Anne Bradstreet
Poetry Worksheet
“In the Beginning”
“To My Dear and Loving Husband”
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Which lines from “To My Dear and Loving
Husband” compare love to the ownership of
physical wealth and property?
“I prize thy love more than whole mines of
gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.”
What does the word “ought” in line
8 communicate?
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Either “anything” or “expression of duty.”
If it’s “anything” she’s saying nothing but his
love can repay her for her love.
If it’s “expression of duty” she’s saying that her
husband should express his duty to his wife
through his love for her, which is the only
repayment she wants.
What does that tell us about the
Puritans?
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It shows that they value love and duty over
material goods.
The last line of the poem says that
they love each other so much that
even in heaven they will still be
married and in love. How does
that contradict the Puritan belief
system?
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They can’t know whether they will be in heaven
together (doctrine of election)
“Verses Upon the Burning of Our
House, July 10, 1666”
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Is the whole poem reprinted here?
No – just the ending
Who is the “mighty Architect”?
God, who builds a mansion in heaven for those
who are saved
What is the difference between the
“house on high” and Bradstreet’s
house that just burned?
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The “house on high” is eternal and in heaven;
The house that burned is temporary and on
earth.
Why does she decide that she doesn’t
love the world any longer? Who or
what does she love instead?
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Everything in the world is temporary
God is permanent, so she loves God.
What does this reveal about Puritan
beliefs and values?
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Going to heaven is more important than
earthly wealth
Belief in God helps them deal with hardship