Anne Bradstreet
During the period of time when the role of women was that of a "helpmate", and their most complicated job entailed simple household tasks, Anne Bradstreet broke these barriers and became the first published poet from the English colonies. The poet Anne Bradstreet wrote about her life and how her trials urged her to conduct self-inspections in an effort to attempt to subdue the material desires of this world. In Bradstreet's poem "Upon the Burning of Our House," Puritan ideals are reflected throughout. There are several traits one must possess in order to be considered Puritan. The idea of Divine Providence and Original Sin, believing that worldly pleasures are an unhealthy vanity, and possessing faith are just a few examples of Puritan ideology. To start off with, Divine Providence is the belief that God controls all things, that His will is evident in worldly events. Bradstreet visibly reflects this view. As Bradstreet's house burns to the ground, she still "blest His name that gave and took" (line 14) believing th
She gives examples of the Puritan traits of Divine Providence and Original Sin. This can be seen as an example of Puritan Typology, in which she is relating things that are happening to her with examples of things in the Bible. Puritans believed in the idea that all are born into this world with sin on their shoulders. In the end of the poem she vows to leave all her possessions behind, with the quote "The world no longer let me love / My hope and treasure lies above" (lines 54-55). Her attitude in this situation shows the level of faith in which she possesses. Throughout this poem Puritan ideals and what traits a Puritan must possess are easily seen. By faith, she believes in God's promise that she has already bought and paid for and that a better place has been made for her in heaven. My interpretation of faith is to believe or have stock in something that you cannot see with the physical eye. /It's purchased and paid for too/By Him who hath enough to do. She is comparing her position to that of Job who experienced much trial and tribulation, but yet managed to pra!ise the Lord throughout his turmoil. It is amazing that in the midst of her great tragedy Bradstreet turns her eyes to God, having faith and believing in a promise she cannot see. This excellent example of Divine Providence can lead us right into the idea of Original Sin. They were just gifts from God for him to give and take. In this case, Bradstreet blames the fire to a lack of strength in her spirituality.
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Acceptance Essays
