Anne Bradstreet s The New World - 1385 Words

Anne Bradstreet is revered as America’s first female poet and the first published poet of the New World. Born in England in 1612, Anne immigrated to the New World with waves of Puritan refugees escaping Angelican and Catholic persecution (Gordon, 88). As a successful mother of 8 children and a loyal housewife, Anne embodied the ideal Puritan woman. Yet, Bradstreet defied several Puritan social codes, namely writing in a time women were considered inferior to men. It was seen as an affront to God for women to act out of their preordained social role. Women were considered weak-minded and frail, unfit to take part in the higher discussions of politics and religion. Part of the main body of Anne Bradstreet’s work is both feminine worth and†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Secure men would gladly acknowledge when a woman accomplished something worth noting† (Wilson, 115) In Anne’s Elegy, â€Å"In Honour of that High and Mighty Princess, Queen ELIZABETHâ₠¬ , the narrator takes the role of a woman â€Å"who identifies with a feminist view of the wrongs done to women.† (Rosenmeier, 44) Through a posthumous celebration of the Queen and her accomplishments, the speaker argues of women’s worth beyond simple housework and child-rearing. The speaker argues that Elizabeth’s triumphs in war and diplomacy are â€Å"argument enough to make† naysayers â€Å"mute† (Poem, 18). To further her statement, the speaker reminds us that to â€Å"say our sex is void of reason† was once punishable by death (Poem, 81). â€Å"It is not too much to suggest that in the prospect of Eliza s return lies the implicit promise that this poor, loyal, simple speaker will be restored to wholeness and power.† (Rosenmeier, 45) It is entirely possible for a Christian Queen to â€Å"play the Rex† (Poem, 12). If a woman can rule over men justly and have the kingdom prosper, anything is possible. (Gordon, 194) This in cludes a Godly Puritan woman writing poetry and being successful among male poetsShow MoreRelatedFeminist Poets Like Emily Dickinson And Anne Bradstreet881 Words   |  4 Pageswomen and for centuries, they have struggled to find their place in a world that is predominantly male oriented. The treatment of women was remarkably negative; they were expected to stay home and fulfil the domestic duties. Literature of that time embodies and mirrors social issues of women in society (Lecture on the Puritans). But, slowly and gradually, situation being changed: â€Å"During the first half of the 19th century, women s roles in society evolved in the areas of occupational, moral, and socialRead More`` Contemplations `` By Anne Bradstreet Essay1462 Words   |  6 Pagesevident in the poem â€Å"Contemplations† by Anne Bradstreet. In order to fully understand how Bradstreet foreshadowed later themes in â€Å"Contemplations†, the context of the Colonial time must be examined, al ong with famed works from the Transcendental period. For starters, Anne Bradstreet was fathered by a man named Thomas Dudley. Dudley was the â€Å"manager of the country estate of the Puritan Earl of Lincoln†. At the tender age of sixteen, Anne met Simon Bradstreet, a man who shared the same Puritan idealsRead MoreWomen s Role For Literature887 Words   |  4 Pagesquestioned and for centuries, they have struggled to find their place in a world that is predominantly male oriented. The treatment of women was extremely negative; they were expected to stay home and fulfill domestic duties. Literature of that time embodies and mirrors social issues of women in society (Lecture on the Puritans). But, slowly and gradually, situation being changed: â€Å"During the first half of the 19th century, women s roles in society evolved in the areas of occupational, moral, and socialRead 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 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 MoreLiterary Elements Of The Flesh And The Spirit1472 Words   |  6 Pagesreligious confidence is regularly so warmed that one can not generally settle on an unmistakable choice. Anne Bradstreet, the author of the poem â€Å"The Flesh and the Spirit† was a puritan woman who lived in the 1600’s. Anne Bradstreet uses voice, imagery, and metaphor to show her inner clash between the humanly body and spirit, while confronting the cruel and new condition in the New World. Anne Bradstreet uses voice on various occasions throughout the poem. One of the most present use of voice is in theRead MoreThe Puritan And The Embodiment Of Enlightenment1228 Words   |  5 Pagesinfluence, and to always question the status-quo. Anne Bradstreet and Benjamin Franklin give a glimpse of the time period during the creation of their works. Many factors affect their writing: gender and the reason for writing, references to non-Biblical scriptures, and the presence of God. Perhaps the most significant display of the differences during the two time periods would be the reference to God in the writers’ works. As a Puritan woman, Anne Bradstreet is through and through preached to that, theRead 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 and Phyllis Wheatley: Pioneers for Womens Rights1114 Words   |  5 PagesAnne Bradstreet and Phyllis Wheatley: Pioneers for Women’s Rights Anne Bradstreet (1600’s) and Phyllis Wheatley (1700’s) wrote poetry in two different centuries. Their topics, themes and the risks these women took in their writings are groundbreaking in that they paved the way for women’s rights today. Both women are known as the first published poets of the new world. Bradstreet’s writings were first published in 1650 and her poetry included controversial subjects such as the relationship between