Anne Bradstreet

The bible enlightens, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21). Anne Bradstreet’s bases her poem upon this notion manifested as an extended metaphor. Along with the poem, the speaker’s tone is quite radical, ranging from calm (Line 1), helpless (Line 10), selfless (Line 16), and nostalgic (Lines 21-34); consequently, contradicting the entire nature of the poem. Perhaps, the speaker is trying to express an idea of complete devotion to God and detachment of material possessions, whilst her own lines give out the nature of flawed human beings. Anne Bradstreet was a puritan, the majority of her poems have themes that reference the relationship with God and how imperative it is to live our lives purely and as instruments at His disposal. In this poem, the speaker struggles with this whole perception. Revealing that human nature cannot be set aside. A man is an animal and it is his nature to follow his instincts and desires. Which
The speaker farewells all material she once held. Another biblical reference from Matthew and Luke, “And why thy wealth on earth abide?” (Line 38). From Psalms, “The arm of flesh didst make thy thrust?” She gives in to God, let go of all sin, and set her mind in heaven (Line 41). A portrayal of her house is given, but, a Holy house. One that is “framed by that mighty Architect” (Line 44), that waits for her permanently (Line 46). “Verses upon the Burning of our House” ends with the same tone as it began, calm and peaceful; conceivable that she wants to manifest another theme, that everything falls back to place, but that’s set aside for another