Throughout history religion is something that seems to have been present always. Since literature is a reflection of prominent ideas in a time period, it is very often that we see religion within literature. These works often present different and similar components that all demonstrate the jigsaw that is one’s faith. Longfellow’s Nature and Bradstreet’s Upon the Burning of Our House, this concept is demonstrated as well as sum up some of my views in faith as well.
Conflict and debate is everywhere. This is especially evident when dealing with topics as sensitive as faith and spirituality. Within both Nature and Upon the Burning of Our House, this idea of conflict is present. But perhaps the largest similarity in these isn't just the conflict but the resolution. In Bradstreet’s Upon the Burning of Our House, it begins with a feeling of fear, and unwillingness. “And to my God my heart did cry to straighten me in my distress” the speaker cries in the midst of the night as her house is engulfed in flames (Bradstreet, 8-9). Longfellow uses imagery to show this unwillingness as well as a sense of abruptness. Comparing this feeling of leaving something behind to a child being put to rest demonstrates when one dies. This is very similar to Bradstreet’s because in both, the attitude is reluctant and unwilling. However both find comfort in the situation through faith. The speaker in Upon the Burning of Our House finds peace in the situation knowing that the real wealth is within her faith. In Nature, the subject is not fully ready but understands that heaven may await.
Although the two works have similarities, there are differences as well. Bradstreet’s focuses heavily on materialism and where the speaker realizes that they do not need things any longer. Instead they rely on their God to provide in heaven for them. Nature addresses these materialistic things as “playthings,” however the subject is still attached and not ready to let go into the unknown. This theme of being submitted into the uncertainty of faith is very clear throughout all of Nature. The subject is never sure that there is an afterlife waiting for them but knows that their time has come to find out. In Upon the Burning of Our House, the speaker has clear certainty that her God will guide her though whether she has material wealth or not. “It‘s purchased and paid for too by Him who hath enough to do. A price so vast as is unknown, yet by His gift is made thine own; There‘s wealth enough, I need no more” the speaker say as she confirms her confidence in her God (Bradstreet, 47-51). Longfellow demonstrates his views through tranquility while Bradstreet presents it through a tragedy.
Conflict and debate is everywhere. This is especially evident when dealing with topics as sensitive as faith and spirituality. Within both Nature and Upon the Burning of Our House, this idea of conflict is present. But perhaps the largest similarity in these isn't just the conflict but the resolution. In Bradstreet’s Upon the Burning of Our House, it begins with a feeling of fear, and unwillingness. “And to my God my heart did cry to straighten me in my distress” the speaker cries in the midst of the night as her house is engulfed in flames (Bradstreet, 8-9). Longfellow uses imagery to show this unwillingness as well as a sense of abruptness. Comparing this feeling of leaving something behind to a child being put to rest demonstrates when one dies. This is very similar to Bradstreet’s because in both, the attitude is reluctant and unwilling. However both find comfort in the situation through faith. The speaker in Upon the Burning of Our House finds peace in the situation knowing that the real wealth is within her faith. In Nature, the subject is not fully ready but understands that heaven may await.
Although the two works have similarities, there are differences as well. Bradstreet’s focuses heavily on materialism and where the speaker realizes that they do not need things any longer. Instead they rely on their God to provide in heaven for them. Nature addresses these materialistic things as “playthings,” however the subject is still attached and not ready to let go into the unknown. This theme of being submitted into the uncertainty of faith is very clear throughout all of Nature. The subject is never sure that there is an afterlife waiting for them but knows that their time has come to find out. In Upon the Burning of Our House, the speaker has clear certainty that her God will guide her though whether she has material wealth or not. “It‘s purchased and paid for too by Him who hath enough to do. A price so vast as is unknown, yet by His gift is made thine own; There‘s wealth enough, I need no more” the speaker say as she confirms her confidence in her God (Bradstreet, 47-51). Longfellow demonstrates his views through tranquility while Bradstreet presents it through a tragedy.