Anne Bradstreet - A Breath of Fresh Air

 http://www.nines.org/exhibits/snewman227s10 

Anne Bradstreet is a prominent American poet who lived in the 17^th century.  Her life had many similarities to other authors at that time—she crossed the Atlantic at the age of eighteen, was close to prominent government officials and was a stanch Puritan.  Nevertheless, her works bring a breath of fresh air into both the grim, theological Puritan New England as well as the more worldly English entrepreneurs.  Comparing Bradstreet to other influential writers of her time, say John Smith and John Winthrop, will show what a stunning difference this early American writer was.

To begin with, one finds true encouragement and hope in the writings of Anne Bradstreet.  One of her poems, titled “Upon the Burning of Our House, July 10^th 1666,” contains a particularly grim subject, yet Bradstreet’s conclusion and heavenly outlook is so optimistic, that it nearly blots out the trials previously discussed.  Her summarizing lines assert,

Thou hast an house on high erect,

Fram’d by that mighty Architect,

With glory richly furnished,

Stands permanent, though this be fled …

The world no longer let me love,

My hope and treasure lies above” (pgs. 106-07)

To compare, Governor John Winthrop writes rather grim tales, and though meant to persuade and embolden, actually gives way to overwhelming despair.  Instead of trusting on God for his eternal home like Bradstreet, Winthrop emphasizes works, covenants and rules that must be done for prosperities and international renown.  An excerpt of his lay-sermon, “A Model of Christian Charity,” reads,

"Now if the Lord shall please to hear us, and bring us in peace to the place we desire, then hath he ratified this Covenant and sealed our Commission, [and] will expect a strict performance of the Articles contained in it; but if we shall neglect the observation of these Articles which are the ends we have propounded … [then] the Lord will surely break out in wrath against us; be revenged of such a perjured people ad make us know the price of the breach of such a covenant” (pgs. 79, 80).

Then, Anne Bradstreet was a humble writer.  Bradstreet declares her want of talent several times in her poetry, yet such a unique style and genius that one praises her all the more.  One great example of her humble spirit is the first few lines of her poem, titled “The Prologue.”  It orates,

“To sing of wars, of captains, and of kings,

Of cities founded, commonwealth begun,

For my mean pen are too superior things;

Or how they all, or each, their dates have run;

Let poets and historians set these forth;

My obscure lines shall not so dim their worth” (p. 91).

She greatly contrasts to John Smith, whose writings are underlined with ulterior motives and want of personal fame.  For instance, John Smith belittles other authorities while praising himself, demonstrates super human strength, and even goes as far as to suggest that an Indian princess would give up her life for him (pgs. 37-41).  For example, Smith writes,

“Smith little dreaming of that accident, being got to the marshes at the river's head, twenty miles in the desert, had his two men slain (as is supposed) sleeping by the canoe, while himself by fowling sought them victual: who finding he was beset with 200 savages, two of them he slew, still defending himself with the aid of a savage his guide, whom he bound to his arm with his garters, and used him as a buckler" (p. 38).

All in all, Anne Bradstreet’s hope and humble writing stand out among a time where such literature was scarce.  Relying on God and His good grace instead of works, she is able to smile and encourage even in the darkest of circumstances.  Bradstreet additionally balances her ingenious writing with humble strokes, humor and wit.  Anne Bradstreet is thus truly a breath of fresh air in early American literature, for her writing both feeds the soul and lightens the spirit.

Cite:

Perkins, George B., and Barbara Perkins. The American Tradition in Literature. 12th ed. Vol. 1. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2009. Print.