Anne Bradstreet 1612 1672 Anne Bradstreet l Born

Anne Bradstreet (1612 -1672)

Anne Bradstreet l Born Anne Dudley in Northampton, England in 1612. l Father managed Earl of Lincoln’s estate l Provided daughter with excellent educational opportunities during her early years. l At age 16, married Simon Bradstreet. ¡ Year after their marriage, he was appointed to assist with preparations for Massachusetts Bay Company. l In 1630, the Bradstreets (and her father) boarded John Winthrop’s flagship Arabella to begin the Puritans’ journey to the colonies.

Anne Bradstreet l Poetry reflects Bradstreets’ happy life, despite its hardships. l 8 children (all successful and had large families of their own) l First in the British colonies to have a book of poetry published. ¡Tenth Must Lately Sprung Up in America l. Originally published without her knowledge l. Did make revisions & additions for 2 nd edition • published in 1678, 6 years after her death

Anne Bradstreet l Types of Poetry ¡ Religious Meditations l Individual prayers from his own distress l Published after her death (not meant for public view) ¡ Domestic Poems l “Upon the Burning of Our House” ¡ Love Poems l “To My Dear and Loving Husband” ¡ Elegiac Poems l Epitaphs about her loved ones l “In Memory of My Dear Grandchild” ¡ Contemplations

Anne Bradstreet l Types of Poetry ¡Contemplations l 33 stanzas • Each was its own entity • All were interrelated l. Expressed the poet’s recognition of God in nature (a rare subject at that time)

Anne Bradstreet l Her long poems are reflections & imitations of her favorite poets: ¡Bartas (Divine Weeks & Works – 1605) ¡Salluste ¡Sir Walter Raleigh (History of the World)

Anne Bradstreet l Poetry reflects trials about her new circumstances in New World l Sometimes questions truth & spiritual matters accepted by her religious sect (Puritans). ¡Her poetry does not reflect the avenging God of the Puritans l. Ideal of divine and tender love predominates

Anne Bradstreet l “I have often been perplexed that I have not found that constant joy in my pilgrimage and refreshing which I supposed most of the Servants of God have…Yet have I many times sinkings and droopings, and not enjoyed that felicity that sometimes I have done. But when I have been in darkness and seen no light, yet have I desired to stay my self upon the Lord…”

Anne Bradstreet l Characteristics of her works ¡Self-effacing “apology” ¡Preference for balance ¡Attachment to nature and the body ¡Humor & irony ¡Historic and mythic heroines ¡Domestic as authoritative ¡Direct, simple language & imagery

Websites l http: //www. annebradstreet. com/anne_brad street_poems. htm l Hypertext site: l http: //www. vcu. edu/engweb/webtexts/Brad street/index. html