To My Dear And Loving Husband Flashcards
What literary technique is used in the line ‘To my dear and loving husband’?
Direct Address: The speaker addresses her husband directly, establishing intimacy.
What do the adjectives ‘dear’ and ‘loving’ convey?
They emphasize the speaker’s affection and emotional investment in the relationship.
What literary device is used in ‘I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold’?
Hyperbole: An exaggerated comparison to express the immeasurable value of love.
What does ‘gold’ symbolize in the poem?
Gold symbolizes wealth and material value, contrasting with the intangible love.
What is the significance of ‘mines’ in the phrase ‘whole mines of gold’?
Synecdoche: It suggests abundance and serves as a metaphor for ultimate riches.
What does ‘the East’ refer to in the line about riches?
Metonymy: It evokes notions of foreign luxury and vast wealth associated with Eastern trade.
What literary technique is employed in the phrase ‘My love is such that Rivers cannot quench’?
Metaphor: Compares love to a powerful force that cannot be extinguished.
What does the personification of ‘rivers’ imply?
It endows rivers with human-like characteristics, suggesting they can act on love.
What is the effect of syntactic inversion in ‘Nor ought but love from thee give recompence’?
It emphasizes ‘ought but love,’ giving the sentence a formal tone.
What does ‘recompence’ suggest in the context of the poem?
Ambiguity: It refers to a reward for love, implying a sacred transaction.
What contrast is highlighted in ‘Thy love is such I can no way repay’?
Antithesis: It shows the paradox of acknowledging the impossibility of returning profound love.
What tone does the speaker convey in acknowledging her husband’s love?
Tone of humility: She admits her husband’s love exceeds her capacity to repay.
What does ‘The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray’ imply?
Allusion: It invokes a divine force to bless her husband, framing their love cosmically.
What is the imperative in ‘Then while we live, in love let’s so persevere’?
The imperative ‘let’s’ conveys a strong desire to maintain love throughout their lives.
What literary device is used in the phrase ‘live’ and ‘love’?
Consonance: The repeated ‘l’ sounds create a harmonious effect.
What paradox is presented in ‘That when we live no more, we may live ever’?
Paradox: It suggests that love transcends death, allowing them to ‘live ever.’
What concept does the line about love extending beyond death relate to?
Metaphysical Conceit: It ties into the tradition of emotional ties having eternal consequences.
What does the phrase acknowledge regarding mortality?
Anticipation of Mortality: It acknowledges mortality while asserting the endurance of love.
What political context influenced Anne Bradstreet’s writing?
The poem was written during the Colonial Era in New England, a time when the Puritans were establishing a theocratic society in Massachusetts Bay Colony. Authority was held by male ministers and magistrates, and women’s political rights were very limited.
How did Anne Bradstreet’s situation differ from other women of her time?
Anne Bradstreet was able to publish her poetry with the assistance of her husband, which was uncommon for women in her society, where public presence was constrained by strict norms.
What is the significance of a woman writing poetry in Puritan society?
The act of a woman writing and publishing poetry in a male-dominated society was politically significant, subtly challenging gender expectations.
What was the economic focus of Puritan settlers in New England?
The Puritan settlers were primarily focused on agriculture and self-sufficiency, often centered on survival in challenging conditions.
What was the economic status of the Bradstreet family?
The Bradstreet family was modestly affluent; Simon Bradstreet served as a governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which likely provided Anne with the freedom to engage in literary pursuits.
What does ‘To My Dear and Loving Husband’ reflect about Puritan beliefs?
The poem reflects the Puritan belief that spiritual and familial bonds are more valuable than material wealth, emphasizing love as more precious than riches.
What religious beliefs influenced Anne Bradstreet’s writing?
The Puritans adhered to a strict form of Protestantism that emphasized Scripture, personal piety, and God’s sovereignty, influencing Bradstreet’s expressions of gratitude and alignment with divine will.
How does the poem ‘To My Dear and Loving Husband’ align with Puritan marriage views?
The poem reflects the idealized Puritan marriage, emphasizing mutual respect, love, and devotion, aligning with Puritan ideals of a harmonious and God-centered marriage.
What challenges did Anne Bradstreet face in her personal life?
Bradstreet faced challenges such as living in a harsh colonial environment, raising eight children, and managing the household, which influenced her writing.
What themes does Anne Bradstreet explore in her poetry?
Bradstreet explores themes of deep emotional connection, spiritual love, and individual agency, asserting her voice in a society that restricted women’s roles.
What literary influences shaped Anne Bradstreet’s work?
Bradstreet was influenced by metaphysical poetry and classical literary traditions, valuing themes of virtue, honor, and eternal love.
What poetic form does ‘To My Dear and Loving Husband’ utilize?
The poem is written in rhymed couplets, a form popularized by poets like John Donne and George Herbert, blending personal emotion with spiritual themes.
What stylistic elements are present in the poem?
The poem employs hyperbole, elevated language, and symbolism, elevating marital love to a spiritual level and reflecting the Puritan belief in spiritual riches.
How does the poem’s structure contribute to its themes?
The regularity of the rhymed couplet structure suggests harmony and stability, aligning with the poem’s theme of a well-ordered and blessed marriage.
