Desiderio

HayleyDesiderio
Ms.McManigal
AdvancedEnglish2,Period5
26May2014
UpontheBurningofOurHouse
Inthepoem,UpontheBurningofOurHouse,AnneBradstreetunveilsaspiritual
messagetoheraudience.BradstreetenforcesthethemethatmaterialpossessionsonEarthare
onlytemporary,andwealthcannotcompetewiththerichesofHeavenandGod.Sheexemplifies
thisthemeusingtone,andimagery.Atthestartofthepoem,Bradstreetstoneseemstobe
frightenedbecauseshe[was]wakendwiththundringnoise/AndPiteousshreiksofdreadfull
voiceinmiddleofhersleeping(Lines34).Shewakesuponlytofindthatherhouseisonfire
andshebeginscryingtoGodtostrengthenherinherdistress.Afteratimeofgrievingsheblest
hisName[who]gaveandtookandcametoarealizationthatallthatburnedwashisown:it
wasnot[herown](1417).ThisquoteshowsBradstreetcomingintorealizationthatallofher
belongingsthathadburnedwereallmaterialhereonEarthandwouldbeofnosignificanceto
heronceshewasgone.AnneBradstreetalsohighlightedthethemeofherpoemusingimagery.
Forexample,sheexplainstheheartacheshefirstfeelswhensheseesherhomeisgonebutthen
shethinks,FarbeitthatIshouldrepine(18).Atfirst,shewasovercomewiththundring
noise/AndPiteousshreiksofdreadfullvoice./Thatfearfullsoundoffireandfire(35).
However,asthepoemprogressestheimagerychangesfromscaredanddarkimagesinthe
readershead,toaplaceofserenity.ShebeingstofeelblessedbyGodthatthesethingshavebeen
takenfromher.Sheimaginesshehastanhouseonhigherect/.../Withgloryrichlyfurnished

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andalifethatamountstowaymorethantheoneshelivesonEarth.Theseexamplesofimagery
helpthereaderenvisionthechangethatshehasgonethroughintheprogressionofthepoem.It
alsohighlightsherthemethatmaterialpossessionsareonlytemporaryonEarthandwealthcan
notcompetewiththerichesofHeavenandGod.