Puritan Poetry: Huswifery and To My Dear and Loving Husband

In the poem "Huswifery," the word "huswifery" means housekeeping.

• True

• False

In the first stanza, the speaker says, "Make me, O Lord, Thy spinning wheel complete." What housekeeping activity is being described?

• Blacksmith tending his forge

• using a spinning wheel to make yarn for weaving

• washing the floors with a mop

• Darning or sewing holes in socks

What are the 3 activities described in the poem? (one per stanza)?

• candle making, curing meat, tanning hides

• bowling, horseback riding, archery

• spinning yarn, weaving cloth, making clothing

• building a church, plowing fields, cutting corn

The speaker in "Huswifery" compares himself to a loom. Who or what is compared to the WEAVER?

• his wife is the weaver

• his mother is the weaver

• his neighbor is the weaver

• God is the weaver

In stanza 3, lines 17-18 the speaker says, "Then mine apparel shall display before Ye/That I am clothed in holy robes for glory." How do the "holy robes for glory" complete the poem's extended metaphor?

• He now has clothes to wear on his farm.

• He now has robes to sell in his merchant store.

• They compare to the finished garment in the spinning/weaving/clothing making process and show the speaker's spirit wants glory in heaven

• They are the cloth he wants to use for the suit to wear to a funeral

Why might Taylor use a typical Puritan housekeeping activity (in this case spinning, weaving, etc.) to express his religious faith?

• The Puritans would know and understand this activity well and also shows God is present in normal daily activities.

• New England was a hub and beginning of the textile and garment factories in early America

• The Bible gives instructions to use this exact analogy to help preach the word of God

• Popular church hymns of the time often mentioned this kind of analogy.

The speaker in "Huswifery" hopes to be ready for

• affection from others

• a loss of memory

• glory/ eternal life

• a position of power

Whom does the poet address in "Huswifery"?

• her husband
• the Lord 
• a spinning wheel
• a housewife

What kinds of activities does "Huswifery "describe? 

• purchasing yarn and spools 
• dressing for one's funeral 
• doing the daily housework
• spinning and weaving