The Puritan poet Anne Bradstreet wrote “Verses upon the Burning of our House” in response to the destruction of her home and possessions by a fire. … Rather than curse God, she turns towards God in this moment, even intensifying her religious devotion in response to her suffering.
How did Anne Bradstreet react to her house burning down?
Bradstreet feels guilty that she is hurt from losing earthly possessions. It is against her belief that she should feel this way; showing she is a sinner. Her deep puritan beliefs brought her to accept that the loss of material was a spiritually necessary occurrence.
What does Bradstreet do immediately upon the realization of the fire?
When Bradstreet realized that her house was on fire, her first response was to immediately cry out to God the moment she first saw the flames when she said, “I, starting up, the light did spy, / And to my God my heart did cry” (Bradstreet ll. 7-8).
What does the speaker do when she can no longer look at her burning house?
The speaker states how her “pleasant things” lie-in “ashes” and she will no longer go and look at them. There is nothing left for her to see.
What does Bradstreet miss about her house?
What material items does she miss in particular? -She misses the things/memories of her house, but she is not sad that they’re gone. She knows it was God’s will.
Why does Anne Bradstreet bless God as she watches her home burn?
Faith, Suffering, and Acceptance
The Puritan poet Anne Bradstreet wrote “Verses upon the Burning of our House” in response to the destruction of her home and possessions by a fire. … The poem thus praises trust in God and shows how faith provides humanity with a way of accepting and understanding suffering.
What is the message of Upon the Burning of Our House?
Major Themes in “Verses upon the Burning of our House”: Faith and acceptance are the major themes of this poem. The poem narrates a tragic incident that destroyed her home. It represents the internal struggle of the speaker whose earthly house turned into ashes.
What is Bradstreet comparing to a house?
Bradstreet refers to the “mighty Architect” of that house. The Architect (or designer/builder) is God. This house is better than her earthly home because it is furnished with spiritual glory.
What lesson does Bradstreet learn as a result of the fire?
Far be it that I should repine; She explains that everything that was on fire she did not actually own, for they belonged to God’s. Therefore, she could not mourn the lost because He had the right to take them away. Another lesson Bradstreet learns from the fire is earthly pleasures are fleeting.
How did the speaker view her possessions before the fire and how did she later change her views?
At first, how does the speaker feel feel about the loss of her house in the fire? … How did the speaker view her possessions before the fire, and how did she later change her views? Before the fire she viewed her possessions as very important, later on she did not care about them. You just studied 5 terms!
What does that dunghill mists away may fly mean?
Metaphor: “Raise up thy thoughts above the sky that dunghill mists away may fly” The central idea of the poem. She shows that even when you are struggling, always know that God is with you. Showing that even in these timed look to what is really important.
What does adieu adieu all’s vanity mean?
What does the author mean “Adieu, Adieu all’s vanity? All earthly possessions are temporary – the only thing permanent are things of eternal value that are not burnt up by fire – your character etc.
What does Bradstreet wish to no longer love?
When Bradstreet writes, “I blest His name that gave and took…” she implies that? … In the last five lines, what does Bradstreet wish to no longer love? Possessions. In the line “Nor at thy table eat a bit”.
When the speaker in Upon the Burning of Our House wakes up to find her house on fire what is her initial reaction?
2) Recall: When the speaker in “Upon the Burning of Our House” wakes up to find her house on fire, what is her initial reaction? The speaker gets up and prays to God for strength and help.
What is Bradstreet’s first reaction to the burning of the house?
In Bradstreet’s first reaction, she cries to God and asks him to strengthen her in her distress.