Assigned readings and course materials

American Literature Before 1865: Anne Bradstreet

A reaction to the Anne Bradstreet story

Ann Bradstreet holds a critical position in American history of writing art. She qualifies as the first American writer of poets. Her first works of poetry do not have many of her best poems. Some of her early works include "The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America": the first female literature to be published in America. Her works demonstrate a documented female struggle of a homemaker in opposition to the adversities of colonial life. Anne constantly struggled through out her entire life until her death. Anne had an exemplary faith and she deeply loved her family as shown in her "To My Dear and Loving Husband." Her works are written to reflect the prolonged periods of loneliness while her husband was busy running political errands. She became an inspiration role model because of her spirituality, humility, and her lack of interest on material affluence.

An impression of the story

The story of Anne Bradstreet gives an impression that the most vital qualities were her strong intuition. It is impossible to ignore her constant fascination with her inner guidance, human mind, and spirit. At a time when women could not air their views and ideas, Anne used her rich polyvalent knowledge and vocabulary thus doing so with ease with lines such as, "I prize thy love more than whole mines of Gold." She is deceptively unsophisticated in her writing style, and she gives an impression of a highly intelligent woman who strongly believes in unconditional faith. Even in her writing, the dreams of women were mere "empty wishes," according to her. Through these tactics, she managed to bring lyrical and commonsensical superiority to her works of literature thus making it pleasant for any person who is willing to read.

How the story relates to my life

Just as I use my diary to record key events in my life, Bradstreet recorded her feelings and notable events of her life in her poems. In one of her poems, she writes, "To My Dear and Loving Husband." This shows how she believes in love and how she values her family despite being a strong woman in a society that condemns women. She did not intend to publish her works. Through letters, she expressed her feelings to her husband and grandchildren, just as I use letters to express my feelings to other people. She uses poems to warn her child and gives life instructions to her child.

Discuss the readings, what I think of each of the stories

Bradstreet is well recognized in the American history of poetry work. Each of her stories shows her intimate perception of life like "If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee; if ever wife was happy in a man." In her works, she writes about women focusing on their capability to reason, but she also recognizes the traditional assumptions of gender roles. This has been well illustrated with use of statements such as, "Men can do best, and women know it well." Each of the readings is written in a positive and hopeful tone.

Did it have any meaning in my life?

Anne has undoubtedly made an impact in my life. She wrote, "The heavens reward thee manifold repay. Then while we live, in love let's so persevere. That when we live no more, we may live ever." This shows her skills in telling stories. One of the things I like about her is the ability to tell her stories through story telling. I have had diverse opportunities to read many books and works of poetry, but I identified with Bradstreet because her faith is similar to mine.