FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE, POETIC DEVICES, AND ANNE BRADSTREET Puritan Poet

 Personification – where an object, animal, or idea is given human characteristics. Authors use it to give greater meaning to their texts.  The flowers waltzed in the gentle breeze.  The news took me by surprise.  Hyperbole – when the truth is exaggerated for emphasis. Authors use it to catch readers’ attentions.  It was so cold, I saw polar bears wearing jackets.  Her brain is the size of a pea. Figurative Language

To Help You Clarify Meaning  Archaic language – words that were once in common use but are now considered old fashioned or out-of- date  “To thine own self be true” (Hamlet by William Shakespeare).  Inverted syntax – sentence structure in which the expected order of words is reversed. Poets use it to help their rhyme schemes or rhythms.  “Whose words these are I think I know” {Robert Frost}

Figurative Language  Metaphor – compares two unlike things without using like or as  Her heart was icy  Extended metaphor – draws out a comparison and relates the two things at length over several sentences or lines. The comparison is sometimes extended throughout an entire work (allegory).  Her heart was icy. Her blood was frosty, and her ventricles filled with icicles. Her words turned to ice cubes that stung each time she threw hateful names.

Extended Metaphor  "I graduated from the University of Life. All right? I received a degree from the School of Hard Knocks. And our colors were black and blue, baby. I had office hours with the Dean of Bloody Noses. I borrowed my class notes from Professor Knuckle Sandwich and his Teaching Assistant, Ms. Fat Lip.” -Will Ferrell, Commencement Address at Harvard University

Practice  Use the Extended Metaphor Practice sheet to better understand what an extended metaphor is.  Example: As sly as a cat As arrogant as a king A cat is a king. It walks around the house ruling everything. The others serve it and tend to its every need while it never shows the slightest sign of gratitude.  Example: As dainty as a daisy As smooth as a newborn baby A daisy is a newborn baby, beautiful yet delicate. One wrong move and it will fall apart. If cared for, it can grow into something beautiful and strong.

Figurative Language Our burning house was a ghost, Moaning in mournful despair; Its memories gasping for breath, Its bones turned to smoky air.  Identify the figurative language in this passage

Puritan Beliefs  Puritans believed in the absolute sovereignty of God – the idea that God is in complete control of events. Only those who devote their lives to God have a chance to make it to Heaven.  Anne Bradstreet reveals that belief by interpreting her personal subject matter through a religious lens.  Everything carries a divine message; each blessing or loss reveals God’s will and an opportunity for spiritual growth.

Anne Bradstreet ( )  1st notable American poet  Born in England; raised on estate & educated  Married at 16, then traveled to Massachusetts with John Winthrop  Father and husband both prominent and successful men in Puritan society  Faith & writing poetry helped her deal with loneliness  Friend of Anne Hutchinson; saw that intelligent women were devalued  1650 brother-in-law published poems without her knowledge

To My Dear and Loving Husband  Follow along in your text as you listen to the poem.  Listen/look for: Hyperbole Inverted Syntax Archaic Language Personification  How does Bradstreet express both her love for her husband and for God?

Upon the Burning of Our House July 10 th, 1666  Follow along in your text as you listen to the poem.  Look for: Inverted Syntax Archaic Language Extended Metaphor

Discussion  What vivid memories does the speaker have of the house that has been destroyed?  What events had the speaker hoped to experience in that house?  How does the speaker envision the house that will be hers after her death?