Anne Bradstreet Essay

540 Words3 Pages
Ideas on Anne Bradstreet’s “Here Follows Some Verses upon the Burning of Our House, July 10th, 1666” a. Anne Bradstreet’s poem from personal experience “Here Follows Some Verses upon the Burning of Our House, July 10th, 1666” was published in 1867. a. Anne Bradstreet was awakened in the night to find her house on fire. She not only witnessed her home, but all of her possessions being consumed by the fire. She sadly recounts particular items and the place they once had in the house. However, her tone quickly changes from sadness of things lost to appreciation of what lies ahead. Bradstreet gives glory to God once she refocuses on the heavenly home she will inherit. b. Devastated by the loss of her possessions during the burning of her home, Bradstreet proves that her faith in God and the home awaiting her in heaven outweigh the loss of her worldly belongings. b. Bradstreet is awakened during the night to the horrific sight of her home burning. Even during the initial moments of distress she calls on God for help and comfort. a. “I wakened was with thund’ring noise, And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice, That fearful sound of ‘Fire!’ and ‘Fire!’” b. As Bradstreet went towards the noise she realized her house truly was on fire i. “I, starting up, the light did spy, And to my God my heart did cry” ii. During the horrific moments of her home being consumed with fire she still manages to call on God for help c. After the initial shock of the fire, Bradstreet’s tone transitions from sadness to hopefulness as she glorifies God. a. God can take as easily as he gives. i. Bradstreet comes to terms with the loss. d. Bradstreet shifts focus back to the possessions, describing some of the items that were consumed during the burning of her house. It is made clear that she is deeply hurt by her earthly possessions
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