ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Bradstreet sees God as a just one even though he took all of her physical possessions. She takes His justness a step further by saying in lines 18 and 19 that even if He took all of her belongings, it would still be reasonable. Bradstreet also believes in a positive afterlife for herself and most people around her.

Detailed explanation-2: -In the beginning of the poem, Bradstreet describes her love for her husband. Later she states that she hopes “the heavens reward the manifold.” She states that they should love each other as much as possible and that they will have eternal love once they ascend to heaven.

Detailed explanation-3: -She attempts to justify the loss of her home as a necessary action taken by God, perhaps as punishment for a lifestyle that was too focused on material wealth and comfort. It is remarkable that after such a traumatic event, the beginning of the poem attempts to justify what has happened as God’s lesson.

Detailed explanation-4: -The speaker, generally taken as Bradstreet herself, grieves the loss her home and all her material possessions, but also argues that this tragedy was God’s way of teaching her a spiritual lesson about the value of piety and faith.