Topics
1. Of Plymouth Plantation reflects the cultural characteristics of the Pilgrims. Bradford’s word choices
and details provide clues as to the Puritans beliefs, attitudes, fears, character traits. Write an essay
discussing this topic. (If you have difficulty writing the required length, you can combine # 1 and #2;
be sure to change your thesis if you do this.)
2.
The poems “Upon the Burning of Our House” and “To My Dear and Loving Husband” offer
glimpses into what was important to the speaker, Anne Bradstreet. Write an essay explaining the
connection between values (earthly and spiritual) in each poem and how she works out the conflict
between the earthly and the spiritual in “UBH.” (If you have difficulty meeting the required length,
you could also write about #1; it covers a similar idea. You would need to change your thesis.)
3.
The Puritans strong religious beliefs and sense of community enabled them to endure the hardships of
coming to a new, unsettled land. Write an essay in which you discuss how the religious beliefs and
strong sense of community of the Pilgrims helped them endure the hardships.
One paragraph should be over Of Plymouth Plantation.
The other paragraph should focus on the beliefs in “Upon the Burning of Our House” and “To My
Dear and Loving Husband.” What religious beliefs do you see in each of these poems? What else
was important to Anne Bradstreet?
4.
The Pilgrims in Of Plymouth Plantation and Anne Bradstreet in “Upon the Burning of Our House”
both faced hardships as they carved out a life in America. Write an essay about these hardships.
Include what the hardships were, what happened, and what they reveal about the Pilgrims’ and Anne
Bradstreet’s character. (In other words, what qualities did they possess that helped them overcome the
challenges they faced.)
5.
Both Of Plymouth Plantation and “Upon the Burning of Our House” involve change. The conditions
of the Pilgrims’ shelter, land, and relationships change by the end of the first year. As you reread
each of the five sections of the history, look for the way the Pilgrims’ lives in the new land start and
how and why their lives improve.
Anne Bradstreet also undergoes a change. The ordeal she experiences helps her to realize something
about herself. Explain what she realizes and how she comes to that conclusion.
6.
Both Of Plymouth Plantation and “Upon the Burning of Our House.” convey a wide range of
emotions. As you reread each excerpt of Bradford’s history, discuss the various emotions presented in
each section. (The sections may have more than one emotion. Also, if you are not sure if what you
have come up with is an emotion, ask me.) After this, trace the emotions Bradstreet goes through in
the poem “Upon the Burning of Our House.”
7.
Discuss the purpose of each of the works , Of Plymouth Plantation and “Upon the Burning of Our
House” and how each author develops that purpose. Think about the style, the tone, and the word
choices, the beliefs - the main ideas you think each author wants to present to the reader. You could
do each separately or you could compare / contrast.