1. Edward Taylor Puritan Minister
Like Bradstreet, wrote poetry for self reflection
Also wrote to instruct congregation in Puritan values
Never published, just shared with friends and community

2. “Huswifery”
Tablework—Read thru the poem and get the following in your notes
Stanza 1: What is the speaker asking God to do to him/her? What will he/she produce in this stanza?
Paraphrase the stanza
Stanza 2: What is the speaker asking God to make him or her? What will he or she produce in this stanza?
Stanza 3: What is the speaker asking God to do in this stanza? What is the final result of the work of stanzas 1 and 2
Theme: What message is Taylor trying to send to Puritan women through this poem?
What is the Rhyme Scheme of the poem?
What is the meter of the poem?

3. “Huswifery”
Definition: the business of a housewife; female domestic economy and skill
Compares the household task of making clothing with the gift of God’s salvation.
This extended metaphor expresses Edward Taylor’s deep belief in God and celebrates the divine presence in daily life.
The poem is like a prayer imploring God to guide the speaker to do God’s will.
By submitting to God’s will, the speaker hopes to achieve eternal salvation.

4. “Huswifery” Analysis
Extended Metaphor/Conceit (an extended metaphor that covers the entire poem)
Speaker compares herself to
spinning wheel to yarn to loom to cloth to holy robes
represent steps the speaker hopes she can follow in life to glorify God and to achieve a state of grace.
Theme: What message is Taylor trying to send to Puritan women through this poem?
That every aspect of their daily like should revolve around glorifying God and preparing themselves for salvation
Rhyme Scheme: ababcc/dedeff/ghghii
Meter: Iambic Pentameter

5. “Huswifery” Copy Change
Now, try your hand at poetry.
Consider some activity you love to do
Playing video games
Talking/Texting/Tweeting using your cell
Watching tv and chilling
Break the activity down into its component parts
The tv, the controllers, the game disc
Plug in the components into the copy change template