persevere – in your opinion, reference her strong feelings about heaven or her strong feelings about the natural world? Be sure to explain your answer and reference the poem when explaining this. I Think It does because In these lines it shows how deeply she feels and her personal connection. Its showing how much love and life means to her. 13) Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.

14) Thy love is such I can no way repay,
15) The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
16) Then while we live, in love let’s so persevere
17) That when we live no more, we may live ever. “

18) Knowing they are both Christians, what similarities can you pin point in the Christian beliefs of Edward Taylor and Ann Bradstreet? Use their poems as your example. Some Pin points that I can point out is in both they are calling on god for help and feeling like something is on their backs and they trying to let themselves know that everything is fine , because it is just life. For example in Edward Taylor Poem he says “Make me, O Lord, thy Spin[n]ing Wheele compleat;” Basically saying he needs help with what is going on. Then In Ann Bradstreet poem she says “The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.” Which is saying she is also is calling on god for many times.