Anne Bradstreet

Poetry Worksheet “In the Beginning”

“ To My Dear and Loving Husband ”

 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?

 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?

 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?

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

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

 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?

 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?

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

What does this reveal about Puritan beliefs and values?

 Going to heaven is more important than earthly wealth  Belief in God helps them deal with hardship