Anne Bradstreet

1
Anne BradstreetUpon the Burning of Our House

• Rhetorical Revelations
• What does her language reveal?

2

• Interpret What philosophical beliefs about God
  and the purpose of human life are reflected in
  this poem?
• Draw Conclusions Pelf usually refers to wealth
  acquired dishonestly. Why do you think the
  speaker calls her treasures pelf in line 52?
  What other word choices imply meaningful
  connotations? Explain.
• Analyze Draw a line after the line that marks the
  turning point in this poem. Explain your
  decision.
• Infer In Christian teachings, with what is fire
  usually associated? How might this metaphorical
  meaning of fire influence the speakers decision
  to love the divine instead of the material?
• Evaluate Bradstreets poem portrays an internal
  debate between love for material goods and love
  for the divine. Choose one side of this debate
  and explain your choice.

3
With a partner, dissect the poem.

• Identify details that express Annes deep sense
  of loss.
• Where does Anne seem to warn herself against her
  affection for worldly things?
• Find use of figures of speech and determine what
  they might reveal.
• Contrast can be an effective rhetorical device.
  Explore Annes contrasting language portraying
  distress and serenity.