Purpose for Reading:
1). Identify what Bradstreet values based on the events that
occur in “Upon the Burning of Our House”.
2). Identify examples of meter, rhyme scheme, inversion and
iambic pentameter.
3). Explain the role of God in Bradstreet’s life and
determine if Bradstreet would be considered a Puritan.
Anne Bradstreet: Verses upon the Burning of
our House
In silent night when rest I took,
For sorrow near I did not look,
I waken'd was with thund'ring noise
And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.
That fearful sound of "fire" and "fire,"
Let no man know is my Desire.
I starting up, the light did spy,
And to my God my heart did cry
To straighten me in my Distress
And not to leave me succourless.
Then coming out, behold a space
The flame consume my dwelling place.
And when I could no longer look,
I blest his grace that gave and took,
That laid my goods now in the dust.
Yea, so it was, and so 'twas just.
It was his own; it was not mine.
Far be it that I should repine,
He might of all justly bereft
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 sate and long did lie.
Here stood that Trunk, and there that chest,
There lay that store I counted best,
My pleasant things in ashes lie
And them behold no more shall I.
Under the roof no guest shall sit,
Nor at thy Table eat a bit.
No pleasant talk shall 'ere be told
Nor things recounted done of old.
No Candle 'ere shall shine in Thee,
Nor bridegroom's voice ere heard shall bee.
In silence ever shalt thou lie.
Adieu, Adieu, All's Vanity.
Then straight I 'gin my heart to chide:
And did thy wealth on earth abide,
Didst fix thy hope on mouldring dust,
The arm of flesh didst make thy trust?
Raise up thy thoughts above the sky
That dunghill mists away may fly.
Thou hast a house on high erect
Fram'd by that mighty Architect,
With glory richly furnished
Stands permanent, though this be fled.
It's purchased and paid for too
By him who hath enough to do.
A price so vast as is unknown,
Yet by his gift is made thine own.
There's wealth enough; I need no more.
Farewell, my pelf; farewell, my store.
The world no longer let me love;
My hope and Treasure lies above.
1. Read the poem twice.
2. Who is the narrator (general)?
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3. What happens to the narrator in lines 11-12?
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4. Highlight, with a highlighter, lines 16-17.
5. Why does the speaker say that the fire was
‘just?’
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6. What is the ‘house on high erect?’
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7. Who is the ‘mighty architect?’
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8. Label the rhyme scheme.
9. Why does Bradstreet use rhyme and meter
in this poem (infer this please).
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10. Bradstreet’s plain style helps to convey a
complex message. What is the message?
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11. Underline 5 inversions. An inversion is…
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12. Personal reaction to Bradstreet’s poem:
Rate your understanding…
Check for Understanding
After reading “Upon the Burning of Our House” are you…
1).
1
2
3
2).
1
2
3
3). Able to explain Bradstreet’s values and what truly matters to her?
3).
1
2
3
4). Able to describe the role that God plays in Bradstreet’s life and connect it to your
knowledge of Puritan values?
4).
1
2
3
5). Able to identify an example or iambic pentameter, meter and inversion and label a
rhyme scheme?
5).
1
2
3
1). Able to explain what happened to Anne Bradstreet’s house?
2). Able to describe Bradstreet’s reaction and overall emotion from lines 1-29?
Key to Rating your Understanding:
1= I do not understand the material at all.
2= I have a general understanding but still have a few questions.
3= I feel confident in my understanding and could explain it to another student.
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3. Explain line 7 in your own words…what
does it mean?
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4. What is the theme of this poem? Explain.
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5. Now, go to your ipod/computer/CD
collection, and find a song that has a similar
theme.
a. Title: _________________________
b. Artist: ________________________
Explain how these two cultural productions are
similar, even though they are centuries apart:
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To My Dear and Loving Husband
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompetence.
Thy love is such I can no way repay.
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persevere
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
1. Highlight one instance of parallel
structure. Parallel structure
is…________________________________
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2. Describe the relationship between the
husband and wife:
6. Ok, now you have to find someone else, of a
different generation, to read this poem and
respond. They need to sign here
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to prove he or she read. Your signature
needs to go here
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so that I can compare handwriting.
7. Then, this individual needs to write a
personal reaction to the poem (what he/she
thought, felt, remembers, connected to, etc.).
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8. Now, write your own personal reaction to
the poem:
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9. How are these reactions the same?
Different?
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