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William Collier
Professor Keeley
ENG 231- 4201
26 February 2018
Introduction
American poetry proved a useful means of expression in the late sixteenth century,
with a broad range of poets, such as Anne Bradstreet employing different styles to address
key themes of love, mortality, afterlife, and marriage. In to the poem “To My Dear and
Loving Husband,” for instance, Bradstreet’s main idea is not only centralized on the undying
love for her husband but also the controversy that surrounds her public expression of her
feelings, an act, which was both uncommon and unacceptable (perhaps not unacceptable but
a different word centered more on the fact that it was shocking, alarming or perturbing might
work, which would further cement the previous adjective uncommon while also maintaining
the same argument.) in the Puritan society. In “To My Loving Children,” she demonstrates
her motherlt concern for the very future of her small children. At the same time, the poet
utilizes figurative language through a variety of literary devices, including rhyme, repetition,
imagery, paradox, and unique tones to bring about different themes.
Themes
Bradstreet’s poems place great emphasis on three major themes: romanticism or love,
marriage and family, and mortality and afterlife. The above-mentioned substantive subject
matters conform perfectly well to the culture of the place and time in which she lived,
Puritanism which was heavily influenced, if not completely adherent, to Puritan values. In
this time in early America, typical societal expectations demanded that one submit
themselves entirely to, the society mandated self-subordination to the creator, God. Women
were required to remain not only subordinate to their husbands but were also almost entirely
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voiceless when it came comes to matters that would affect society on a larger scale (Anezka
278). Since she tries to write within the (austere) boundaries (bounds boundaries works too
though) laid down by Puritanism, Bradstreet intellectually uses her poems to show her
discomfort and dissatisfaction within society’s limiting expectations of women. Ultimately,
this is evident in the already identified themes.in
In both poems, she portrays deep and passionate love for her immediate family –
children and husband. She begins “To My Dear and Loving Husband” by affirming their
close ties. She proceeds to say that she values his love more than material wealth and gold of
the world. According to Bradstreet, their love is so deep that “Rivers cannot quench” (7). In
“To My Loving Children,” she explicitly demonstrates affection to her dear children. She
reveals that the book has not either been read nor seen by anyone, but is a special treasure for
