Read the poem "Upon the Burning of Our House" by Anne Bradstreet:

"In silent night when rest I took,
For sorrow near I did not look,
I waken'd was with thund'ring noise
And Piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.
That fearful sound of fire and fire,
Let no man know is my Desire.
I, starting up, the light did spy,
And to my God my heart did cry
To strengthen me in my Distress
And not to leave me succourless.
Then coming out beheld a space,
The flame consume my dwelling place.
And, when I could no longer look,
I blest his Name that gave and took,
That laid my goods now in the dust:
Yea so it was, and so 'twas just.
It was his own: it was not mine;
Far be it that I should repine.
He might of All justly bereft,
But yet sufficient for us left.
When by the Ruines oft I past,"

When you read this poem, you can draw conclusions about what inspired the author to write the poem, who the author was writing the poem for (audience), and what the author wants to communicate through the poem (theme). Drag and drop the phrases written about the poem into the appropriate columns for Inspiration, Audience, and Theme.

- Inspirations for the Poem
- Audience for the Poem
- Themes of the Poem

Phrases:
1. Trust not in earthly goods; trust only in the love of God.
2. God's love sustains us in the pain and sorrow of loss.
3. Our earthly home is not forever, but our heavenly home is for all eternity.
4. A person who has suffered great unhappiness and misfortune