Anne BradstreetAnne Bradstreet

Poetry WorksheetPoetry Worksheet

““In the Beginning”In the Beginning”

““To My Dear and Loving HusbandTo My Dear and Loving Husband””

Which lines from “To My Dear and Loving Which lines from “To My Dear and Loving Husband” compare love to the ownership of Husband” compare love to the ownership of physical wealth and property?physical wealth and property?

““I prize thy love more than whole mines of I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold  gold  Or all the riches that the East doth hold.” Or all the riches that the East doth hold.”

What does the word “ought” in line What does the word “ought” in line 8 communicate?8 communicate?

Either “anything” or “expression of duty.”Either “anything” or “expression of duty.”

If it’s “anything” she’s saying nothing but his If it’s “anything” she’s saying nothing but his love can repay her for her love.love can repay her for her love.

If it’s “expression of duty” she’s saying that her If it’s “expression of duty” she’s saying that her husband should express his duty to his wife husband should express his duty to his wife through his love for her, which is the only through his love for her, which is the only repayment she wants.repayment she wants.

What does that tell us about the What does that tell us about the Puritans?Puritans?

It shows that they value love and duty over It shows that they value love and duty over material goods.material goods.

The last line of the poem says that The last line of the poem says that they love each other so much that they love each other so much that

even in heaven they will still be even in heaven they will still be married and in love. How does married and in love. How does

that contradict the Puritan belief that contradict the Puritan belief system?system?

They can’t know whether they will be in heaven They can’t know whether they will be in heaven together (doctrine of election)together (doctrine of election)

““Verses Upon the Burning of Our Verses Upon the Burning of Our House, July 10, 1666”House, July 10, 1666”

Is the whole poem reprinted here?Is the whole poem reprinted here? No – just the endingNo – just the ending Who is the “mighty Architect”?Who is the “mighty Architect”? God, who builds a mansion in heaven for those God, who builds a mansion in heaven for those

who are savedwho are saved

What is the difference between the What is the difference between the “house on high” and Bradstreet’s “house on high” and Bradstreet’s

house that just burned?house that just burned?

The “house on high” is eternal and in heaven;The “house on high” is eternal and in heaven; The house that burned is temporary and on The house that burned is temporary and on

earth.earth.

Why does she decide that she doesn’t Why does she decide that she doesn’t love the world any longer? Who or love the world any longer? Who or

what does she love instead?what does she love instead?

Everything in the world is temporaryEverything in the world is temporary God is permanent, so she loves God.God is permanent, so she loves God.

What does this reveal about Puritan What does this reveal about Puritan beliefs and values?beliefs and values?

Going to heaven is more important than Going to heaven is more important than earthly wealthearthly wealth

Belief in God helps them deal with hardshipBelief in God helps them deal with hardship