Name:_______________________
Date:_______________
Period:__________
Anne Bradstreet and Conceit
An extended metaphor, also called a conceit, is a metaphor that extends itself throughout a piece of literature or
poem. A conceit is also defined as a metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a
work. “The Author to her Book” by Bradstreet is an example of a conceit. Directions: Read “The Author to Her
Book” by Anne Bradstreet, annotating aspects of the poem that allude to that extended metaphor and then answer
the questions to the left.
1. Explain the metaphor established in this poem. What is Bradstreet comparing her child to? Find
specific lines that convey this.
The Author To Her Book
Anne Bradstreet
2. Anne’s brother-in-law collected her poems
and had them published in England without
her knowledge. Where does she address
this in this poem, and how does she
describe her brother-in-law? What does
this mean?
3. How does Anne feel about her book? Cite
specific lines to support your opinion.
Thou ill-formed offspring of my feeble brain, 1
Who after birth did'st by my side remain, 2
Till snatcht from thence by friends, less wise than true,3
Who thee abroad exposed to public view, 4
Made thee in rags, halting to th' press to trudge, 5
Where errors were not lessened (all may judge). 6
At thy return my blushing was not small, 7
My rambling brat (in print) should mother call. 8
I cast thee by as one unfit for light, 9
The visage was so irksome in my sight, 10
Yet being mine own, at length affection would 11
Thy blemishes amend, if so I could. 12
I washed thy face, but more defects I saw, 13
And rubbing off a spot, still made a flaw. 14
I stretcht thy joints to make thee even feet, 15
Yet still thou run'st more hobbling than is meet. 16
In better dress to trim thee was my mind, 17
But nought save home-spun cloth, i' th' house I find. 18
In this array, 'mongst vulgars may'st thou roam. 19
In critic's hands, beware thou dost not come, 20
And take thy way where yet thou art not known. 21
If for thy father askt, say, thou hadst none; 22
And for thy mother, she alas is poor, 23
Which caused her thus to send thee out of door. 24
Name:_______________________
Date:_______________
The Author To Her Book
Period:__________
Anne Bradstreet and Conceit
An extended metaphor, also called a conceit, is a metaphor that extends itself throughout a piece of literature or
poem. A conceit is also defined as a metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a
work. “The Author to her Book” by Bradstreet is an example of a conceit. Directions: Read “The Author to Her
Book” by Anne Bradstreet, annotating aspects of the poem that allude to that extended metaphor and then answer
the questions to the left.
Name:_______________________
Date:_______________
Period:__________
The Author To Her Book
Anne Bradstreet
Anne Bradstreet and Conceit
An extended metaphor, also called a conceit, is a metaphor that extends itself throughout a piece of literature or
Thou ill-formed offspring of my feeble brain, 1
poem. A conceit is also defined as a metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a
Who after birth did'st by my side remain, 2
work. “The Author to her Book” by Bradstreet is an example ofTill
a conceit.
Directions:
Read “The
Author
Her
snatcht from
thence by friends,
less wise
thanto
true,
3
Book” by Anne Bradstreet, annotating aspects of the poem that
allude
to
that
extended
metaphor
and
then
answer
Who thee abroad exposed to public view, 4
the questions to the left.
Made thee in rags, halting to th' press to trudge, 5
Name:__________________________
Where errors were not lessened (all may judge). 6
At thy return my blushing was not small, 7
My rambling brat (in print) should mother call. 8
I cast thee by as one unfit for light, 9
The visage was so irksome in my sight, 10
Yet being mine own, at length affection would 11
Thy blemishes amend, if so I could. 12
I washed thy face, but more defects I saw, 13
And rubbing off a spot, still made a flaw. 14
I stretcht thy joints to make thee even feet, 15
Yet still thou run'st more hobbling than is meet. 16
In better dress to trim thee was my mind, 17
But nought save home-spun cloth, i' th' house I find. 18
In this array, 'mongst vulgars may'st thou roam. 19
In critic's hands, beware thou dost not come, 20
And take thy way where yet thou art not known. 21
If for thy father askt, say, thou hadst none; 22
And for thy mother, she alas is poor, 23
Which caused her thus to send thee out of door. 24
Directions: Take out your Puritan Literature
Scavenger Hunt notes to use what you already know
about Bradstreet to help you understand the poem and
her underlying meaning. Bradstreet’s entire poem
may be seen as an extended metaphor, meaning she is comparing her collection of work to something specific for effect. As we
read the poem, highlight or underline the passages which help you to understand this comparison.
1. From what you have learned about Bradstreet who was the friend, “less wise than true” who snatched her
book? What have you learned about Anne Bradstreet, which may explain why she becomes so upset about
her book being published?
2. Explain the metaphor in this poem. What is she comparing her book to? Cite 3 specific examples that you
highlighted or underlined as we read the poem aloud. Underneath each citation, explain the meaning of the
metaphor being established.
Name:_______________________
Date:_______________
Period:__________
Anne Bradstreet and Conceit
An extended metaphor, also called a conceit, is a metaphor that extends itself throughout a piece of literature or
poem. A conceit is also defined as a metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a
work. “The Author to her Book” by Bradstreet is an example of a conceit. Directions: Read “The Author to Her
Book” by Anne Bradstreet, annotating aspects of the poem that allude to that extended metaphor and then answer
the questions to the left.
3.
How does Anne feel about her book?
Cite at least 3 specific lines from the
poem to support your opinion.