Anne Bradstreet, Puritan Poet: a Poetry Lesson

The best way to study poetry? With history. If you’re studying American history, you need to study Anne Bradstreet, a Puritan poet.

Studying poetry is studying the VERY WORDS of real people who lived during the time period you are studying! So, please take advantage of this rich primary source material by including poetry in your history studies.  Most importantly, when you are studying the American Colonial period, don’t miss studying the poetry of Anne Bradstreet. Her Puritan Christian faith shined through everything she wrote.

Here’s what Charlotte Mason had to say about studying literature (including poetry, such as Anne Bradstreet’s) along with history:

Literature is hardly a distinct subject, so closely is it associated with history…and it is astonishing how much sound learning children acquire when the thought of an age is made to synchronize with its political and social developments. 

A point which I should like to bring before the reader is the peculiar part which poetry plays in making us aware of this thought of the ages, including our own.          C

Charlotte Mason, Vol. 6

As Charlotte Mason suggested, poetry helps illuminate history for us by letting us peek over the shoulder of those who came before us! So please include it in your history studies.

And reading Anne Bradstreet’s poetry is especially useful as a shining Puritan example of good character that we want to teach our children to emulate.

Anne Bradstreet, America’s First Poet

The first woman to be published in the U.S., Anne Bradstreet is often considered to be America’s first poet, even though she was actually born in England. Only married for two years, Anne braved the Atlantic and moved with her young Puritan family to Massachusetts Bay, where her husband and father were eventually each governors of this new United States colony.

Anne’s vivid, beautiful poetry is a window into the intentional strength and faith of the Puritan soul in response to the hardship of life in Colonial America. Therefore, it’s not only historically beneficial, but it’s also a useful perspective to us spiritually.  Her courage, love for her family, work ethic, and persistence are character qualities we want for our kids.

Below is one of Anne’s poignant poems followed by lesson plan ideas to use for your high school-aged students.

Here followes some verses upon the burning of our house, July 10th, 1666.

by Anne Bradstreet

In silent night when rest I took,
For sorrow neer I did not look,
I waken’d was with thundring nois
And Piteous shreiks of dreadfull voice.
That fearfull sound of fire and fire,
Let no man know is my Desire.
I, starting up, the light did spye,
And to my God my heart did cry
To strengthen me in my Distresse
And not to leave me succourlesse.
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 layd my goods now in the dust:
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.
When by the Ruines oft I past,
My sorrowing eyes aside did cast,
And here and there the places spye
Where oft I sate, and long did lye.

Here stood that Trunk, and there that chest;
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 sitt,
Nor at thy Table eat a bitt.

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;
Adieu, Adeiu; All’s vanity.

Then streight I gin my heart to chide,
And didst thy wealth on earth abide?
Didst fix thy hope on mouldring dust,
The arm of flesh didst make thy trust?
Raise up thy thoughts above the skye
That dunghill mists away may flie.

Thou hast an house on high erect
Fram’d by that mighty Architect,
With glory richly furnished,
Stands permanent tho’ this bee fled.
It’s purchased, and paid for too
By him who hath enough to doe.

A Prise so vast as is unknown,
Yet, by his Gift, is made thine own.
Ther’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.

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How to Read Poetry

No matter the age of your students, the following are basic steps to reading poetry, as presented in How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading.

The first half is a must-read for beginning high school students. Not only does it teach your kids to read poetry, but also how to actively read anything. I give you permission right now to only read the first half of the book.

Okay, back to how to read poetry.

First, read the poem through the first time without stopping. Even though there are unfamiliar words and phrases, you will understand much more by first reading the poem through without stopping to figure out the vocabulary.

After that, read the poem through a second time, but this time read it aloud. Poetry’s inherent rhythm brings words and phrases to life.

Now, during the third time reading the poem, you may start asking what the poem is saying.

The more you read it, the more the poem can speak to you.

Teaching poetry to younger students

In true Charlotte Mason fashion, resist the urge to “teach” this poem. Instead, allow the poem to speak directly to your student. And this particular poem will be more suitable for older late/mature elementary students and above.

For elementary students, just focus on reading the poem. If you anticipate your student becoming frightened about your house burning down, remind him that during Colonial times candles were used for light and most household items were of wood, so house fires were much more common than today. (Although we ALWAYS have to be careful of fire, etc…)

For an older elementary or middle school-aged student, read a stanza aloud, one at a time, and have your student narrate (tell back) what s/he has heard.  Record your student’s thoughts for each stanza.  You may also have your middle/high school student provide a written narration.

After the narration is complete, you may ask your student to describe how the author feels about what happened, especially if this was not included in the original narration.  Your student may also ask you questions about the poem, which is fine, but try to be brief in your answers. Even better, have him list his questions and seek the answer first in the poem itself. If your student shows particular interest in any poem, encourage questions, re-reading and further observation.

Of course, younger students will miss the biblical allusions and will focus on the more ‘concrete’ aspects of this poem, as is normal for their stage of development.

You may choose to read other poems by Anne Bradstreet while studying the American Colonial period, as Charlotte Mason advocated reading one poet at a time, for six weeks or more.  For the younger set, focus mainly on reading and enjoying the poems.

Teaching poetry to high school students

High school students should initially approach the poem in the same way recommended earlier. First by reading the poem in its entirety, without stopping; then reading the poem a second time, aloud, again without stopping.

Most high school students would benefit by reading this poem through every day for a week or more. As it is rich in biblical allusions and principles and Puritan theology, the discerning student will learn much by re-reading.

Assignment Possibilities for your high school student:

Additional Assignment Ideas from our American Literature High School Course:

For additional reading on Anne Bradstreet:

• Beyond Statliest Marble: The Passionate Femininity of Anne Bradstreet (Leaders in Action)
• Anne Bradstreet: a Guided Tour of the Life and Thought of a Puritan Poet
• To My Husband and Other Poems

For excellent reading concerning the Puritans:

You might be surprised to find out that the Puritans weren’t at all like how they are often portrayed.  Read their inspiring prayers in The Valley of Vision and more about their lives in Worldly Saints. I bet you’re going to be surprised that they aren’t the joyless people they were often made out to be!

Anne Bradstreet is a poet you don’t want to miss when you study Colonial America!

So is poetry something you enjoy reading at your house, or do you struggle to include it? Have you ever read Anne Bradstreet’s poetry?

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