Colonial Period (1620–1830)

Question 1: Interpret the meaning of the following except from Anne Bradstreet’s “The Prologue,” and explain what the author is trying to say about women in Puritan society. I am obnoxious to each carping tongue, Who says my hand a needle better fits; A poet’s pen all scorn I should thus wrong, For such despite they cast on female wits, If what I do prove well, it won’t advance; They’ll say it’s stol’n, or else it was by chance.

Answer 1: The excerpt from Anne Bradstreet’s “The Prologue” is suggesting that, as a woman, her place is in the home only, and perhaps her hand is better suited for sewing than writing. She further states that if she does happen to compose something that is quite good, she will not get credit for it, as men will claim her work was by chance, or perhaps even stolen from someone else. Bradstreet is expressing her frustration with the prevalent attitude in Puritan society that a woman who dared to express intelligence or a desire to accomplish something outside of the home was unfeminine, and even unacceptable. Through tongue-and-cheek expression, she acknowledges that she understands her role in Puritan society, but does not agree with it.

There are lots of good resources about Colonial Period that you can find available.

Question 2: In Edward Taylor’s “Upon a Spider Catching a Fly,” he compares a spider’s treatment of a wasp caught in his web (“And with his little fingers stroke and gently tap his back”) with that of a fly: “Thou by the throate tookst hastily, and ‘hinde the head Bite Dead.” Explain what the spider, the wasp and the fly represent in this poem, and what Taylor is trying to tell the reader.

Answer 2: In Edward Taylor’s “Upon a Spider Catching a Fly,” the spider represents Satan, and the wasp and the fly two types of sinners caught in his “web.” In this “dance of death,” the fly is weak and becomes the spider’s prey with little to no effort. The wasp, on the other hand, may get caught in Satan’s web, but manages to find the strength to escape. The weak fly represents the unsaved. Satan easily devours it because it is unarmed. And while the wasp is still vulnerable to getting caught in the web, it has the strength of salvation to escape, despite Satan’s soothing and seductive ways. Taylor warns that we are all sinners, and to be aware of Satan’s entrapments, as they can be aimed at us either directly or indirectly. As we see with the wasp, it is only through salvation that we have any hope of escaping this danger.

Question 3: Discuss what these passages from Philip Freneau’s “The Indian Burying Ground” say about Indian culture concerning the dead.In spite of all l the learned have said, I still my old opinion keep, The posture, that we give the dead, Points out the soul’s eternal sleep.Not so the ancients of these lands—The Indian, when from life released, Again is seated with his friends, And shares again the joyous feast.

Answer 3: Philip Freneau is describing the way Indian tribes buried their dead in a sitting posture, as opposed to the white man’s tradition of placing the dead in the posture of “sleep.” In the first passage, he is stating that the lying down posture indicates western culture’s belief in the eternal sleep of the soul, thus death is an event of great sadness in which mourning is the tradition. This is in direct contrast to the way of the Native Americans, who despite death of the physical body, still remain among their natural surroundings in upright celebration. “Joyous feast” indicates that this is a happy event, again, directly contrasting the depiction of the dead who are laid to rest in a sleeping position. The Indians’ belief that the soul lives eternally is cause for celebration, and it is reflected in their positioning of the deceased.

Previous: Cognition and Language - Next: Commercial Banks and Other Financial Intermediaries, Part 1

Flashcard Secrets provides test preparation products for a variety of examinations - all trademarks are property of their respective trademark owners.

3827 Phelan #179

Beaumont, TX 77707