Puritan Poetry

Doorknobs and The Divine
Society rarely notes the prominence of doorknobs in its function, but there is no denying that they are indeed vital. Though commonplace, doorknobs are the very essence of modern life. Both doorknobs and the divine allow entry into new, unknown places and allow one to lock oneself where they are safe. Much like a doorknob is to modern society, God was to the Puritan society. Instrumental to all parts of their life, religion played a part in their every doing. This becomes clear upon the reading of Anne Bradstreet’s “To My Dear and Loving Husband” and “Upon The Burning of Our House.”
“To My Dear and Loving Husband” appears to be a love poem at first glance. However, upon analysis, readers may recognize the double meaning behind the poem’s carefully chosen words. She describes herself and her husband as “one” (Line 1), which to some may indicate that they mesh well enough to seem to meld into one contiguous person. However, Puritans strived to have a relationship with God in which He became a part of them, in which they were one with their Lord. In an elaborate string of similes, she states that she values their love “more than whole Mines of gold” (5), holding it in such high esteem that perhaps it could be considered a heavenly experience. Considering that she loves her husband so intensely, it should come as no surprise that they should love both “while [they] live” (11) as well as “when [they] live no more” (12). These lines take on a celestial tone, implying that both of them-- as Puritan elect-- will continue to love one another in heaven. The tone of this piece is very adoring, which makes sense considering that it is a love piece for both her husband and God. The premise of an earthly marriage is no doubt commonplace, but it sets a perfect scene for a description of her love for God and lends a highly important meaning to the otherwise mundane piece.
“Upon The Burning of Our House”, too, takes an earthly event and transforms...