Compare And Contrast Anne Bradstreet And Edwards

During a time when religious views and political dominance reigned over many Puritan members of the New English Society, in early 1700s, many authors stepped up to give their views on popular topics. When looking at two well known Puritan Age authors, Anne Bradstreet and Jonathan Edwards, it is easy to see that they differ views about the topic of religion and style of writing. Edwards’ sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” presents the message of humanity being plagued by sin despite the efforts made to please God. His sermon often expressed that God shows no mercy upon “sinners” and humanity is just hanging by a thin thread from “eternal damnation”. An excerpt from his sermon, "The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider
Edwards is notorious for having a powerful and fearful way of writing. He uses figurative languages like hyperboles, personifications, and biblical illusions to draw his audience in. Edwards’ sermon itself is known to strike the Fear of God into his audience. It’s no wonder that words like, “The pit hath opened it’s mouth under them.” inflicts a sense of danger to his readers. Bradstreet on the other hand uses faith, compassion, and love of God in her Poems to draw attention from readers. Her words from “To My Dear and Loving Husband”, “The heavens reward, thee manifold, I pray/ Then while we live, in love let’s so prepare”(lines 10-11) shows her faith in God to make everything right in the end. Bradstreet also uses a handful of figurative languages such as hyperboles, metaphors, and allusions to the Bible. Bradstreet and Edwards both have their own way of writing and expressing their beliefs.
When looking at two Puritan authors, Anne Bradstreet and Jonathan Edwards, many differences can be found and examined. Both writers have unique beliefs of faith and different writing styles to present those