Essay Anne Bradstreets Contribution to American Literature

Up until the early 17th century, American literature was chiefly about politics, religion, and recorded events. These writings were very dry and lacked insight into the everyday lives of the authors. To put into writing any individual spiritual reflections that strayed away from the religion of the colony could be dangerous at that time; possibly resulting in banishment from the colony or worse. Likewise, any writing that did not serve at least one of the purposes listed above was considered to be a waste of time that would be better spent praising God. Anne Bradstreet defied the rules of her time by writing about whatever she wanted including personal thoughts, reflections, emotions, and events. Bradstreet was the first to write about†¦show more content†¦Bradstreet’s humble nature can be seen throughout her works: â€Å"If any worth or virtue were in me, / Let that live freshly in your memory† (â€Å"Before The Birth Of One Of Her Children† 166). Brads treet wrote extensively about her family. Her writings about her husband in particular were somewhat scandalous for that time. Bradstreet pours her heart into all of her works, but the poems about her husband really stand as a permanent testament to the depth of her love for him: â€Å"My love is such that rivers cannot quench, Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense† ( â€Å"To My Dear And Loving Husband† 166). Bradstreet even goes as far as comparing her husband to the sun: â€Å"My Sun . . . His warmth such frigid cold did cause to melt† ( â€Å"A Letter To Her Husband Absent Upon Public Employment† 167). Bradstreet’s deep love for her children is also evident in her writings. She writes about raising and caring for her children: â€Å"Great was my pain when I you bred, great was my care when you I fed† (â€Å"In Reference To Her Children† 169). She writes of her fears for her children: â€Å"Let others know what are my fea rs / Lest this my brood some harm should catch† (168). She also uses her writing as means to admonish her children: â€Å"Sore accidents on you may light. / O to your safety have an eye, / So happy may you live and die† (169). Bradstreet wrote about personal tragedies. She wrote about the horror of waking to find her house in flames: â€Å"I wakened wasShow MoreRelatedJournal : The Iroquois Creation Story1184 Words   |  5 Pageshusband, and he shall rule over thee.† Journal: Anne Bradstreet Selected Poems Women’s contributions to the Colonial Period of the American Literary canon are adequately portrayed by the poetry of Anne Bradstreet and the narrative of Mary Rowlandson. The woman’s experience offer contrasting and concurring information to the Colonial Period that is found in the works of their male counterparts. In her poetry, particularly â€Å"The Prologue,† Anne Bradstreet channels the impressions of Greco-RomanRead MoreReview Of Upon The Burning Of Our House By Anne Bradstreet2061 Words   |  9 Pagesdevelop into a relatable struggle and this attributes to many poets’ fame. Anne Bradstreet is an example of one of these types of writers. Her poem, Upon the Burning of Our House, July 10th, 1666, describes one of the most devastating life events that one can go through and was her claim to fame. Anne Bradstreet’s tragic life led her to a very successful career that would change the literary world for years to come. Anne Bradstreet was born on March 20, 1612 in the town of Northampton, England (â€Å"BradstreetRead MorePuritanism in American Literature Essay1149 Words   |  5 PagesPuritanism in American Literature The Puritans had a large influence in American literature and still influence moral judgment and religious beliefs in the United States to this day. 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