Please read the below passage, then answer questions 1-4:
Upon the Burning of Our House
Anne Bradstreet
In silent night when rest I took,
For sorrow near I did not look,
I waken'd was with thund’ring noise
And Piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.
That fearful sound of fire and fire,5
Let no man know is my Desire.
I, starting up, the light did spy,
And to my God my heart did cry
To strengthen me in my Distress
And not to leave me succourless. 10
Then coming out beheld a space,
The flame consume my dwelling place.
And, when I could no longer look,
I blest his Name that gave and took,
That laid my goods now in the dust: 15
Yea so it was, and so 'twas just.
It was his own: it was not mine;
Far be it that I should repine.
He might of All justly bereft,
But yet sufficient for us left. 20
When by the Ruines oft I past,
My sorrowing eyes aside did cast,
And here and there the places spy
Where oft I sate, and long did lye.
Here stood that Trunk, and there that chest; 25
There lay that store I counted best:
My pleasant things in ashes lye,
And them behold no more shall I.
Under thy roof no guest shall sit,
Nor at thy Table eat a bitt.30
No pleasant tale shall 'ere be told,
Nor things recounted done of old.
No Candle 'ere shall shine in Thee,
Nor bridegroom's voice ere heard shall bee.
In silence ever shalt thou lye; 35
Adieu, Adeiu; All's vanity.
Then straight I gin my heart to chide,
And didst thy wealth on earth abide?
Didst fix thy hope on mould'ring dust,
The arm of flesh didst make thy trust? 40
Raise up thy thoughts above the sky
That dunghill mists away may fly.
Thou hast an house on high erect
Fram'd by that mighty Architect,
With glory richly furnished, 45
Stands permanent tho' this bee fled.
It's purchased, and paid for too
By him who hath enough to doe.
A Price so vast as is unknown,
Yet, by his Gift, is made thine own. 50
There's wealth enough, I need no more;
Farewell my Pelf, farewell my Store.
The world no longer let me Love,
My hope and Treasure lyes Above.
After reading lines 13-18, what can you infer about Bradstreet’s beliefs?
a
She believes God punished her by burning her house.
b
She believes God burned her house because she wasn’t devoted enough
c
She believes God will give her enough money to rebuild her house.
d
She believes God is able to give and take away worldly possessions.
Question 2 (5 points)
What textual evidence can you provide to support your answer to #1?
a
Far be it that I should repine.
b
That laid my goods now in the dust:
c
Yea so it was, and so 'twas just.
d
And, when I could no longer look, I blest his Name that gave and took
Question 3 (5 points)
How is the organization of the poem significant to its meaning?
a
Each stanza represents another phase in the speaker's reaction to the fire.
b
Each stanza recounts the night of the fire from a different perspective.
c
Each stanza depicts another issue the speaker must cope with.
d
Each stanza essentially repeats the previous stanza's thought.
Question 4 (5 points)
How does the author’s use of rhyme scheme enhance the theme of the poem?
a
The different rhyming patterns are jarring and mirror the worry and anxiety of the speaker.
b
The rhyming couplets create a tense and harsh mood, indicating God is wrathful and punishing her for her sins.
c
The different rhyming patterns are jarring and mirror the worry and anxiety of the speaker.
d
The rhyme scheme creates a light-hearted, sing-song effect.
Answer 1: d) She believes God is able to give and take away worldly possessions.
Answer 2: d) And, when I could no longer look, I blest his Name that gave and took
Answer 3: a) Each stanza represents another phase in the speaker's reaction to the fire.
Answer 4: c) The different rhyming patterns are jarring and mirror the worry and anxiety of the speaker.
1) d) She believes God is able to give and take away worldly possessions.
2) d) "And, when I could no longer look, I blest his Name that gave and took."
3) a) Each stanza represents another phase in the speaker's reaction to the fire.
4) b) The rhyming couplets create a tense and harsh mood, indicating God is wrathful and punishing her for her sins.