Brandon Cornelio
Dr. Mary Ann Kohli
English 203 American Literature
20 January 2016
Analyzing “Huswifery” by Edward Taylor Edward Taylor's poem, “Huswifery”, is unique in its use of figurative language to express his relationship with God. By comparing his desire for God’s grace to parts of a spinning wheel, he is using metaphysical conceit and providing readers with a medium to analyze his thoughts. He does this by employing each part of the spinning wheel as ways he wants god to use him. Additionally, he associates the resulting yarn, loom, cloth, and holy robes with steps he hopes he can follow in life to develop a divine relationship with God. As Taylor adds pieces to the spinning wheel, he is extending his use of the conceit and advancing
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Likewise, he is telling God to cover him in the holy robes, so he can in turn please him and bring him glory. Everything Taylor grieved about will be filtered by wearing the garment they created, and its presence on the day he is displayed before god will show that he is indeed righteous. From the seemingly ordinary spinning wheel, Edward Taylor managed to tailor a vivid admiration for God and his teaching, and he does so using a metaphysical conceit that compared making cloth, a household task in the 1800’s, to the gift of God’s redemption. In conclusion, I saw this poem as an emotional and effective way for Taylor to communicate his desire for God's guidance. I found it interesting how his use of metaphysical conceit and elaborate metaphorical connections could produce a poem easy to analyze by any reader. Not to mention, it does well in teaching modern audiences the level of intimacy puritans had towards god and how important it was to receive God's grace. Additionally, Taylor does a good job of showing his desperation for God's guidance, and his willingness to give God control of his life to produce a closer relationship with