Abstract
This paper explains that Anne Bradstreet lived and wrote poetry during the middle decades of the 17th century. The author examines the Puritan themes in two of Bradstreet's more recognized works "To My Dear and Loving Husband" and "Verses Upon the Burning of Our House". The paper compares these two poems to reveal the Puritan themes of devotion to one's husband and devotion to one's God.

From the Paper
"Anne Bradstreet lived and wrote poetry during the middle decades of the 17th century. At that time, she was incredibly steeped in Puritan tradition, owing to her cultural heritage and upbringing. This fact is incredible evident in her poetry, as it expresses many of the dominant themes of Puritanism. This essay examines two of Bradstreet's more recognized works - "To My Dear and Loving Husband" and "Verses Upon the Burning of Our House." The two poems will be compared in order to demonstrate how both works are an expression of Puritan ideology, namely the primacy of men and God. "To My Dear and Loving Husband" is a poem about just what the title would have readers believe. Amazingly, there is no irony or sarcasm lurking beneath Bradstreet's lines."

Tags:anne, bradstreet, poetry

Abstract
A literary analysis of Anne Bradstreet and her role in early American literature. The paper discusses her poem, "The Author to her Book," and its origins, as well as the roles women in the seventeenth century were expected to play.

From the Paper
"The theme Bradstreet used when calling her work her offspring continued throughout the poem, and only emphasized her distinctive style of writing poetry. Her work was quite unlike the work of many male poets of the seventeenth century. Though she was very cautious in publishing her work, America and society found a brilliant Puritan writer of her time. Although society in that era looked down on women as published writers and intellectuals, Bradstreet's quality of work speaks for itself."

Tags:anne, author, book, bradstreet

Abstract
A critical analysis of Anne Bradstreet and her life and works as a representation of her times.

Tags:anne, bradstreet

Abstract
This paper examines the life of Anne Bradstreet, an interesting and complex poet who wrote during a time when women poets were not encouraged to pursue their talents. It discusses how Bradstreet's life, was a dissent from the norm and the quiet rebellion she waged against her religion can be considered in the comprehensive study of one of her most famous poems "To My Dear and Loving Husband" which illustrates the rebellion and feminist theory that Bradstreet was quietly expressing. It shows how Bradstreet's subtlety emits her feelings of discontent and expresses her willingness and desire to rebel against what she didn't agree with. Even if not admired at the time, Bradstreet's poems will always be considered works of a great poet and inspiring to all readers.

From the Paper
"Unfortunately, there is a great deal of mystery surrounding the facts about Bradstreet's life, making it hard to link pieces of her history with her poetry. As Piercy points out, "There is no portrait of Anne Bradstreet, no marker left to indicate her grave, no house left standing nor its location certain" (24). Reid adds that "even her birth date is disputed, born either in 1612 or 1613"(518). However, certain facts are known that help give insight to her poetry. Born Anne Dudley supposedly in Northampton, England, she married Simon Bradstreet when she was 16. She moved many times, as her father and husband wished, consistent with their demanding political careers."

Tags:feminism, puritian, rebellion

Abstract
Anne Bradstreet and Phillis Wheatley have the unique distinction of being two firsts in American feminism. Bradstreet was the first American female poet to have her work published and Phillis Wheatley was the first black female poet to have her work become known and published. This paper shows that, because of their bravery and fame for breaking the gender and race barriers to the expression of women's voices, Bradstreet and Wheatley are intrinsically feminist artists -- for no other reason than that they were female and they were influential in the advancement of female art. On the other hand, the paper shows that neither woman could particularly be considered revolutionaries in their own time (both catered to the existing system rather exaggeratedly) and in this time would certainly not even be considered feminists. Both Bradstreet and Wheatley conformed to what was expected of them. With their subtle way of being feminist by conducting themselves within their proper gender roles and imitating male forms in their art, these two prefigured the entire vein of feminist thought and action which attempts to win a place for woman by acting professionally male and privately feminine.

From the Paper
"One of the critiques that has been consistently leveled against both Wheatley and Bradstreet is that their work is derivative and lacking in innovation. In their own era, this charge was used to suggest that women were incapable of high poetic flights of genius. In later eras, it was further used to show that both were overly conformed to "The standard poetic conventions used by men" (Schlotterbeck) of the era and thus failed to find authentic female voices. It is certain that "Bradstreet and Wheatley used the poetic conventions of the day, which is evident in the form of their poetry. It is not too adventurous stylistically." (Schlotterbeck) The critique that women are not capable of poetic brilliance is certainly false, for these women no doubt could have had originality in their form and adventurism in their choice of topics had they not needed to conform to male standards in order to be published."

Tags:Puritan, negro, poetry

Abstract
By reviewing Anne Bradstreet's poems "The Flesh and the Spirit" and "Upon the Burning of Our House" , this paper analyzes Anne Bradstreet's views of how the Earth cannot fulfill her heavenly desires, in which only God can. Her concern with how people become less attached to God when they have many material possessions is another theme that is addressed in the paper. Finding God's will though hard work, prayer, and sacrifice is the only way to attain salvation, according to Bradstreet. The reluctance of people to practice these values makes the world an evil place to live in, according to the poet.

From the Paper
"The pursuit of spiritual gains rather than earthly items is a major theme Bradstreet uses to show how important eternal salvation is for humans, especially the Puritans of her time. Bradstreet illustrates how important it is to look to heaven in her poem, "The Flesh and the Spirit." She states, "My garments are not silk nor gold, / Nor such trash which earth doth hold, / But royal robes I shall have on, / More glorious than the glistering sun" (304). According to Bradstreet, all the riches of the Earth cannot compare to what is stored in heaven, which contains treasures far beyond imagining. This unimaginable treasure stored in heaven should be motivation enough to pursue God's will. She also describes in the poem achieving eternal salvation from working God's will rather than pursuing earthly desires. She says, "The stately walls both high and strong, / Are made of precious jasper stone, / The gates of pearl, both rich and clear, / And angels for porters there; / The streets thereof transparent gold, / Such as no eye did ever behold" (304). Heaven is two times better than Earth because not only does it contain an infinite amount of treasure, but it is made of treasure as well. Bradstreet feels the Earth does not offer this type of reward, and in essence fails her, because the world contains nothing more than weak-willed people who choose to sin."

Tags:imagery, poet, religious, spiritual

Abstract
The paper examines the tone and style in Anne Bradstreet's poems and compares them to Michael Wigglesworth's "The Day of Doom". The paper contrasts the presence of Puritanism in both poets' works and brings out how Wigglesworth's reflection of Puritanism leads to heavy handed and unpleasing poetry, while Bradstreet's more open minded nature is reflected in the depth and breadth of her poems.`

From the Paper
"The first and most obvious issue that shows the differences in spirit with which these two writers undertook their creation of poetry is their choice of subject matter. Anne Bradstreet wrote on a variety of subjects, and true to the Elizabethan tradition that she can clearly seen as a part of her titles are incredibly descriptive, allowing just the mention of several of these to become and adequate illustration of Bradstreet's topical breadth: "The Author to her Book," "In Reference to Her Children," "Upon Some Distemper of Body," and "The Vanity of All Worldly Things" illustrate the poet's thoughts on a multitude of subjects that pertained to Puritan life. She has poems that warn, though she always stops short of outright condemnation; poems that contain the overflows of joy and love; poems that are meant to instruct, or lament, and every other human emotional response that typically finds expression in poetry."

Tags:style, tone, rhyme, religion

Abstract
This paper analyzes and compares Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "How Do I Love Thee" and Anne Bradstreet's "To My Dear and Loving Husband." The paper notes that although these love poems were written two centuries apart, they share the concept of unwavering love, the sense of being completed by one's mate, and the testament that true love never changes over the years and will always satisfy. The paper explains that Bradstreet's poem has more intimate tone because she composed it for her husband, while Browning describes love in far-reaching metaphors, often showing religious overtones. The paper concludes that the poems share the bond of utter devotion, and that the authors allow readers to see the unique depths of their love through metaphors, symbols, mood, and tone.

From the Paper
"The intended audience is different for each poem; in "To My Dear and Loving Husband," the poet is speaking directly to her husband as opposed to making a more declarative statement as we see in "How Do I Love Thee." Bradstreet is speaking directly to her husband and Browning is speaking to readers. This difference does not diminish the effect of either poem but it is significant when examining strategy. We can look at Bradstreet's poem as more personal in that she might not have intended this poem for public consumption and even if she did, she still chose to address her husband directly, giving him all of her attention. Bradstreet's poem is also composed with a mood and tone of humility, indicating that the love she shares with her husband is invaluable."

Tags:poetry, romantic, undying, intimate, everlasting

Abstract
This paper discusses the poetry of Anne Bradstreet (who was only published once during her lifetime and without her knowledge ). Bradstreet had emigrated to New England as a young wife in 1630, and her poetry exemplifies a variety of themes related to home and hearth in the New World.

From the Paper
"Bradstreet offers more in-depth philosophic and religious analysis in other poems. Bradstreet's poem "Contemplations" is an aptly-named poetic meditation with a didactic purpose. The poet uses images of nature such as could be seen in a given day as a way of evoking a sense of God and of the connection between the human lifespan and the larger metaphysical realm of God. The poem is in the first person, with the poet-narrator explaining her views as she observes nature and makes links between the images she sees there and her inner religious beliefs. This use of the first-person personalizes the narrative and brings the reader into the consciousness of the poet directly. We are brought by the poet into her contemplations. We know that the experiences she relates about nature are her own, and we know that the thoughts that these encounters engender are her own."

Tags:poetry, new, england, puritan, feminism

Abstract
The following paper examines the philosophy of Bradstreet, one of the greatest (and only) female writers of early American history, as a study in doubt, conviction, and compromise. It reveals how her philosophy is a study in trying not to believe what one believes.

From the paper:

"There is in her work little of the thought out philosopher, for she must too often deny her own ability to think to be able to put forth a coherent system of thought. Nonetheless, the struggle that exists mutedly through-out her work is philosophy in itself, and it says: Deny what you must to be what you must, for this is the way to social peace and even to heaven".

Tags:simplicity, tribute, anti-social, social, peace, conviction, Socrates, romantic, era, puritan