Download Notes on Edward Taylor`s

Edward Taylor
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Puritan Minister
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Like Bradstreet, wrote poetry for self reflection
Also wrote to instruct congregation in Puritan
values
Never published, just shared with friends and
community
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“Huswifery”
Tablework—Read thru the poem and get the following in
your notes
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Stanza 1: What is the speaker asking God to do to him/her?
What will he/she produce in this stanza?
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Stanza 2: What is the speaker asking God to make him or her?
What will he or she produce in this stanza?
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Paraphrase the stanza
Paraphrase the stanza
Stanza 3: What is the speaker asking God to do in this stanza?
What is the final result of the work of stanzas 1 and 2
Theme: What message is Taylor trying to send to Puritan women
through this poem?
What is the Rhyme Scheme of the poem?
What is the meter of the poem?
“Huswifery”
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Definition: the business of a housewife; female
domestic economy and skill
Compares the household task of making
clothing with the gift of God’s salvation.
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This extended metaphor expresses Edward
Taylor’s deep belief in God and celebrates the
divine presence in daily life.
The poem is like a prayer imploring God to guide
the speaker to do God’s will.
By submitting to God’s will, the speaker hopes to
achieve eternal salvation.
“Huswifery” Analysis
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Extended Metaphor/Conceit (an extended metaphor
that covers the entire poem)
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Speaker compares herself to
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spinning wheel to yarn to loom to cloth to holy robes
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Theme: What message is Taylor trying to send to
Puritan women through this poem?
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represent steps the speaker hopes she can follow in life to glorify God and
to achieve a state of grace.
That every aspect of their daily like should revolve around
glorifying God and preparing themselves for salvation
Rhyme Scheme: ababcc/dedeff/ghghii
Meter: Iambic Pentameter
“Huswifery” Copy Change
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Now, try your hand at poetry.
Consider some activity you love to do
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Playing video games
Talking/Texting/Tweeting using your cell
Watching tv and chilling
Break the activity down into its component
parts
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The tv, the controllers, the game disc
Plug in the components into the copy change
template