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.

Passage: 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.

Question

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.

Passage: 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.

Eiwoh2 · Answer

Well, let's start with ideas. What can you find?