Anne Bradstreet's Poem: To My Dear And Loving Husband
Analysis of the Anne Bradstreet poem To My Dear and Loving Husband
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persevere
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
Note that each of the first three lines begins with "If"--a good example of anaphora. What is the effect of this repetition? Does it undermine …show more content…
the certainty that other lines seem to express? Note that it is further emphasized by breaking the regular iambic rhythm.
Scan the meter of this line, marking the accented syllables, and note its irregularity.
What words are emphasized by the change? Look for the same metric "disruption" in following lines.
Whom is this poem addressed to? If just her husband, why does she address "ye women"y here? Is she speaking to both? Or is this a private poem, probably not meant for publication? It was not published for many years.
Even by 1650 (not long before she wrote the poem), British adventurers had not given up their hope that there was a shortcut to the riches of the Indies in America. This dream, expressed frequently in Virginia, was rarely mentioned by the Puritans who had more spiritual purposes in mind. However it is interesting that she should make this particular comparison, for she certainly knew of these golden hopes--and their disappointment. Note how she uses the imagery of physical wealth and ownership to represent their emotional love, and its contrast with the spiritual element at the end of their poem.
To put out, as a fire; to satisfy a thirst; to suppress, inhibit. What does this image suggest about her feelings for him?
to compensate, pay for, return in kind, repay. Consider these three metaphors, and what she is using them to say. Also note that this word does not fit the rhyme scheme. What effect does that
have?
Why should she want to "repay" if they two are truly one?
Many times, a great deal; marked by diversity or variety
At the time, "persevere" is pronounced so that it rhymed with "ever" and, perhaps more significantly here, "sever."
What does this paradox mean? How should they live now, as lovers, if they are to live and love forever? How does this tie in with their Puritan beliefs in predestination? Note the extra syllable in these final two lines. What is its effect?
Explore in detail your response to certain words, phrases, or images (tell what they are!); your response to the genre of love/marriage poetry; your response to how the 17th century and Puritan context affect this poem; and your personal identification with the poet's situation and emotions
How would you characterize Bradstreet's feelings about her marriage? How much do you think your response reflects your own experience? Remember that hyperbolic metaphors were quite common in poetry at the time. Try to separate that poetic technique from her genuine complex--and even conflicting--emotions for her husband.
Bradstreet wrote a number of private poems to her husband, including this one and "A Letter to Her Husband." Read that and consider how the poems reinforce and even debate each other. (Here is the website of this poem in case the link does not work: http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/Bradstreet/bradlet.htm The hypertext notations really helps interpret the language!)
Note possible directions for further analyzing and interpreting the poem and any other thoughts or comparisons that have occurred to you while reading this material.
Final questions to consider:
Do you see in this poetry unresolved conflicts between her inner feelings and the doctrines of Puritan orthodoxy and ideas about marriage?
How important is the simplicity of diction that distinguishes this love poem? How is the effect of a rich poem achieved by the unself-conscious blending of fanciful imagery and forceful, declarative statements?
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persevere
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
Note that each of the first three lines begins with "If"--a good example of anaphora. What is the effect of this repetition? Does it undermine …show more content…
the certainty that other lines seem to express? Note that it is further emphasized by breaking the regular iambic rhythm.
Scan the meter of this line, marking the accented syllables, and note its irregularity.
What words are emphasized by the change? Look for the same metric "disruption" in following lines.
Whom is this poem addressed to? If just her husband, why does she address "ye women"y here? Is she speaking to both? Or is this a private poem, probably not meant for publication? It was not published for many years.
Even by 1650 (not long before she wrote the poem), British adventurers had not given up their hope that there was a shortcut to the riches of the Indies in America. This dream, expressed frequently in Virginia, was rarely mentioned by the Puritans who had more spiritual purposes in mind. However it is interesting that she should make this particular comparison, for she certainly knew of these golden hopes--and their disappointment. Note how she uses the imagery of physical wealth and ownership to represent their emotional love, and its contrast with the spiritual element at the end of their poem.
To put out, as a fire; to satisfy a thirst; to suppress, inhibit. What does this image suggest about her feelings for him?
to compensate, pay for, return in kind, repay. Consider these three metaphors, and what she is using them to say. Also note that this word does not fit the rhyme scheme. What effect does that
have?
Why should she want to "repay" if they two are truly one?
Many times, a great deal; marked by diversity or variety
At the time, "persevere" is pronounced so that it rhymed with "ever" and, perhaps more significantly here, "sever."
What does this paradox mean? How should they live now, as lovers, if they are to live and love forever? How does this tie in with their Puritan beliefs in predestination? Note the extra syllable in these final two lines. What is its effect?
Explore in detail your response to certain words, phrases, or images (tell what they are!); your response to the genre of love/marriage poetry; your response to how the 17th century and Puritan context affect this poem; and your personal identification with the poet's situation and emotions
How would you characterize Bradstreet's feelings about her marriage? How much do you think your response reflects your own experience? Remember that hyperbolic metaphors were quite common in poetry at the time. Try to separate that poetic technique from her genuine complex--and even conflicting--emotions for her husband.
Bradstreet wrote a number of private poems to her husband, including this one and "A Letter to Her Husband." Read that and consider how the poems reinforce and even debate each other. (Here is the website of this poem in case the link does not work: http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/Bradstreet/bradlet.htm The hypertext notations really helps interpret the language!)
Note possible directions for further analyzing and interpreting the poem and any other thoughts or comparisons that have occurred to you while reading this material.
Final questions to consider:
Do you see in this poetry unresolved conflicts between her inner feelings and the doctrines of Puritan orthodoxy and ideas about marriage?
How important is the simplicity of diction that distinguishes this love poem? How is the effect of a rich poem achieved by the unself-conscious blending of fanciful imagery and forceful, declarative statements?