The Break Down of Bradstreet and Taylor
Starting with Bradstreet’s first Poem “Contemplations”, Bradstreet spends her time talking about the wondrous workings of God: “I wish not what to wish, yet sure though I,/ If so much excellence abide below,/How excellent is He that dwells on High”(101 ). The quote conveys how she wonders about the beauty of God and how one entity could create the vast and magnificent mass that is earth, ranging from bountiful trees to majestic mountains. She presses on how earth and its gargantuan array of creatures are so striking, which in turn convinces her to believe that nature is an outlet to God.
In addition, Bradstreet’s poem “In Memory of My Dear Grandchild Elizabeth Bradstreet, Who Deceased August, 1665, Being a Year and a Half Old”, talks about her dead grandchild who couldn’t make it through this world and how the hand of God hadchosen her. “But plants new set to be eradicate,/And buds new blown to have so short a date,/Is by His hand alone that guides nature and fate”, meaning although the world seems perfect, it can sometimes be
Thirdly, in Bradstreet’s poem “Here Follows Some Verses upon the Burning of Our House, July 10th, 1666”, Bradstreet looks to God while her house is burning down to give her the strength to survive it: “I, starting up, the light did spy, /And to my God my heart did cry/To strengthen me in my distress And not to leave me succorless”(109). While most people would be scolding God for the destruction, she feels as if it is His will and as long as He controls the world, the destruction of her home is justified. “Yet by His gift is made thine own;/ There’s wealth enough, I need no more,/ Farewell, my pelf, farewell my store./The world no longer let me love,/My hope and treasure lies above”(110). It is absolutely amazing how she can forge ahead with everything laying in ruins, with this quote depicting that all she needs is some money and God’s will to live out her life. Throughout this ordeal she...