American Literature exam
I am obnoxious to each carping tongue
Who says my hand a needle better fits,
A poet's pen all scorn I should thus wrong,
For such despite they cast on female wits:
If what I do prove well, it won't advance,
They'll say it's stol'n, or else it was by chance. correct answers author: anne Bradstreet
Title: prolugue
Theme? the treatment towards women wasnt fair. the reason for this disparity is that
men were the ones in the position of authority. so the women didnt get to pick who or
what was worthy.
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold. correct answers Anne bradstreet
to my dear and loving husband
theme? this was the best romantic love. bradstreet comments on how this love was
more important than material and wealth. this was an one-sided love we didnt get to
hear the husband side.
By nature trees do rot when they are grown,
And plums and apples thoroughly ripe do fall,
And corn and grass are in their season mown,
And time brings down what is both strong and tall.
But plants new set to be eradicate,
And buds new blown to have so short a date,
Is by His hand alone that guides nature and fate correct answers Anne Bradstreet
in memory of my dear grandchild elizabeth
Theme? life is temporary. bradstreet uses fruit and corn which grows then dies as a
natural part of life. a mouring grandmother of her grandchild provides a explantation of
her death.
And to my God my heart did cry
To straighten me in my distress
And not to leave me succourless.
Then, coming out, behold a space
The flame consume my dwelling place.
And when I could no longer look,
, I blest His name that gave and took,
That laid my goods now in the dust.
Yea, so it was, and so 'twas just.
It was His own, it was not mine, correct answers anne bradstreet
upon the burning of the house
theme? its God choice what to take back. God made it and God can reclaim it at any
time. maaterial possessions are not important because God only gave them to you for a
finite amount of time.
Make me, O Lord, thy Spining Wheele compleat.
Thy Holy Worde my Distaff make for mee.
Make mine Affections thy Swift Flyers neate
And make my Soule thy holy Spoole to bee.
My Conversation make to be thy Reele
And reele the yarn thereon spun of thy Wheele. correct answers Edward Taylor
Huswifery
Theme? uselfulness of the poet to God. Taylor asks God to use him as a tool to spread
Gods word. through his poetry he wants to bring more souls to God.
A Curious Knot God made in Paradise,
And drew it out inamled neatly Fresh.
It was the True-Love Knot, more sweet than spice
And set with all the flowres of Graces dress.
Its Weddens Knot, that ne're can be unti'de. correct answers Edward taylor
upon wedlock and death of children
Theme? the marriage bond is unbreakable. if this bond is made no one should be able
to undo it. its foundation to a stronger relationship to produce offspring
But pausing on't, this Sweet perfum'd my thought,
Christ would in Glory have a Flowre, Choice, Prime,
And having Choice, chose this my branch forth brought;
Lord take't. I thanke thee, thou takst ought of mine,
It is my pledg in glory, part of mee
Is now in it, Lord, glorifi'de with thee correct answers edward Taylor
upon wedlock and death of children
Theme? the price that God would take his offspring. Taylor admits that the flower or the
child was Gods to give to him and take back. Taylor feels pride that God chose his
flower to take to heaven.
The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider or some
loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: His wrath
towards you burns like fire; He looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast
into the fire; He is of purer eyes than to bear to have you in His sight; you are ten
thousand times more abominable in His eyes than the most hateful venomous serpent
is in ours. You have offended Him infinitely more than ever a stubborn rebel did his
