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Questions and Answers
What date does the poem 'Upon the Burning of Our House' refer to?
What date does the poem 'Upon the Burning of Our House' refer to?
- June 10, 1666
- July 10, 1666 (correct)
- July 10, 1665
- August 10, 1666
Who is the author of 'Upon the Burning of Our House'?
Who is the author of 'Upon the Burning of Our House'?
Anne Bradstreet
Who is the speaker in the poem?
Who is the speaker in the poem?
A woman whose house is burning
What is the occasion of the poem?
What is the occasion of the poem?
Who is the audience of the poem?
Who is the audience of the poem?
What is the purpose of the poem?
What is the purpose of the poem?
What is the subject of the poem?
What is the subject of the poem?
What is the tone of the poem?
What is the tone of the poem?
Provide evidence for the purpose of the poem.
Provide evidence for the purpose of the poem.
What is the second part of the poem about?
What is the second part of the poem about?
What is the meaning of 'Then straight I 'gin my heart to chide, And did thy wealth on earth abide? Didst fix thy hope on mold'ring dust? The are of flesh didst make thy trust? Raise up thy thoughts above they sky That dunghill mists away may fly.'?
What is the meaning of 'Then straight I 'gin my heart to chide, And did thy wealth on earth abide? Didst fix thy hope on mold'ring dust? The are of flesh didst make thy trust? Raise up thy thoughts above they sky That dunghill mists away may fly.'?
What is the meaning of 'Thou hast a house on high erect, Framed by that mighty Architect, With glory richly furnished, Stands permanent and paid for too By Him who hath enough to do.'?
What is the meaning of 'Thou hast a house on high erect, Framed by that mighty Architect, With glory richly furnished, Stands permanent and paid for too By Him who hath enough to do.'?
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Study Notes
Poem Overview
- Title: "Upon the Burning of Our House"
- Date: July 10, 1666
- Author: Anne Bradstreet, the first published American poet
Poem Elements
- Speaker: A woman reflecting on her home burning.
- Occasion: The traumatic event of her house being consumed by fire.
- Audience: The speaker addresses herself, contemplating her loss.
- Purpose: To convey that material possessions are insignificant compared to spiritual wealth.
Tone and Themes
- Tone: A journey from lamentation and grief to hope and acceptance.
- Subject: The loss of the speaker's home and the emotional turmoil it causes.
Evidence Supporting Purpose
- Quote: "And when I could no longer look, I blest His name that gave and took," shows acceptance of God's will and the transient nature of belongings.
- The speaker acknowledges that everything earthly is temporary.
Poems' Structure and Reflections
- Second Part: Memorabilia and reflections on past experiences in the now-ruined home.
- Lines like "My sorrowing eyes aside did cast" show the speaker's deep sense of loss tied to personal memories associated with the space.
Materialism vs. Spiritual Richness
- Critical Reflection: The lines questioning the placement of hope in "mold'ring dust" emphasize the futility of clinging to material wealth.
- The speaker challenges herself to elevate her thoughts above earthly concerns.
Eternal Perspective
- Quote: "Thous hast an house on high erect," indicates faith in a divine, eternal dwelling provided by God, contrasting the destruction of her physical home with the promise of spiritual permanence.
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