Question

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Read the following poem and analyze it for ideas, themes, and values that reflect the Puritan era. Be sure to ask the key questions as a guide for analysis.


from a Puritan poem by Ralph Erskine

And when the smoke ascends on high,
Then thou behold'st the vanity
Of worldly stuff,
Gone with a puff.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

And when the pipe grows foul within,
Think on thy soul defil'd with sin;
For then the fire,
It does require.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

And seest the ashes cast away;
Then to thyself thou mayest say
That to the dust
Return thou must.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

Answer 1

@wwhitlock

Answer 2

Probably a non smoker by the looks of it ...

Sarcasm decrying smoking and other things ...

the vanity Of worldly stuff, Gone with a puff.

Thinks it's repulsive ... and evil
And when the pipe grows foul within, Think on thy soul defil'd with sin;