Comparing Bradstreet And Edward Taylor

Although metaphors seem to be simple and easily understood, they possess the ability to give extra details about a writers beliefs and opinions. By dissecting language, the simplicity of a metaphor can lead to further intellect in an author and show something at a deeper, more precise level. Analyzing connotations, structure, and relationship leads to the discovery of ideologies and understanding. Spiritual truth is often communicated through the use of common, familiar objects. By the use of a simple rhetorical device, Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor effectively communicate their writing style through metaphors, which illustrates their Puritan ideology.
To explain her religious thoughts, emotions, and views, Anne Bradstreet connects her

spiritual beliefs to the Kingdom of God through the use of metaphors in Upon the Burning of our House.

As she analyzes back on her life while her house is engulfed in flames, she thinks, “Didst fix thy hope on mouldring dust the arm of flesh didst make thy trust?” (lines 39-14). Rather than relating her hope to God’s abundant grace, she points it toward “dust”. Bradstreet questions herself and contemplates if she placed her wealth on earth instead of placing her trust in God. Structurally, she compares, “the arm of flesh”(line 40) to God’s trust, emphasizing the antithesis between the two. The arm of flesh explains man, relating to their sinful, imperfect nature. Man is imperfect, but God accepts man for who they are. Bradstreet’s axiological views show how she valued earthy possessions opposed to God’s love. She is appalled that she would put all her worth in her a temporary, crumbling, ruinous house when God provides eternal, gracious love. Because of this, she feels like a failure , no longer worthy of the Lord’s eternal grace. The style of the

metaphor illustrates how Bradstreet used to value earthly materials and how she now values God and his kingdom. Rather than forming her trust on earth’s decaying, temporary aspects, her soteriological views lead her to, “raise up thy thoughts above the sky” (line 41), which relates to her Puritan ideology. Instead of her morality obstructing her view of God, she connects back to his limitless, lively love . The effectiveness of the metaphor compares her earthly life to the Kingdom of God. Bradstreet’s metaphor elaborates on her materialistic life while connecting to the Puritan Ideology of God continuously being there for man despite their corrupted, evil nature.
Edward Taylor fills Huswifery with metaphors, which connects to his spiritual views, elaborating on his relationship with God. Obeying the Puritan religion and developing a closer bond to God and his kingdom is depicted throughout the poem. He constantly compares his connection with God to the parts of a spinning, weaving wheel. He desires the wheel to emulate his walk with the Lord. By dissecting each mechanical part of the wheel, he requires it to, “make my Soule thy holy Spoole to be. My conversation make to be thy “Reele” (line 5). Taylor wants his heart to be a “spoole”, which is what the yarn is wrapped around. In this process of weaving, it extremely important the yard doesn’t get tangled, but instead stays straight with perfect alignment. If the string becomes entangled, the whole process creates imperfection in the piece, which connects to his theological views of always bring close to the trinity. He wants desires for God to consume all of him, neatly apply him to where he needs to be, and keep the momentum in his life. Conversation is something that can make man simple, but should be “thy Reele” (line 5). Words should be Godly, and stray away from man’s evil nature. A guard should be put over man’s mouth and let the one that reigns have the power. Taylor’s repetition of being similar to a spinning wheele empowers God and emphasizes human nature’s flaws. The Puritan sociology ultimately portrays the Lord’s will to suffer for mankind in the presence of being omnipotent, forgiving, and willing.
Metaphors have the power to give further diction and details. They are able to more clearly illustrate a scene, giving it more information. Although metaphors are often skimmed over, they are not to be taken for granted. The initial, main meaning could be hidden in metaphorical language. Both Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor display their values by effectively using metaphors. By doing this, they display their ideological beliefs in God and their devotion to the Puritan religion.