preview

Comparing Taylor's Upon Wedlock And Death Of Children

Decent Essays

Correspondingly, since both Puritan writers describe their individual Gods in a certain light, it results in an unmistakable discrepancy among the audiences each type of writing is intended to be delivered to. To Edward Taylor, writing is purely for the glory of God and for the expression of feelings towards Him. Generally, Edward Taylor’s works are considered too bright and too jaunty for the Puritan conservatives at the time and do not serve for moral instruction as most literature should. In Taylor’s work “Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children” he describes,

Here Primrose, Cowslips, Roses, Lilies blow
With Violets and Pinkes that voide perfumes.
Whose beauteous leaves ore laid with Hony Dew.
And Chanting birds Cherp out sweet Musick true. (qtd in “Edward …show more content…

It is an attestment to the true expression of the heart that Taylor is pouring out to God. Taylor’s writing is not to be shared with his community of believers like Jonathan Edwards’ writing; it is meant to be a personal message or story where Taylor can express himself in any way that he wants. Not only does Edward Taylor write many poems for God, but he also engages in the writing of personal meditations which were devout religious contemplations in the form of writing. In Taylor’s “Sixth Meditation,” he speaks directly to God and asks Him if he is His golden servant. Elaborating on this question for sixteen more stanzas, Taylor continuously asks God, if by any chance he stands out to God at all. Later on, Taylor realizes that he may in fact not stand out to God at all, and so he asks God to make him shine golden and bright, so that he may stand out from the rest of the Puritans (qtd in “Edward Taylor”, Poetry and Biography). Obviously, Taylor acknowledges his brilliant ability to write, but instead of using it as a source of word or scripture like most Puritan writers, his works are for the expression of personal

Get Access