Skip to main content

What is Edward Taylor asking God to do in "Huswifery"?

"Huswifery" is a classic Taylor poem in that it sets up a conceit, or an extended metaphor.  Throughout this conceit, Taylor uses first the parts of a spinning wheel and then the cloth spun with the thread from that wheel to ask God to use Taylor as an instrument for God's will.  


In the first stanza, Taylor asks God to use his "Holy Word" to charge Taylor's "Affections," "Soul," and "Conversation" with the will...

"Huswifery" is a classic Taylor poem in that it sets up a conceit, or an extended metaphor.  Throughout this conceit, Taylor uses first the parts of a spinning wheel and then the cloth spun with the thread from that wheel to ask God to use Taylor as an instrument for God's will.  


In the first stanza, Taylor asks God to use his "Holy Word" to charge Taylor's "Affections," "Soul," and "Conversation" with the will of God.  It is in this stanza that Taylor uses the metaphor of the spinning wheel to create the image of God spinning the wheel to create the yarn, or to create Taylor, which He will then use to create the garment in the second stanza.


In the second stanza, God becomes the weaver, and by weaving the yarn he creates a beautiful garment that is "pinked with varnished flowers of Paradise" (12).  With this garment, Taylor will be clothed with all of God's influence, thus making him an instrument for the will of God.


In the final stanza, Taylor asks God to clothe his "Understanding, Will, / Affections, Judgment, Conscience, Memory / [His] Words, and Actions" (13-15).  These are all the characteristics that, as a minister, Taylor can use to influence people and urge them follow God.  And it is through this action that Taylor will do God's glory.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...

What gift did Della buy for Jim and why in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which... Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair.  Della is still willing to sell her hair so she can b...

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...