Anne Bradstreet's Poem Analysis

Author

• Anne Bradstreet is recognized as the first woman to publish a book of poetry in the British colonies.

Poem Style

• "Upon the Burning of Our House" embodies a Puritan meditation, a reflective form focused on spiritual themes.

Puritan Meditation

• This writing style employs a three-part structure that explores the symbolism found in everyday occurrences.

Parts of a Puritan Meditation

• The three parts consist of:
  • Summary: Outlining the events or themes.
  • Interpretation: Analyzing their significance.
  • Resolution: Concluding thoughts or lessons learned.

Poem's Subject

• The poem expresses Anne Bradstreet's sorrow over her home burning down, emphasizing the loss of material possessions and cherished memories.

Conclusion of the Poem

• The poem resolves with the notion that the house of God holds greater importance than earthly possessions, reinforcing a spiritual perspective.

Major Conflict

• A central conflict arises between the spiritual riches of Heaven and the material wealth found on Earth, highlighting a tension between temporary and eternal values.

Most Important "Home"

• For Anne Bradstreet, the House of the Lord is ultimately emphasized as the most significant dwelling over any earthly home.

Structure of the Poem

• The poem is structured in couplets written in iambic tetrameter, which contributes to its rhythmic flow.

Rhyme Scheme

• The rhyme scheme follows a pattern of couplet rhymes, indicated as aa, bb, cc.

Feet per Line

• Each line of the poem consists of five feet, aligning with the iambic tetrameter structure.

Tone of the Poem

• The tone transitions through various emotions, beginning with shock, moving to wistfulness, and culminating in a sense of hope.