Huswifery

In “Huswifery,” Edward Taylor compares things that are very different from each other. What is this literary device called?

• alliteration

• personification

• conceit

• hyperbole

Whom or what does the speaker in this poem address?

• God

• a loom in his home

• his wife

• all Puritan wives

Taylor develops an extended metaphor in this poem. What kinds of activities make up that extended metaphor?

• grinding grain into flour at a mill

• spinning yarn and weaving cloth

• cleaning different kinds of clothes

• dressing for and attending a funeral

How can you tell that this opening line is an example of Puritan Plain Style?

Make me, O Lord, Thy spinning wheel complete.

I. It is a direct statement.

II. It addresses God.

III. It refers to an everyday object.

IV. It is strongly emotional.

• I and II

• II and III

• I and III

• II, III, and IV

Which structure does Taylor use to present his main comparison in “Huswifery”?

• God’s past actions, God’s present actions, God’s future actions

• repentance, prayers, better behavior

• an unbeliever, a Christian on earth, a Christian in heaven

• fibers to yarn, yarn to cloth, cloth to finished clothing

Why might you want to read the first two stanzas of this poem rather slowly?

• The stanzas contain many unfamiliar details and images.

• The stanzas present a series of challenging questions.

• The poet uses old-fashioned spellings and punctuation.

• The poet creates images that appeal to the senses.

What is the speaker’s main attitude in this statement?

Make me Thy loom then, knit therein this twine: / And make Thy holy spirit, Lord, wind quills: / Then weave the web Thyself.

• He trusts in God’s faithfulness.

• He fears God’s holy spirit.

• He is submissive to God’s will.

• He is eager to sing God’s praise.

Which of the following best describes the “clothing” that God is making for the speaker?

• plain, but soft and comfortable clothes

• colorful, decorated, and shining clothes

• sturdy clothes, to help the speaker work for God

• pure white clothes, to represent God’s holiness

What reading rate would help you most in understanding these lines, and why?

Then clothe therewith mine understanding, will, / Affections, judgment, conscience, memory / My words, and actions, . . .

• Fast: The lines use simple words and don’t have much detail.

• Average: This isn’t the speaker’s main point, anyway.

• Slow: There is a list of words that are confusing because they seem close in meaning.

• Slow: The image in these lines is completely different from images earlier in the poem.

What is the speaker asking for in these lines?

Then clothe therewith mine understanding, will, / Affections, judgment, conscience, memory / My words and actions, that their shine may fill / My ways with glory and Thee glorify.

• that he would never disappoint God

• that all of his words and actions would glorify God

• that he would have beautiful clothing that everyone would admire

• that his actions would match his thoughts and feelings