Name
Date
“Huswifery” by Edward Taylor
Literary Analysis: Conceit (Extended Metaphor)
A metaphor is a form of figurative language. It compares two unlike things, people, or
objects, but does not use the words like or as, which are used in similes. Compare the two
examples below.
My grief made my heart like a stone.
My grief made my heart a stone.
The second example is a metaphor, a comparison of a heart with a stone, but without using
the words like or as. A conceit is an extended metaphor, a comparison developed throughout
several lines or an entire poem. Edward Taylor’s poem is an extended metaphor as he asks God
to make him into a spinning wheel and a loom so that he can clothe himself in God’s glory.
DIRECTIONS: Read each passage from “Huswifery” and answer the questions.
Make me, O Lord, Thy spinning wheel complete.
Thy holy word my distaff make for me.
Make mine affections they swift flyers neat
And make my soul Thy holy spoole to be.
My conversation make to be Thy reel
And reel the yarn thereon spun of Thy wheel.
1. Which complete device does the poet compare himself to in his metaphor in this stanza?
2. Which part of the poet himself does he ask God to make into the spoole [spool] of the spinning wheel?
3. As the poet develops his extended metaphor, he mostly asks God to make parts of the poet
into a loom. Which part of the wheel does he compare with God’s word in the metaphor?
Make me Thy loom then, knit therein this twine;
And make Thy holy spirit, Lord, wind quills;
Then weaver the web Thyself. The yarn is fine,
Thine ordinances make my fulling mills.
Then dye the same in heavenly colors choice.
All pinked with varnished flowers of paradise.
4. To what major device does the poet compare himself in this stanza?
5. In Stanza 3, when the poet asks God to clothe all parts of him in the new apparel, to what
does he compare the apparel he will be wearing?
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Name
Date
“Huswifery” by Edward Taylor
Reading Strategy: Adjust Reading Rate
The poem “Huswifery” is a complex poem. Its subject and style are difficult. It is full of
unfamiliar words that are defined at the bottom of the page, so that the reader has to stop and
look away from the poem momentarily. The poem’s ideas are put in a specific order that must be
followed closely if a reader is to understand the full message. For these reasons, it is reasonable
to read such a poem slowly, and more than once, rather than skimming through it as if it were
a popular ballad.
DIRECTIONS: Read each line or passage from the poem and answer the questions.
Make me, O Lord, Thy spinning wheel complete.
Thy holy word my distaff make for me.
1. Is the poet asking the Lord to make a spinning wheel for the poet to use? Or is he asking
the Lord to make the poet himself into a spinning wheel? How can you be sure?
Thine ordinances* make my fulling mills*.
They dye the same in heavenly colors choice.
All pinked* with varnished flowers of paradise.
2. This passage has three unfamiliar terms in it. How would you read this part and what
would you do besides read the lines?
Make mine affections Thy swift flyers neat
Then weave the web Thyself. The yarn is fine.
3. Which of the examples above might you read faster than the other? Why?
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Name
Date
“Huswifery” by Edward Taylor
Integrated Language Skills: Support for Writing
To gather information for a reflective essay, first reread Edward Taylor’s “Huswifery.”
Notice how the poet uses spinning and weaving as metaphors for the larger meaning of creating
a work to glorify God. Think of something you do regularly to which you could attach another
meaning. For example, in helping to clean up a park, you make a statement about the
environment’s value. In helping babysit a younger sibling, you make a statement about
protecting younger people. Enter your information into the chart below.
Reflective Essay on
Everyday activity
Details about how activity is completed
Larger meaning of activity
How activity is symbolic of larger meaning
On a separate page, write a first draft of your reflective essay using the information from
your chart. Then, revise your essay to be sure the connection between the everyday activity and
the larger meaning is clear.
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Name
Date
“Huswifery” by Edward Taylor
Selection Test A
Critical Reading Identify the letter of the choice that best answers the question.
1. In “Huswifery,” Edward Taylor compares things that are very different from
each other. What is this literary device called?
A. alliteration
B. personification
C. conceit
D. hyperbole
2. Whom or what does the speaker in this poem address?
A. God
B. a loom in his home
C. his wife
D. all Puritan wives
3. Taylor develops an extended metaphor in this poem. What kinds of activities
make up that extended metaphor?
A. grinding grain into flour at a mill
B. spinning yarn and weaving cloth
C. cleaning different kinds of clothes
D. dressing for and attending a funeral
4. How can you tell that this opening line is an example of Puritan Plain Style?
Make me, O Lord, Thy spinning wheel complete.
I. It is a direct statement.
II. It addresses God.
III. It refers to an everyday object.
IV. It is strongly emotional.
A. I and II
B. II and III
C. I and III
D. II, III, and IV
5. Which structure does Taylor use to present his main comparison in “Huswifery”?
A. God’s past actions, God’s present actions, God’s future actions
B. repentance, prayers, better behavior
C. an unbeliever, a Christian on earth, a Christian in heaven
D. fibers to yarn, yarn to cloth, cloth to finished clothing
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6. Why might you want to read the first two stanzas of this poem rather slowly?
A. The stanzas contain many unfamiliar details and images.
B. The stanzas present a series of challenging questions.
C. The poet uses old-fashioned spellings and punctuation.
D. The poet creates images that appeal to the senses.
7. What is the speaker’s main attitude in this statement?
Make me Thy loom then, knit therein this twine: / And make Thy holy spirit, Lord,
wind quills: / Then weave the web Thyself.
A. He
B. He
C. He
D. He
trusts in God’s faithfulness.
fears God’s holy spirit.
is submissive to God’s will.
is eager to sing God’s praise.
8. Which of the following best describes the “clothing” that God is making for the
speaker?
A. plain, but soft and comfortable clothes
B. colorful, decorated, and shining clothes
C. sturdy clothes, to help the speaker work for God
D. pure white clothes, to represent God’s holiness
9. What reading rate would help you most in understanding these lines, and why?
Then clothe therewith mine understanding, will, / Affections, judgment, conscience,
memory / My words, and actions, . . .
A. Fast: The lines use simple words and don’t have much detail.
B. Average: This isn’t the speaker’s main point, anyway.
C. Slow: There is a list of words that are confusing because they seem close in
meaning.
D. Slow: The image in these lines is completely different from images earlier in
the poem.
10. What is the speaker asking for in these lines?
Then clothe therewith mine understanding, will, / Affections, judgment, conscience,
memory / My words and actions, that their shine may fill / My ways with glory and
Thee glorify.
A. that
B. that
C. that
D. that
he would never disappoint God
all of his words and actions would glorify God
he would have beautiful clothing that everyone would admire
his actions would match his thoughts and feelings
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