Anne Bradstreet : The First American Poet And Woman Writer Of America

Anne Bradstreet was a woman in conflict. She was a Puritan wife and a poet. There is a conflict between Puritan theology and her own personal feelings on life. Many of her poems reveal her eternal conflict regarding her emotions and the beliefs of her religion. The two often stood in direct opposition to each other. Her Puritan faith demanded that she seek salvation and the promises of Heaven. However, Bradstreet felt more strongly about her life on Earth. She was very. She was very attached to her family and community. Bradstreet loved her life and the Earth.

Animal farm by George Orwell, and Malala Yousafzai's speech at the United Nations share the topic of change through different themes, as seen in Animal Farm by George Orwell change is seen as one of the major ways the elite maintain high power, while in Malala's speech at the United Nations change is feared by the elite because it might bring equality to the society. Though no one animal is confident in their thinking, the killing of some of the animals on the farm seemed like it broke the guidelines of one of the commandments. Some of the animals are starting to speculate if what Napoleon did is wrong. This speculation arose because the animals think,” the Sixth Commandment decreed ‘No animal shall kill any other animal’” (91).  

Between the years 1633 and 1652, Anne had her eight children and many domestic responsibilities, but she also wrote her poetry which expresses her commitment to the craft of writing. In addition, her work reflects the religious and emotional conflicts she experienced as a woman writer and as a Puritan. Bradstreet was concerned with the issues of sin and redemption, physical and emotional frailty, death and immortality throughout her life.

Bradstreet was the first writer in America to be published and recognized by publishers, becoming a prominent writer in early English writings. Her writings were primarily based on her relationship with her husband, who was often away from home and would get her poems from afar. She knew that writing poems to her husband without including things about Christianity would raise eyes from others if it was published and receive criticism; however, with them included, they would be seen differently, so she was prompted to include things about Christianity to avoid those criticisms. Her writings would often talk about how she loved her husband so much and missed him dearly, stating even if they were separated by land their love would know no measure

Anne Bradstreet, a well-educated woman, strong in her Puritan beliefs, captured her thoughts by writing poetry, which included works such as “Contemplations” which was preceded by “The Prologue”. Written in the mid 1600’s as the colonies were beginning to form, Bradstreet’s poem included themes of religion, nature, and family. Although she claims to have written them without the intent of publication, a collection of her poetry was printed in 1650. She identifies her struggles with faith, yet writes from the view of a faithful woman who recognizes the superior role of men in her society. Although appearing to be modest and undermining her talents, it seems evident that Bradstreet was, in reality, confident that as a well educated women she was capable of writing just as well as a man. Although it is claimed that Anne Bradstreet did not intend for her writing to be published, her poetry utilizes a feminist tone and theme of higher education conveying her hidden desires to prove herself as a female author.

Anne Bradstreet was America's first noteworthy poet in spite of the fact that she was a woman. Both the daughter and wife of Massachusetts governors, Bradstreet suffered all of the hardships of colonial life, was a mother, and still found time to write. Her poem, "The Author to Her Book," is an example of Bradstreet's excellent use of literary techniques while expressing genuine emotion and using domestic subject matter.

Anne Bradstreet, as a poet, wrote as both a Puritan woman in her time and as a woman ahead of her time. Zach Hutchins analyzed this tension in “The Wisdom of Anne Bradstreet: Eschewing Eve and Emulating Elizabeth”, and makes a primary argument that three of Bradstreet’s poems provide evidence that Bradstreet rejects the Puritan views of a woman while keeping her own personal faith. Hutchins fither his argument by declaring that readers should not view Bradstreet as a symbol of rebellion or submission, instead as a symbol of wisdom.

Even though, she will not be able to repay him with money as materialistic things are not of value, Bradstreet will write about him in her poetry, to show him her gratitude and express her love for him. I feel that Bradstreet wrote her poems about her father to impress him and make sure he knew that she was doing everything she could to repay him and show him her gratefulness for life. Bradstreet never discredits her father or places any blame on him for anything happening in her life, which was true of Puritan beliefs at that time.

The poem “To my Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet, is not just an exceedingly felt expression of a wife’s marital love and commitment to her husband, as it is about a puritan women who is supposed to be reserved but she makes it her obligation to enlighten her husband of her devotion. A thorough analysis of the poem’s paradox, hyperbole, imagery and repetition reveals how she conveys her message.

In addition, Bradstreet expressed a need for equality. She wanted people to take a step back and glimpse back to history, “Let Greeks be Greeks, and women what they are;” (240). In Greece, women were equal among men, as were the Gods and Goddesses. In the seventh stanza of “The Prologue,” Bradstreet gives her most strong cry out for recognition, still however, it is subtle, “Men have precedeny and still excel,/ It is but vain unjustly to wage war;/men can do best, and women know it well/ Preeminence in all and each is yours;/ Yet grant some small acknowledgement of ours” (240). Also in this quote is Bradstreet’s observance of men in their natural state. She sees men as war hungry, vain and powerful. Consequently, Anne Bradstreet faced a double bind. If she voiced her thoughts, opinions, and beliefs, she would have put herself in danger, and by not saying anything, she would force herself to go on living in a patriarchy.

In 1628, Anne Bradstreet married her father’s assistant, Simon Bradstreet, upon which she began to use her husband’s surname of Bradstreet (Eberwein 161). Consequent to their nuptials, Simon Bradstreet moved into the Earl’s house to live with Anne and her family (“Anne Bradstreet”). In May of 1630, Bradstreet embarked on the Arbella for a protracted, two-month journey with her husband and parents (Gordon 3). Bradstreet encountered sickness, hunger, and squalid living conditions throughout her journey (“Anne Bradstreet”). The Arbella was designed as a merchant ship, and although larger than its counterparts, was unprepared for the voyage to the New World, “...she carried ten thousand gallons of beer but only thirty-five hundred gallons of water, which could not be kept potable for very long...” (White 105). Like Bradstreet, other passengers became ill during their journey due to the deficiency in making proper arrangements (White 104-105). Once the onerous journey ceased, the Bradstreets arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where The Bradstreets moved around until finally settling in Andover in 1642. Once living in Andover, Bradstreet and her husband had eight children between the years 1633 and 1652 . As she had many children, she had many chores as well. Bradstreet would write as her schedule would allow, mostly in between performing her domestic duties (“Anne Bradstreet”).

Bradstreet wanted her poetry to remain private. She accepted her poetry unconditionally, like a mother accepts her child, because if she tried to correct the poem's flaws more flaws appeared. A distinct expression of Bradstreet true love to her

Everywhere you look, all around the world, there are corporations, businesses, and companies. You can hear about them through all different types of advertisements and news outlets. It seems as if we are always helping companies by supporting them. We buy their products and promote their business. One question a lot of people wonder are “How are companies giving back”? These businesses do this in many ways. This is called Social Responsibility (Schiffman & Kanuk, 2010). This is the corporation’s obligation to give back to the society in a positive way (Schiffman & Kanuk, 2010).

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Anne Bradstreet was not the typical Puritan author. She wrote sweet and loving poems that greatly contrasted from other writers of her time. She did not write the ever so popular sermons that told people that they were going to hell and there was nothing they could do about it. Bradstreet was a rarity in Puritan times, she was a very educated woman that worked on something other than being a woman in the household. She was one of a kind and the beginning of an era. Using literary criticism when reading Anne Bradstreet’s poems adds a deeper understanding of her character and difficulties in life.