Question

Analyze the poem for ideas, themes, and values that reflect the Puritan era.

Passage: from a Puritan poem by Ralph Erksine

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;
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

If you don't understand certain words, feel free to ask


Hints for understanding this is to look for what idea is mostly repeated along the poem
Think "smoke", "ashes", "tobacco"