3.3 Edward Taylor and Metaphysical Poetry in America

Edward Taylor, a Puritan minister and poet, brought metaphysical poetry to America in the 17th century. His works, like Preparatory Meditations, blend religious themes with complex metaphors, exploring the relationship between God and humanity.

Taylor's poetry exemplifies the American adaptation of metaphysical style, using conceits and typology to convey spiritual ideas. His work reflects the Puritan mindset while showcasing the evolution of colonial American literature beyond purely didactic purposes.

Edward Taylor's Life and Works

Biography and Role as a Puritan Minister

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• Edward Taylor (1642-1729) was an English-American Puritan minister and poet
• Immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1668 after completing his education at Harvard College
• Served as the minister in Westfield, Massachusetts for over 50 years, delivering sermons and providing spiritual guidance to his congregation
• Taylor's role as a Puritan minister heavily influenced his poetry, which often focused on religious themes and the relationship between God and the individual

Poetic Works and Preparatory Meditations

• Taylor's most notable work is Preparatory Meditations, a series of poems written between 1682 and 1725
• Preparatory Meditations consists of over 200 poems, each composed as a spiritual exercise in preparation for Taylor's weekly communion services
• These poems explore Taylor's personal relationship with God, his struggles with faith, and his desire for spiritual growth and enlightenment
• Taylor's poetry remained unpublished during his lifetime, only being discovered and published in the 20th century (1939)

God's Determinations and Religious Themes

• Another significant work by Taylor is Gods Determinations, a long poem that explores the relationship between God's sovereignty and human free will
• In Gods Determinations, Taylor grapples with the Puritan doctrine of predestination and the idea that God has already determined the fate of each individual soul
• The poem reflects Taylor's deep faith and his belief in the importance of submitting to God's will, even in the face of spiritual struggles and uncertainties
• Throughout his poetry, Taylor emphasizes the centrality of God in human life and the need for individuals to seek a closer relationship with the divine

Metaphysical Poetry in America

Defining Metaphysical Poetry and Its Characteristics

• Metaphysical poetry is a style of poetry that originated in 17th-century England and was later adopted by some American poets, including Edward Taylor
• Characterized by the use of complex and extended metaphors, known as conceits, to explore abstract ideas and spiritual themes
• Metaphysical poets often use wit, paradox, and intellectual reasoning to engage with philosophical and religious concepts
• The style is marked by a departure from the more straightforward and ornamental poetry of the Elizabethan era, instead favoring a more intellectual and introspective approach

Conceits and Their Role in Metaphysical Poetry

• A conceit is an extended metaphor that compares two seemingly unrelated objects or ideas in an unusual or surprising way
• Metaphysical poets use conceits to draw connections between the physical world and abstract concepts, often relating to spirituality, love, or the human condition
• For example, in one of his poems, Edward Taylor compares the human soul to a spinning wheel, highlighting the idea of spiritual transformation and the soul's relationship with God
• Conceits allow metaphysical poets to explore complex ideas in a compact and intellectually stimulating manner, challenging readers to think deeply about the relationships between different aspects of life and spirituality

Devotional Poetry and the Baroque Style

• Many metaphysical poets, including Edward Taylor, wrote devotional poetry that focused on the individual's relationship with God and the search for spiritual enlightenment
• Devotional poetry often takes the form of prayers, meditations, or reflections on religious themes, expressing the poet's personal faith and struggles with spirituality
• Metaphysical poetry is also associated with the Baroque style, which emphasizes grandeur, complexity, and emotional intensity in art and literature
• The Baroque influence can be seen in the intricate language, elaborate metaphors, and dramatic imagery used by metaphysical poets to convey spiritual and philosophical ideas

Literary Techniques and Themes

Typology and Biblical Symbolism

• Typology is a method of biblical interpretation that sees people, events, or symbols in the Old Testament as prefiguring or foreshadowing their counterparts in the New Testament
• Metaphysical poets, particularly those with a Puritan background like Edward Taylor, often employed typology in their poetry to draw connections between biblical stories and contemporary spiritual experiences
• For example, Taylor might use the story of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness as a metaphor for the individual soul's journey towards salvation and spiritual growth
• By using typology, metaphysical poets could imbue their work with deeper spiritual meaning and connect their own experiences to the larger narrative of biblical history

Sacramental Imagery and Spiritual Symbolism

• Metaphysical poets frequently employed sacramental imagery, drawing on the symbolism of Christian rituals and objects to explore spiritual themes
• Edward Taylor, in his Preparatory Meditations, often uses the imagery of the Eucharist (bread and wine) to represent the soul's communion with God and the transformative power of divine grace
• Other sacramental images, such as baptism or the crucifixion, might be used to symbolize spiritual cleansing, sacrifice, or the soul's union with Christ
• By incorporating sacramental imagery into their poetry, metaphysical poets could create a rich tapestry of spiritual symbolism that resonated with their religious audiences and conveyed the depth of their own devotional experiences