2) A. Identify two similarities in the lives of Edward Taylor and Ann Bradstreet. B. Identify one to two key differences in their lives. Two similarities are they came with Puritans upbringing and they had hard lives. The Differences is Taylor had college experiences and politics and he saw his personal poetry as worship. Rather than Bradstreet she had a hard life she did experience politics but wasn’t as many as Taylor. She also wrote for herself in her poetry.…
In her poem “The Author to Her Book,” poet Anne Bradstreet portrays the feelings one feels as his or her work is read and criticized by others and the eventual acceptance of the faults in the writing. Bradstreet portrays this outlook on the creation process through the use of a metaphor comparing a written work- specifically a “book” in this poem –and a child.…
I think the type of love that Anne Bradstreet demonstrates through this poem is something that we should try to be practice in our daily lives. It may be through little things, but we have the incredible opportunity to allow God’s love to flow through us each and every day of our lives!…
Ann Bradstreet’s conception of a loving and giving God is not consistent with Jonathan Eduwards’, who views Him as evil and punishing. Even in the worst situation, such as the burning of her house and all of her possessions, she praises the Lord, and has enough faith to “bless His grace that gave and took” (Bradstreet 14). Bradstreet’s use of euphonious diction with soft s, c, v, and g sounds in phrases such as “bless His grace” give a tender, graceful mood to the poem. Also, her word choice has a positive connotation and suggests unconditional praise. She says that the world holds no promises for her, because her “hope and treasure lies above” (54). The irony in this line is relevant because Bradstreet has just lost everything she has ever had, but she realizes that her real treasure is found not in the material world, but in eternal salvation with God. Therefore, she views God as loving and giving due to the promises He has for her in heaven. Jonathan Edwards, however, does not view God in this way. He thinks that God, “the God that holds [him] over the pits of hell, much as one holds a spider or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors [him]” (154). Fearful and tormented, Edwards thinks that God promises nothing but eternal damnation, which contrasts greatly with Bradstreet’s conception of a loving God. By comparing a sinner to a spider, Edwards is insinuating that they are a worthless annoyance to Him. Sinners are helpless in the hands of an angry God, the way spiders are helpless in the hands of an angry person. For these reasons, Ann Bradstreet’s conception of a kind and faithful Lord is different than Jonathan Edwards’ belief in an angry, punishing…
Anne Bradstreet's The Author to Her Book describes the complex attitude of the author - specifically the attitude of an author towards her work. Through use of a controlling metaphor, that of a child, Bradstreet manages to convey all of her feelings towards one of her works.…
The standard of an ideal woman has changed dramatically over the centuries. And the differences are certainly apparent when comparing the modern expectations to the Puritan’s. The most important difference being that the standards were much stricter and the idea of an ideal Puritan woman was very prevalent in society. Consequently, many readings during the 16th century emphasizes the necessary qualities of an ideal Puritan woman. One of which is Jonathan Edwards’ essay, in which he offers a male perspective by describing his perfect woman, Sarah Pierrepont. Additionally, Anne Bradstreet reflects a female view on how an ideal Puritan woman should be through her poem, “To My Dear and Loving Husband.” Lastly,…
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 a husband and wife, displays of affection, and women who have made their place in society as leaders. These topics were not typical of women who were brought up a Puritans. In fact, the puritans did not approve of public displays of affection. They also believed that talking about intimate relationships between a man and his wife was sinful. When Anne Bradstreet wrote her “Prologue”, she knew she would face criticism for her writings. Her lines:…
In this poem the speaker is a woman. The majority of the poem she talks about what it means to be a woman in her day and age, how it limits her speech, and allows people to make unfair conclusions about her. As far as she is concerned, her critics can't even begin to look past the fact that she's a woman, or imagine that a woman could do something other than work in the kitchen.…
In the poem “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent Upon Public Employment,” Anne Bradstreet addresses the importance of her husband’s presence in her life and the emotions she experiences when he is gone at work. Clearly demonstrating education unfamiliar to women in the 1600’s as well as passion not commonly found in her time’s literary works, Bradstreet successfully portrays the connection she feels between her and her husband and the consequences of such a connection. Using earthly, physical and scientific comparisons, Bradstreet shows that her husband is the center of her world, but also attends to the fact that it does not mean he has officially replaced…
2. Compare and contrast the main themes of “To My Dear and Loving Husband” (102) by Anne Bradstreet, and “Huswifery” (101) by Edward Taylor.…
Through democratization a political culture arises that opens the doors to all who wish to participate but it is your duty to willingly offer up your opinions on how we should be governed. John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor Mill address the great opportunities that emerge and challenge the customs that hold us back.…
Mary Rowlandson and Anne Bradstreet are two women with different stories and one similar faith. Their similar faith in God and passion for writing allowed the two women to survive the contrast of hardships each woman had to endure. Furthermore, in this essay, I will compare and contrast the lives and faith of Rowlandson and Bradstreet.…
In Anne Bradstreet’s seventeenth century poem, “The Author to Her Book” she compares the awareness of nurturing and properly raising a child to the writing and revising of a book. The speaker is caught between conflicting love of her book and shame of its weaknesses, both of which are expressed in the metaphor and in the tone – both expressing the true mammalian nature of her motherhood, ultimately creating a tone of sincerity and loyalty.…
The poem expresses Anne Bradstreet religious faith towards the difficult situation the poem is based on, that is the burning of her house and belongings. Being a Puritan (English Reformed Protestants) women her religious beliefs are implemented in her writing, because she relates various verses of her poem with biblical references such has “the arm of flesh didst make thy trust?” (Psalm) which can be interpreted with not putting our faith in material things of earth such has the house, instead we should put it in God who is the giver of all things. Therefore, God is the owner of everything here on earth and he is the one who decides when to give the things and when to take them away.…
This one was different because the narrator of the poem was focusing less on independence, and more on the love between two people. The line "I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold," makes it clear that she obviously doesn't care about riches and that love is more important. She asks for nothing but love from her husband and she prays that they will be rewarded in heaven. In the last 2 lines of the poem she urges herself and her husband to persevere in their marriage until the end of their lives. Shortly after reading the last poem Anne had completed dinner. "Did you write this poem with Joel in mind?" I asked cautiously. When she returned with the food I could notice a tear rolling down her cheek, even though she was still smiling. "Sometimes, things are better left unsaid", Anne said with a distant look on her face. She wiped off the tear with he apron and I saw a look of happiness and consolation in her face. We ate dinner in silence that…