Anne Bradstreet was considered one of the most important figures in the history of American literature. She
is considered to be the first American poet.
She was born Anne Duddley in 1612. She was married at age sixteen and by age eighteen, was
on a ship to a new land. She was ill prepared for the struggles ahead. She was from a wealthy family in England, but
gave it all up for exploration of the Massachussetts Bay Colony with her husband and parents. Both her fater and husband were
very active in the government of the Massachussetts Bay Colony.
Anne managed to raise eight children, perform all necessary household chores, and write poetry. Her early
poetry was often long, formal and dull. Then, as time went on, Anne endured many lonely days while her husband was
away on political errands. Her faith grew stronger and her poetry began to turn more to her faith and family. She viewed
her hardships as a way to become closer to God.
"Shortly before her death, she concluded an account of her spiritual pilgrimage written
for her children:
"Upon this Rock Christ Jesus will I build by faith, and if I perish, I perish, But I
know all the powers of Hell shall never prevail against it, I know whom I have trusted, and whom I have believed and
that he is able to keep what I have committed to his charge." (Glimpses, 2005)
Anne faced much criticism for being a woman poet with one quote being:
"If what I do prove well, it won't advance. They'll say it's stolen, or else it was by
chance." (Anne Bradstreet.com)
Also, she stayed strong in her faith believing that Dod had not abandoned
her and she would only grow closer to God through her suffering. In the end, Anne's works served as a document of the struggles
of a Puritan woman's life in the colonies.
Works Cited
Clark Edward W. "Bradstreet, Anne." World Book Online Reference Center. 2005.
World book.http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wb/Article?id=ar073560
"Anne Bradstreet; A Puritan Wife and Mother." Glimpses Bulletin Issue 23.
Christian History Institute. 12 June 2005. <http://chi.gospel.net/GLIMPSEF/Glimpses/glmps023.shtml.
"Anne Bradstreet" 12 June 2005. <http://www.annebradstreet.com/anne_bradstreet_bio_001.html.
"Anne Bradstreet" 12 June 2005. <http://www.annebradstreet.com/anne_bradstreet_quotes.html
"Anne Bradstreet" American Literature on the Web. 12 June 2005 <http://www.nagaski-gaigo.ac.jp/ishikawa/amlit/b/bradstreet1718.html.
"Index to the Poetry of Anne Bradstreet." 12 June 2005. <http://www.puritansermons.com/poetry/anneindex.html.
