Anne Bradstreet s Poem, My Dear And Loving Husband

Throughout history women have always taken second chair next to men. Women were thought to be the weaker, less intellectual, and less valuable sex. Many women accepted their position in life, and never bothered to strive for more, however, Anne Bradstreet did. She knew she could be much more than the simple ‘house wife’ she was meant be; she valued herself to be more, and took to poetry as a means of communicating her views on life; not knowing one day she would be the famous female American poet she is today. Even with eight children, Anne Bradstreet found time to express her interests and views by writing in her poetry journal. Out of all her many poems, ‘To My Dear and Loving Husband’ stuck out as, one with a simple message, with hidden meanings throughout. Though Bradstreet is known as one who made large bounds for her fellow women, the fact that she relies on her husband for a sense of self is present in the second line of the poem. Bradstreet â€Å"using the word â€Å"man,† not the corresponding term â€Å"husband†; this grants him a level of independence from the relationship that she does not give herself (Kelly).† The fact that there seems to be unevenness in the marriage is indicative of the puritan culture. Puritan women are vulnerable and servers to their husbands, not partners as they are thought of today. Even with her role as ‘wife’ Bradstreet is able to challenge many of the stereotypes that women faced during the late 1600’s. â€Å"If it was not for the use of poetry,Show MoreRelatedAnne Bradstreet s Poem, Before The Birth Of One Of Her Children878 Words   |  4 PagesAccording to literary critics, Anne Bradstreet writes her poetry using one of two voices or sometimes both. One of Annes voices being Mistress Bradstreet— a good puritan wife and mother. Anne Bradstreet uses topic, tone, diction, and imagery to develop the voice of Mistress Bradstreet in her poem â€Å"Before the Birth of One of Her Children.† After reading this poem, I immediately identified the voice of Mistress Bradstreet in the topic. Anne, preparing for the possibility of death during childbirthRead MoreAnne Bradstreet Essay1423 Words   |  6 Pages1600’s In the 1600’s, Puritans living in both England and New England held their views on God rather tightly and lived their lives as good Christians. Puritans were selfless individuals who had escaped and came to America in search of religious freedom and peace. In literature during that time period, it is made very clear that everything the Puritans had accomplished or acquired was a result of God, and that they were forever in his debt. One of the great poets from this time era was Anne BradstreetRead More Anne Bradstreets Poem Essay example1028 Words   |  5 PagesAnne Bradstreets Poem To my Dear and Loving Husband Anne Bradstreet?s poem, ?To my Dear and Loving Husband? presents a beautiful love theme. Of ever two were one, then surely we (1). This quotation is important because Bradstreet is pointing out that she does not feel as though she is one individual person. And one of the first questions that come to my mind is if Bradstreet was trying to make a point for all wives to be that way or she felt insecure about her own self. The poem itselfRead MoreEssay on Anne Bradstreet and Her Feelings Toward Men1528 Words   |  7 PagesAnne Bradstreet and Her Feelings Toward Men Growing up in the early 1600s was a tough time for many people, especially women. Women were very much discriminated against and made to fulfill the duties that were in the household and nothing else beyond that. Anne Bradstreet was a woman that grew up during this time as a Puritan. Puritans believed that humans could only achieve goodness if they worked hard, were self-disciplined, and constantly examining themselves to make sure that they wereRead MoreAnne Bradstreet : The First American Poet And Woman Writer Of America924 Words   |  4 Pages Anne Bradstreet Anne Bradstreet was the first American poet and woman writer of America. Bradstreet was a well-educated woman; she used her father’s library to educate her self. Bradstreet’s writings were about her personal and puritan life. Her poetry expresses emotional and personal feelings. She produces a strong Puritan voice and also was one of the first to write English in the American colonies. Anne Bradstreet individualism lies in her choice of material rather than her style. Anne BradstreetRead MoreAspects of Poetry931 Words   |  4 Pagesbreak the mini lesson down into two parts. It will help you understand the differences between a poem and a sonnet, and will make it easier to absorb all of the components involved. First we will start with a sonnet. Let’s start by talking about just what a sonnet is. â€Å"Before Shakespeare’s day, the word â€Å"sonnet† meant simply â€Å"little song,† i.e., a short lyric poem† (poetry.about.com, 2010). By the 1200’s, the sonnet had come to be known as a form of poetry that is comprised of 14 lines. The firstRead MoreAmerican Literature : A Look At Anne Bradstreet And Phyllis Wheatley1680 Words   |  7 PagesSeptember 2015 Trailblazers of American Literature: A Look at Anne Bradstreet and Phyllis Wheatley Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) and Phyllis Wheatley (1753–1784), although over a century apart, were pioneers of women’s American literature. There are interesting similarities as well as differences between these two women, but the obstacles they would each face, and ultimately overcome would help to pave the road for women all over the world. Bradstreet, a well educated woman from a wealthy, puritan familyRead MoreReconciling Sexuality with Spirituality Essay1721 Words   |  7 PagesAt first perusal, Anne Bradstreet’s writing adheres to a very Puritan sensibility: she argues that women, though they are worthy individuals, are naturally inferior to men and that earthly treasures are mere distractions from heavenly eternity. But, woven beneath the surface of her poems is the subtle revelation of her sexuality. Bradstreet eroticizes the complex relationship between nature, religion, her husband and herself, seemingly contradicting her religion, but by contextua lizing the sexualityRead MoreA Declaration Of Undying Love1955 Words   |  8 Pagestext. Two poets from two separate eras each wrote a poem with just such a theme. Anne Bradstreet in â€Å"To My Dear and Loving Husband† and Edgar Allan Poe in â€Å"Annabel Lee† created magic by writing these poems that express a love for another that transcends time and place. In order to understand the depth behind both poets’ poems, they must be contextualized in the eras that they were written. Bradstreet wrote â€Å"To My Dear and Loving Husband† in 1678 at a time when a Puritan influence was prevalentRead MoreElements of English Lit ; Contrast Compare Two Stories and Poem2705 Words   |  11 Pageskeep the reader’s interest. Many readers are only interested in certain types of literature or certain authors. This study is based on an analysis of one poem, and two short stories, â€Å"A Rose for Emily† by William Faulkner, â€Å"A Story of an Hour† by Kate Chopin, and â€Å"To My Dear and Loving Husband† by Anne Bradstreet. Both the short stories and poem show some similarities and differences in their settings, characters, and conflicts. I will examine how the authors have made an impression on me as