What Is Edward Taylor Comparing Himself To In Meditation Six?

Unraveling the Threads of Metaphor: Edward Taylor’s Self-Comparison in Meditation Six

Edward Taylor, a name synonymous with early American poetry and the Puritan penchant for intertwining the spiritual with the everyday, crafts his identity through a complex mesh of metaphor in “Meditation Six.” Steeped in religious fervor and an intense humility before the divine, Taylor’s work is a labyrinth of symbolism waiting to be decoded.

The Humble Spinner: Taylor’s Crafty Comparison

Navigating through “Meditation Six,” one can’t help but marvel at Taylor’s profound self-comparison to a spinning wheel. Now, hang tight; this isn’t going to be your run-of-the-mill metaphor. Taylor is doing more than just saying, “Hey, I’m kinda like a spinning wheel.” He’s delving into the nitty-gritty, the very essence of what it means to be a humble servant in the hands of a divinely skilled craftsman.

The spinning wheel, in this context, becomes a multifaceted representation of Taylor’s spiritual condition and endeavors. It’s as though he’s unfolding before us, saying, “Look, just as a spinning wheel transforms the rough fiber into smooth thread, I too am being shaped and refined by the divine weaver’s hand.”

1. The Fiber and the Wheel: Taylor sees himself as raw material, unspun and coarse, in need of the divine spinner’s touch to be transformed into something of worth and beauty. It’s not just about being a work in progress; it’s about willingly submitting to that transformation, acknowledging the inherent imperfections without the divine intervention.

2. The Craft of Spinning: In drawing this comparison, Taylor isn’t just waxing poetic about crafts and craftspeople. He’s hinting at a much deeper, more intricate process—the sanctification of the human soul. He sees his life and spiritual journey as a craft, meticulously shaped by God’s hand. The spinning wheel, with its connotations of hard work, persistence, and attention to detail, mirrors Taylor’s view of his own spiritual labor and the divine craftsmanship shaping his existence.

So, what’s the big deal about being a spinning wheel, you might wonder? It’s all about humility and transformation. Taylor uses this metaphor not just to illustrate his own spiritual journey, but to offer a model for others. He’s saying, “We’re all a bit rough around the edges, aren’t we? But with a bit of divine spinning, we might just turn out alright.”

The Immortal Thread: Beyond the Wheel

Edging past the spinning wheel, Taylor’s meditation swoops into the lofty realms of eternity. It’s not just about being spun into thread; it’s about what happens to that thread in the grand tapestry of the divine. Taylor, in his quiet, contemplative way, nudges us to ponder our place in the universe—not just as individuals being shaped by divine hands but as part of an eternal design, threads in a celestial fabric.

So, when you next come across Edward Taylor’s “Meditation Six,” take a moment. Think about the spinning wheel, not just as a quaint piece of historical machinery, but as a powerful metaphor for spiritual transformation and labor. Dive into the depths of Taylor’s comparison and find where you might see your thread in the divine tapestry. It’s a journey worth taking, led by one of early American literature’s most skilled guides.