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Post by Mr. Thomas on Sept 9, 2013 6:39:04 GMT -5
Post your responses to the poem on this thread.
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Post by johnmarano on Sept 9, 2013 16:56:10 GMT -5
John Marano
Mr. Thomas
English 11 - Section 06
9 September 2013
A. The poem relates to a personal experience of mine. Not a house in flames, but how friends lost a lot in Hurricane Sandy. “My pleasant things in ashes lie / and them behold no more shall I” (Bradstreet Lines 27-28). This reminds me of my friends because they watched their homes leave them. Just like Anne, my friends lost objects very valuable to them. Again just like Anne, my friends never gave up hope and are on the road to a remarkable comeback. Although they were all devastated, they never gave up. Anne also shows how she never gave up, as she turned her hand to God.
D. I was very intrigued by this poem written by Anne Bradstreet. “In silent night when rest I took / for sorrow near I did not look” (Bradstreet, Lines 1-2). These lines happen to stand out to me while I was reading because I felt I understood the true meaning of them. I love the way Anne wrote that she didn’t expect anything out of the blue. I feel like she relates to us everyday because, just like we do, she expects the normal each day and was forced to adjust to a rare event. Another line that really grabbed my eye was, “And to my God my heart did cry / to strengthen me in my distress” (Bradstreet, Lines 8-9). I truly appreciated this piece in the poem because Anne demonstrates how she turned to God in a very hopeless time.
E. As I read Anne’s depressing poem, I had a happy reaction to one of her actions. “There’s wealth enough, I need no more … the world no longer let me love / my hope and treasures lies above. (Bradstreet, Lines 51-55). This quote really made me feel astonished because after Anne just watched her house burn in flames, she suddenly has an epiphany, that being she doesn’t need her material objects, just her relationship with God. I truly love how Anne never lost faith in God on her road of fame, AND I’m sure that’s an easy thing to do!!
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Post by matthewchan on Sept 9, 2013 17:42:43 GMT -5
Matthew Chan Mr. Thomas English 11 9 September 2013 A. This poem relates to me in a different way. Instead of losing my house and everything in it, I lost my grandfather. My grandfather and I were very close and he was a big baseball fan. In the poem, Bradstreet said, “I blest His name that gave and took” (Line 14) which means the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed the name of the Lord. What was significant about my grandfather’s death was that the same day he past away was the same day his sister was born. In our family, we think of his passing as a rebirth and renewal of life from God.
D. Bradstreet said, “Yet by His gift is made thine own; There’s wealth enough, I need no more, Farewell, my pelf, farewell my store” (Lines 50-52). I enjoy this line because it tells the real meaning of wealth. In this poem, the main character loses many things from the fire and he remains positive and calm. This reminds me of today’s world and the meaning of wealth. We don’t have to be the wealthiest man on earth to live a happy life. We can be rich and wealthy in the heart by being caring to others and loving family members. With them, we can be wealthy and rich.
E. I am very surprised with the character’s reaction when he/she finds out their house is on fire. Many people are frightened and try to escape their house as quickly as they can. However, the character in the poem is extremely calm and willing to let all of his/her possessions go during the fire. The character is very religious and prays and asks God for help and guidance. The character is willing to let everything go including himself/herself.
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Post by poulong15 on Sept 9, 2013 17:51:22 GMT -5
Gregory Poulon Mr. Thomas English-11-06 9 September 2013
D. “ And when I could no longer look, I blest his name that gave and took, that laid my goods now in the dust. Yea, so it was, and so ‘twas just.” Here these lines 13- 16 really stand out and really capture the whole meaning of the poem. First off, the poem sets off a really downbeat tone. The rhyme scheme puts a lot of emphasis on the lines quoted above, and states the overall theme of the poem. The poet states in these lines that she had blest in HIS name, which I can make an inference and believe that, the poet is talking about Jesus. She then goes on to say “laid my goods now in the dust” meaning she did not get what she wanted, because the dust referring to ashes and other debrief from the fire.
C. I do not understand why, lines 29 to 34 were much necessary. These lines could have been replaced with other lines, that could have completely change the whole poem, and made it take a turn in the opposite direction. I o not understand why the author states lines 29 and 30 these just seem very out of place. The poem gets a bit confusing during these lines as the poet rears off her opening subject. These lines are confusing.
A. I can relate to this poem in one depressing way. My grandparent’s house a couple of years ago caught fire and there was not much left of it. As in the poem she states that he house is completely destroyed and that no one will ever again enter the house. As my grandparent s house had the same affect. Once I began to read the poem I immediately was able to relate to it.
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Post by emmanuelluna on Sept 9, 2013 18:01:39 GMT -5
Emmanuel Luna
Mr. Thomas
English 11
9/9/13
A.)This poem reminds me of what happened with Sandy last year and how it affected the entire Xavier community. Although I was mostly unaffected by the storm I did see many members of the Xavier community including some of my friends lose their houses and belongings to the storm. The line that most resembled this loss in the poem was “My pleasant things in ashes lie,/ And them behold no more shall I” (Bradstreet, Lines 27-28). This shows the suffering Bradstreet was in at the time that she lost everything and it is the same pain that I saw my friends go through during Sandy.
B.)I believe that the poem would have a different tone if not for lines 4-5, “And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice./ That fearful sound of ‘Fire!’ and ‘Fire!’” These two lines give the sense of panic considering that the fire suddenly started and everyone is trying to get out and save themselves. It also gives the poem a dreary and sad tone because people are losing their homes and belongings.
D.)Even though this poem is mostly sad and about loss there was a line that I really enjoyed and stood out to me. “Yet by His gift is made thine own;/ There’s wealth enough, I need no more,” (Lines 50-51) These lines for me show that even though she just lost everything she is thankful for the fact that she is still alive and sees hope in that. She says that it doesn’t matter if she lost everything all she needs is to be alive and there will always be hope. This message of hope at the end really stood out to me because it sent the message that no matter how bad something gets, it could get better.
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Post by odonnelle on Sept 9, 2013 18:39:32 GMT -5
F. “I blest His name that gave and took.” Now, I could be wrong about this, but I highly doubt many people, no less the people reading this from the almighty computer, would be feeling particularly understanding of anyone while their home, along with many of their possessions, burn to the ground. That is what makes Him a living, breathing character with whom Bradstreet has a relationship with in the poem. A relationship between a loyal subject and her provider. Never does Bradstreet menacingly point her finger toward the sky, nor does she ever treat everything like it is merely a stroke of bad luck. Rather, she obediently resigns, admitting “it was His own, it was not mine.” For a person who has just been rendered homeless and, no doubt, without much in way of tangible objects, Bradstreet seems strangely accepting and understanding of her apparent misfortune…
D. … until the fuel for her entire thought process is stated in the last line. “My hope and treasure lies above.” Even in spite of my skepticism, I greatly admire anyone who is able to unwaveringly work off of the genuine belief that there is always more to come. Happiness cannot reliably reside in those who don’t live without the promise of good things to come in the future. If a person truly feels secure about their future, then the person can live happily “in the moment,” and that is evidently the case with Bradstreet. She recognizes that her wealth did not, nor does it die with her pelf.
C. So, was this poem written almost immediately after the fact, or was it written years after her house burned down? Because the poem written immediately after the tragedy would surely have completely different insights than the poem written after years of reflection and thought.
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Post by eointunney on Sept 9, 2013 18:53:05 GMT -5
Eoin Tunney Mr. Thomas English 11 9 September 2013 A. Once I started reading this poem, I felt that it had already started to relate to me because of a personal experience. The first few lines read, “I wakened was with thund’ring noise/ And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice./ That fearful sound of “Fire! And “Fire!”’(Lines 3-5) This poem did not directly relate to me because it was not my house which had burned down. Several years ago a house across the street from me had caught fire. I remember waking up in the middle of the night to the noisy fire trucks speeding down the street. Thank God no one was hurt and only the kitchen and living room of the house had been damaged. I. After reading through some of my classmates comments on the poem. I felt that I should agree with John Marano’s comments for part A. John brought up how many of his friends had lost homes during Hurricane Sandy. I can totally relate to his comments because a few family friends and even many Xavier students lost their homes during this terrible storm. The poem also relates to Hurricane Sandy when it reads, “My pleasant things in ashes lie,/ And them behold no more shall I.” (Lines 27-28) D. I enjoyed many of the lines in this poem. One set of lines that I really liked was lines 3-5, “I wakened was with thund’ring noise/ And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice./ That fearful sound of “Fire!” and “Fire!” I really enjoyed these lines because it showed to me that Anne Bradstreet was unaware and surprised at what was happening at first. A story or poem is always better when there is a surprise in it. Also I extremely liked lines 50-51 which read, “ Yet by HIS gift is made thine own; There’s wealth enough, I need no more.” I enjoyed these lines because it shows that Anne Bradstreet is very trusting in God, and knows that he does things for good reasons.
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Post by johnrice on Sept 9, 2013 19:15:46 GMT -5
John Rice English 11 Mr. Thomas 9/9/13 A. “The flame consume my dwelling place.” This was a very short and meaningful line that concluded the first stanza of this poem. The character is obviously fully aware of the fact that his or her house is on fire. Interestingly enough the character seems nonchalant about the fact that their home is being decimated. Although this line does not connect to me on a personal level, I know many people that had house decimated in the more recent hurricane we had strike the city. I had friends with houses underwater and know people who had their houses burned to the ground. The grief these people displayed was not similar to that of the grief the character in this poem displayed. This is interesting because many authors write to relate to an author, but being nonchalant about your house burning down probably wouldn’t relate to many audiences.
D. While trying to find a specific example to prove the fact that the character turns to God but I found example throughout the entire poem. The character constantly refers to this “he” that is never identified in the poem concretely but we can safely assume that she is talking about God. This inspires me because we go to a Jesuit school and are encouraged to find God in all things even in times of disappointment and despair.
E. I had many reactions, thoughts, and theories that pertained to this poem when I finished reading it. One of my main thoughts was the fact that she was so nonchalant about the entire situation. This actually pisssed me off to some extent honestly. I was just thinking “how can one just watch their house burn do and say ‘Yet, by his gift, is made thine own’. “ on the other hand I commend her for having so much faith in God and patience in waiting for his good will.
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Post by bourdonm15 on Sept 9, 2013 19:34:50 GMT -5
Matthew Bourdon Mr. Thomas English 11 9/9/13 A. This poem can relate to any type of emotional pain that anyone has gone through. This poem relates to any personal experience that involves being emotionally hurt. I can personally relate to the poem because I have experienced emotional pain when both my uncle and my grandfather died. I was very close to both of them and to just see them go within a blink of an eye is devastating. “And to my God my heart did cry, to strengthen me in my distress” (Lines 8-9). This shows that she prayed to God to help her in her time of suffering and pain which is definitely something I did as well not only for me but also for the rest of my family that was suffering. D. “The world no longer let me love, my hope and Treasure lies above” (Lines 53-54). I enjoyed these two lines because it shows that she has hope. Although she realizes that what has happened to her is a life changing experience and it will not let her love and be happy anymore, she still believes that she will be able to do this in heaven. It is a great ending to the poem and is really the only positive throughout the whole story. Anyone being positive/optimistic is always nice to see! E. The character, which is the author, is in a way likeable because you immediately feel bad for her. While she is describing the scene and how she is feeling you get a feeling of sorrow and pity within you. “The world no longer let me love, my hope and Treasure lies above” (Lines 53-54). That line really makes her likeable, because of her efforts to stay optimistic.
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Post by frankclarke on Sept 9, 2013 19:48:13 GMT -5
Francis Paul Clarke Junior Mr. Thomas English 11- Section6 9 September 2013 D. Religion seems to be a major theme in Anne Bradstreet’s poems. For example Anne alluded to the Bible by saying: “I blest His name that gave and took” (Line14), also “Yet by His gift is made thine own / There’s wealth enough, I need no more.” (Line 50-51) Both of these quotes stood out to me because she expresses her sorrow, yet in the end all she needs is God. It’s kind of like a sad story with a happy middle. She makes due with the best she has, with burned goods and a full heart with God. With God she is happy enough. A. This poem can be related to the recent tragedy of Hurricane Sandy. “My pleasant things in ashes lie / And them behold no more shall I.” This can be compared to how people’s houses were destroyed in the aftermath of the storm, as well as the fire that spread around. People once had happy belongings but now they’re no longer with them. I can relate this to my conclusion on “D”; how she entrusts so much in God. C. “In silence ever shall thou lie”, (35)I am super confused by this?! How can one be silent and lie? I always thought it was the opposite! “That laid my goods now in the dust. / Yea, so it was, and so ‘twas just.” (15-16)Why are you not more upset at God for burning down your belongings? How can you accept such a thing??! Maybe it’s her undying faith towards God?! “No pleasant tale shall e’er be told / Nor things recounted done of old” (32-33) How could you be so accepting to now being so dull and depressing??! Your mix of emotions is confusing.
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Post by joeroperti on Sept 9, 2013 19:52:07 GMT -5
Joseph Roperti
Mr. Thomas
English 11 – Section 6
9 September 2013
A. This poem relates to an experience I have had, not my personal home in flames but another home to me. The New Dorp batting cages where I have trained all my life, Hurricane Sandy, demolished beyond repair, washed it away. It was more then a batting cage to all of us we worked there, honed our skills, gained virtues such as discipline and honor. As the cage itself was for the older guys to train, we ran an All-star team for underprivileged kids through the funding of the cage. Together we all who had connections with the cage never gave up hope and played with a purpose to raise money to rebuild the second home we all need, as the way Anne shows she never gave up.
D. I really enjoyed this poem, especially because of the tone and mood that you would think a character would have in this situation but Anne on the other hand is calm and collected. She asks for God’s help and guidance and is willing to let everything she knows burn to the ground.
E. My reaction to this poem is more so about Anne. I don’t understand how a person could go to God in this situation. She is letting everything be burned down around her without and trepidation. I don’t think it was the best thing to do in circumstances I would much prefer to escape the burning building.
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Post by 1adams12 on Sept 9, 2013 20:54:00 GMT -5
Michael Adams Mr. Thomas Section 06 9/9/13
A. I personally have a connection to this author because my uncle had his house burned down. He was so frustrated because he did not know where to start. He personally felt that he should maybe move away. He was not too happy with the electrician because it was an electrical fire. When he got back to his feet, he was devastated that he lost a lot of his prized possessions; pictures, and his decorations around the house.
C. What I personally don’t understand is she saying that it is God’s business that the house burned down and not hers (17)? Also, is she talking about how God handles everything and that people should not worry about what bad things happen, because He is going to handle it one way or another (47-48)? Is she even frustrated and disappointed that the building burned down (17-19)? It sounds to me that she is giving everything to God and that she does not even care about the building. What I also don’t understand is, why does she say “a price so vast as is unknown” (49)? Even though it was confusing, I liked the poem.
D. What I personally liked about this poem, is throughout the whole poem it seemed really real. It seemed that the person who had the house burned down actually believed in God so much, that the person believed that God would take of that. I like that a lot because it shows me that it is possible that God maybe the One who is supposed to handle everything and not me. This makes me relax simply because I have (in the past) been worried about what I have been doing and why other people may be hurting my feelings, and now I know that God is the whole that is going to handle it and not me.
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Post by epoccia on Sept 9, 2013 21:02:44 GMT -5
Eddie Poccia English 11 Mr. Thomas September 2013
A. I can relate to this poem because I went through similar suffering when my grandfather passed away. This is similar to Anne because she also lost something important to her. “ And to my God my heart did cry, To strengthen me in my distress (8-9).” This quote shows that Anne turned to God after she lost her house to bring her comfort. I can relate this to myself because when my grandfather died I prayed a lot to find comfort.
D. I enjoyed the last two lines of the poem, “The world no longer let me love, My hope and treasure lies above.” I admire that Anne is still being somewhat optimistic even after her house burned down. It also shows that she is willing to abandon all of her worldly possessions and turn to God. E. I was surprised that Anne still had hope after her house burned down. I admire that she was looking forward and was able to abandon all of her material possessions. I don't think that I would be able to recover from such a tragedy so quickly.
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Post by georgebaroudos on Sept 9, 2013 21:04:00 GMT -5
George Baroudos Mr. Thomas English 11 9 September 2013
A – As humans we are all subject to adversity, pain and sadness. Hurricane Sandy devastated my hometown, which is Rockaway Beach. One of my closest friends who did not deserve this experienced pain similar to Anne’s when his house burnt down. Seeing the distress of his brothers broke my heart. “And to my God my heart did cry / To strengthen me in distress” (8-9) reflects the attitude of my neighborhood in general. Although Sandy knocked us off our feet, forced us into a long and hard journey with the help of God we were able to come forth and band together. Through our strong will the majority of Rockaway is back to normal.
B – “My pleasant things in ashes lie, / And them behold no more shall I.” (27-28). This quote in itself holds such a strong message. At this moment Anne realizes all the connections she has made with material items is lost. Anne most likely feels as if she is in a dream. Not a single person would expect to one day lose the house and the items they have worked so hard for. Anne knows life is not fair, but she has now seen the full effects of life’s unfairness. Anne also develops a sternness, which in the right setting can prosper. E – Anne was put into a very difficult position. Anne lost all material goods that she has made connection with. Anne was grateful for what she had, “My pleasant things in ashes lie” (27) this line allows me to respect her gratitude. Anne’s negative outlook is acceptable due to the circumstances. But she is already looking towards the future acknowledging that “My hope and treasure lies above” (54). I had to feel bad for Anne; coping with such a traumatic event is never easy and never will. As humans we must look to the future with a bright outlook!
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Post by matthewko on Sept 9, 2013 21:07:22 GMT -5
Matthew Ko Mr. Thomas English 11 9 September 2013
A. This poem related to me when I moved from Iowa to New York. When Bradstreet says, “That laid my goods now in the dust” (Line 15), she no longer has what she lived in. Moving from a house in Iowa into an apartment in New York City took a while getting used to, being that the space was a huge difference. I didn’t have the same size kitchen, bedroom, and multiple floors that every ordinary family in Iowa had. Leaving Iowa was now in the “dust”.
D. When Bradstreet reflects upon the house, “Thou hast an house on high erect/ Fram'd by that mighty Architect,/ With glory richly furnished,/ Stands permanent” (Lines 43-46) , I really enjoyed Bradstreet taking in consideration for all the things that made her comfortable. Giving credit to the architect was something special in my opinion because many people like architects don’t get recognized for their hard work. Also the things that the house held such as the richly furnished furniture and all her luxurious things were taken into consideration that soaked in the memories of her house. Regardless of the house being burned, I liked how she will always have that house in her mind and keeping it a permanent thought inside of her.
E. Anne’s response to her house burning down after everything settled in was very surprising to me. She implies, “Ther's wealth enough, I need no more” (Line 51), meaning she is ready to move on. It is very surprising for someone to get over something so big, something that a person had in their ever day life. I was expecting her to be in a tragic state of mind but instead she gets over the fact that her house burned down and turns to the positive side. This is a good thing but surprising.
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