Edward Taylor (c. 1645 – 1729)

Edward Taylor Born in Leicestershire, England circa 1645. Not much is know about him before his arrival in Boston in 1668. Admitted to Harvard; graduated in 1671. Went to settlement of Westfield as minister & remained there for the rest of his life. Married twice 14 children Acted as physician for town as well as being their spiritual leader.

Edward Taylor Although his poems were composed in the late 17th & early 18th centuries, they were not made available to the reading public until over 200 years later. Fundamental religious ideas were identical to those of John Calvin (Calvinism). His library contained only one book of poetry: a copy of Anne Bradstreet’s collection. In reading his poetry, we must be willing to place ourselves imaginatively in the world of the 17th century Puritan Calvinism where the devil is taken seriously and literally and a few saints are battling a great many sinners. We must be willing to accept the artificial rhetorical style of the 17th century metaphysical poets. Seems awkward to us today because we are used to reading more harmonious verses of the Romantic and Victorian writers. Also, must remember that poetry writing was not his primary preoccupation.

Edward Taylor Manuscript of his works inherited by his grandson, Ezra Stiles. Respected injunction that “his heirs should never publish it.” Given to library at Yale during Stiles’ presidency there. Remained there until their discovery in 1937.

Edward Taylor His activities as a preacher in the wilderness takes on significance of his poetry. Had they been different, his poetry would not be what it is. His preaching so influenced his poetry that the poems lose their full importance if separated from his sermons. Activities as a preacher in the wilderness takes on new significance Had they been different, his poetry would not be what it is. His mysticism made him publicly a preacher just as it made him privately a poet. His preaching so influenced his poetry that the poems lose their full importance if separated from his sermons.

Edward Taylor 2 groups of poems: Preparatory Meditations God’s Determinations Both groups (in different ways) promulgate his Puritan Calvinism. Employed a poetical style that was derived chiefly from 2 sources: The Bible (esp. Song of Solomon & Revelation) Poetry he read as young schoolboy (John Donne & other metaphysicals) His place in literary history of America is determined by 2 groups of poems: Preparatory meditations God’s Determinations.

Edward Taylor Collection of sermons “Christographia” Composed sermons at 6-week intervals After each one – before delivering it – he composed the poetic meditation. Regarded his meditations as sacramental acts of private devotion & worship. Used them for the cleansing of his soul & to put him in the correct spiritual frame of mind In preparation for administering Lord’s Supper In preparation for his eternal heavenly union with Christ The meditations are primarily acts of spiritual introspection in which the poet prays to Christ to enable him to discern in himself the Lord’s body and thus make him worthy of administering the sacrament to his congregation.

Edward Taylor Primarily were addressed to God or to Christ (and not to any other reader, public or private). More than 200 preparatory meditations preserved All are entirely religious in subject matter. Motivated by poet’s sincere and intense religious beliefs.

Edward Taylor Meditations Are what their title suggests: an act of contemplation expressing profound & pious emotions. According to Louis Marz, in The Meditative Poem: An Anthology of 17th Century Verse, the poem’s “central meditative action consists of an interior drama, in which a man projects a self upon a mental stage, and there comes to understand that self in the light of a divine presence.”

Edward Taylor Taylor frequently begins his meditations with an intellectual or reasoned consideration of his condition or a Biblical verse before feeling an emotional intensity, sometimes ecstasy, that comes with the understanding of God’s greatness and/or his own confidence of being one of the saved. His poetic imagination springs from his religious struggle and faith.

Edward Taylor Meditations Followed clearly defined organizational method Rely on the same structure 6-line stanzas Iambic pentameter ababcc rhyme scheme suggests that writing poetry is a ritualistic activity a means to an end and not an end itself

Edward Taylor Meditations Followed clearly defined organizational method Involved 3 faculties of the soul Memory Understanding Will

Edward Taylor Meditations Subject matter is heavenly doctrine supplied by the memory This doctrine is analyzed & comprehended by the understanding or reason Once understood, the affections of the will (emotions) are aroused in this order: Love Desire Hope Courage Joy

Edward Taylor Meditations Subject Emotion Original Sin Christ’s saving grace Possibility of personal salvation Emotion Despair Joy Hope

Edward Taylor Content & structure of God’s Determinations: Begins with the damned: depiction of man’s fallen estate, original sin, his own sins Depicts Christ and redemptive power; vision of the elect. Concludes with a plea to Christ (hope). Final lines state that he will sing the praises of Christ if he is among the elect. God’s determinations designed to console and reassure believing Christians that it is possible to find in themselves the signs of saving grace & so, rejecting the tempatations of satan, & partake of the Lord’s supper. GD may have been written to prepare the congregation for the sacrament; may have read some or all of them to the congregation.

Edward Taylor Imagery used by Taylor (from Norman Grabo) : Images of writing Images of warfare Images of metallurgy Images of gardens & vegetation Images of feasting & communion Images of spinning & weaving

Edward Taylor Recurrent theme: Fear that his heart has grown cold toward God and the hope that, through God’s grace, his affections will be warmed.

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