what did anne bradstreet accomplish

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What impact did Anne Bradstreet have?

With time, however, Bradstreet warmed to her new life in the colony and became a significant voice for the Puritan outlook, both in the colonies and back in Britain. Anne Bradstreet was the first female poet of note in the New World and the first woman to be published in both the colonies and Britain.

What was Anne Bradstreet greatest influences?

Bradstreet's poetics belong to the Elizabethan literary tradition that includes Edmund Spenser and Sir Philip Sidney; she was also strongly influenced by the sixteenth century French poet Guillaume du Bartas.

How was Anne Bradstreet a feminist?

Though outwardly conventional, Anne was certainly a feminist. In a poem about Queen Elizabeth the First, who Anne regarded as a hero and role model, she wrote “Let such as say our sex is void of reason / Know 'tis a slander now, but once was treason.”

What did Simon Bradstreet do?

Arriving in Massachusetts on the Winthrop Fleet in 1630, Bradstreet was almost constantly involved in the politics of the colony but became its governor only in 1679. He served on diplomatic missions and as agent to the crown in London, and also served as a commissioner to the New England Confederation.

Why was Anne Bradstreet important?

Anne Bradstreet was the first woman to be recognized as an accomplished New World Poet. Her volume of poetry The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America ... received considerable favorable attention when it was first published in London in 1650.

Why is Anne Bradstreet remembered?

Anne Bradstreet is remembered as the first published writer in England's North American Colonies. She is also the first Puritan figure in American Literature. Her body of poetic work is quite large. Many pieces were published posthumously.

How was Anne Bradstreet radical?

Anne Bradstreet was a revolutionary for her time in several ways, a few of those being first poet of the New World and feminist. The gender roles of her time did not allow room for women to oppose the roles that were set for them. However, Bradstreet did just that, and with great success.

What types of poems did Anne Bradstreet write?

Long considered primarily of historical interest, she won critical acceptance in the 20th century as a writer of enduring verse, particularly for her sequence of religious poems, “Contemplations,” written for her family and not published until the mid-19th century.

What kind of woman was Anne Bradstreet?

As a settler in seventeenth-century New England and as a female poet, Anne Bradstreet was a trailblazer. A progressive female poet, she also took delight in her role as wife and mother, while remaining committed to her conservative Puritan theology and beliefs.

Who was a descendant of Anne Bradstreet?

He is buried at the Charter Street Burying Ground in Salem. Notable descendants of Simon and Anne Bradstreet include Herbert Hoover, Sarah Orne Jewett, David Souter, and John Kerry.

Where is Simon Bradstreet buried?

The tomb in Salem, Massachusetts which contains the plaque memorializing Simon Bradstreet is a cenotaph. In the 1790s the Bradstreet family sold the tomb to the Hathorne-Ingersoll family, who removed and disposed of the remains inside to make room for new burials.

What were Anne Bradstreet's poems influenced by?

Anne Bradstreet was raised in a strict Puritan home, and the contexts of many of her poems are clearly influenced by her Puritanism. Many scholars, such as Ann Stanford and Elizabeth Wade White, have noted the strong impact that Puritanism had on Bradstreet's writing.

What was Anne Bradstreet's purpose for writing this poem?

She wrote to educate her children, share the hardships she faced with them and how she coped with her struggles. Her work circulated throughout her family and eventually her poems were published allowing anyone and everyone to become her audience.

What did Anne Bradstreet believe in?

Evidence throughout many of her works indicate that her role as a wife and mother were incredibly important to Bradstreet, and her Puritan values, as well as her faith in God, contributed greatly to those aspects of her life.

What was Anne Bradstreet's writing style?

Anne Bradstreet was in most ways quite typically Puritan. Many poems reflect her struggle to accept the adversity of the Puritan colony, contrasting earthly losses with the eternal rewards of the good. In one poem, for instance, she writes of an actual event: when the family's house burned down.

Why did Anne Bradstreet and her family move?

The situation was tense as well as uncomfortable, and Anne Bradstreet and her family moved several times in an effort to improve their worldly estates.

Who compared Anne Bradstreet to?

In a statement of extravagant praise Cotton Mather compared Anne Bradstreet to such famous women as Hippatia, Sarocchia, the three Corinnes, and Empress Eudocia and concluded that her poems have "afforded a grateful Entertainment unto the Ingenious, and a Monument for her Memory beyond the stateliest Marbles.".

What were the conditions of the Arbella colony?

Thomas Dudley observed in a letter to the Countess of Lincoln, who had remained in England: "We found the Colony in a sad and unexpected condition, above eighty of them being dead the winter before; and many of those alive weak and sick; all the corn and bread amongst them all hardly sufficient to feed them a fortnight." In addition to fevers, malnutrition, and inadequate food supplies, the colonists also had to contend with attacks by Native Americans who originally occupied the colonized land. The Bradstreets and Dudleys shared a house in Salem for many months and lived in spartan style; Thomas Dudley complained that there was not even a table on which to eat or work. In the winter the two families were confined to the one room in which there was a fireplace. The situation was tense as well as uncomfortable, and Anne Bradstreet and her family moved several times in an effort to improve their worldly estates. From Salem they moved to Charlestown, then to Newtown (later called Cambridge), then to Ipswich, and finally to Andover in 1645.

What does Bradstreet ask for in the Prologue?

In an ironic and often-quoted passage of "The Prologue," she asks for the domestic herbs "Thyme or Parsley wreath," instead of the traditional laurel, thereby appearing to subordinate herself to male writers and critics:

What is Bradstreet's personal feelings?

that reveals Bradstreet's personal feelings is " In Honor of that High and Mighty Princess Queen Elizabeth of Happy Memory ," written in 1643, in which she praises the Queen as a paragon of female prowess.

Who was the first woman to be recognized as an accomplished New World Poet?

Anne Bradstreet was the first woman to be recognized as an accomplished New World Poet. Her volume of poetry The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America ... received considerable favorable attention when it was first published in London in 1650. Eight years after it appeared it was listed by William London in his Catalogue ...

Who is considered to be the most important early American poet?

Eight years after it appeared it was listed by William London in his Catalogue of the Most Vendible Books in England, and George III is reported to have had the volume in his library. Bradstreet 's work has endured, and she is still considered to be one of the most important early American poets.

What does Bradstreet say about marriage?

In the lines, "And if I see not half my days that's due, what nature would, God grant to yours, and you;" Bradstreet is saying that if she was to die soon, what would God give her husband.

Why did Anne Bradstreet write a letter to my husband?

In her poem "A letter to my Husband" she speaks about the loss of her husband when he is gone.

What was the role of women in the 1600s?

Women were expected to spend all their time cooking, cleaning, taking care of their children, and attending to their husband's every need. In her poem "In Honour of that High and Mighty Princess Queen Elizabeth of Happy Memory," Bradstreet questions this belief.

What did the Puritans believe about marriage?

"If ever two were one, then surely we." The Puritans believed marriage to be a gift from God. In another of Bradstreet's works, "Before the Birth of One of Her Children", Bradstreet acknowledges God's gift of marriage. In the lines, "And if I see not half my days that's due, what nature would, God grant to yours, and you;" Bradstreet is saying that if she was to die soon, what would God give her husband. She could be referring to him possibly remarrying after she dies. Another line shows that she believes that it is possible for her husband to remarry. By using the lines, "These O protect from stepdame's injury", Bradstreet is calling for her children to be protected from the abuse of a future stepmother. The fact that Bradstreet believes that God will grant her husband a new wife if she dies shows how much Puritan women believed in marriage.

Why was Ann Hopkins criticised?

Because writing was not considered to be an acceptable role for women at the time, Bradstreet was met with criticism. One of the most prominent figures of her time, John Winthrop, criticized Ann Hopkins, wife of prominent Connecticut colony governor Edward Hopkins. He mentioned in his journal that Hopkins should have kept to being a housewife and left writing and reading for men, "whose minds are stronger." Despite heavy criticism of women during her time, Bradstreet continued to write which led to the belief that she was interested in rebelling against societal norms of the time.

Where did Simon move to in 1640?

In the early 1640s, Simon once again pressed his wife, pregnant with her sixth child, to move for the sixth time, from Ipswich, Massachusetts, to Andover Parish. North Andover is that original town founded in 1646 by the Stevens, Osgood, Johnson, Farnum, Barker, and Bradstreet families, among others.

Where is Anne Bradstreet buried?

The precise location of her grave is uncertain but many historians believe her body is in the Old Burying Ground at Academy Road and Osgood Street in North Andover.

Where was Anne Bradstreet born?

Anne Bradstreet was born in the year 1612 in Northampton, England. She was the daughter of Thomas Dudley and Dorothy Yorke. His father was the steward of the Earl of Lincoln. Her family’s good status helped her in having a good raising and education. In her growing years, Anne was taught history, several languages and literature. She was married to Simon Bradstreet at the age of sixteen. In 1630, boarding the Arbella ship which was a part of the Winthrop Fleet of Puritan emigrants, Anne, Simon and her parents immigrated to America. They reached America on June 14, 1630 at what is now Pioneer Village (Salem, Massachusetts). After a brief stay at the village, they moved to south along the coast to Charlestown, Massachusetts. After a short stay, they moved again, along the Charles River to the newly-found City on the Hill, Boston, Massachusetts. The family continued on moving and reached to a place which is now Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was there that Anne gave birth to her first child, Samuel in 1632. In the foundation of Harvard University in 1636, her husband and father made significant contribution. In spite of her poor health, she gave birth to eight children and kept her comfortable social standing. Anne was already once suffered from smallpox and when the illness struck her again, she was paralyzed in her joints. In 1640s when Anne was pregnant with her sixth child, Simon forced her to move from Ipswich to Andover Parish. The Bradstreet family along with other families such as the Stevens, Osgood, Johnson, Farnum, and Barker founded the town of North Andover in 1646.

Who was Anne Bradstreet's brother in law?

In 1647, Bradstreet's brother-in-law Rev. John Woodbridge went to England carrying a manuscript of Anne’s poetry. In 1650, her poetry was published in London with the name "The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America, by a Gentlewoman from Those Parts”.

Where is the Bradstreet Gate?

This gate also known as the Bradstreet Gate is located next to Canaday Hall, the newest dormitory in Harvard Yard. In 2000, a marker in the North Andover cemetery commemorated the 350th anniversary of the publishing of her book "The Tenth Muse". These two sites are the only places in the America honoring her memory.

Why was Anne's condition worse?

It worsened her condition as she was already dealing with the grieving loss of a number of relatives. Anne being a religiously devoted woman remained strong over the losses. The knowledge of Biblical scriptures helped her to believe that her daughter-in-law Mercy and her grandchildren were in heaven.

Where did Anne and Samuel move to?

The family continued on moving and reached to a place which is now Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was there that Anne gave birth to her first child, Samuel in 1632.

Who wrote the poem "Homage to Mistress Bradstreet"?

In 1956, poet John Berryman paid tribute to her in his writing with his work, “Homage to Mistress Bradstreet” which included a long poem that incorporates many phrases from her writings. Her other most famous work was “Several Poems Compiled with Great Wit and Learning” that was published in 1678. Image Credit. ...

Who was the first woman poet to be published in England and America?

With the publication of her first work “The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America, by a Gentlewoman of those Parts” in London in 1650, Anne Bradstreet became the first woman poet to be published both in England and America. Her poetry had the elements of Elizabethan literary tradition and was deeply influenced by the sixteenth century French poet ...

What disease did Anne Dudley Bradstreet have?

Her health began to fail, and she became ill with tuberculosis. Shortly thereafter, she lost her daughter Dorothy to illness. Anne Dudley Bradstreet lost her long and difficult battle with illness, and she passed away on September 16, 1672, in Andover, Massachusetts, at the age 60.

What is Anne Bradstreet's stained glass window?

Her work serves as a testament to the struggles of a Puritan wife against the hardships of New England colonial life. Image: Anne Bradstreet Stained Glass Window. St. Botolph’s Church in Boston, England. Anne Dudley was born in Northampton, England, in the year 1612, daughter of Thomas Dudley, an earl’s estate manager.

Why did Anne and her family emigrate to America in 1630?

Anne and her family emigrated to America in 1630 on the Arbella, one of the first ships to bring Puritans to New England. The three-month journey was difficult, and many perished due to the poor living conditions and scurvy brought on by malnutrition.

Why was Anne's faith in God so difficult?

The climate, lack of food, and primitive living arrangements made it very difficult for Anne to adapt. Her belief that God had not abandoned them helped her survive the hardships. Anne fought an almost constant battle with illness, but her faith in God must have pulled her through again.

Where did the Bradstreets live?

The Bradstreets moved frequently in the Massachusetts colony, first to Cambridge, then to Ipswich, and then to Andover, which became their permanent home. Simon’s political duties involved traveling to other colonies – he eventually became governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Who was Anne Dudley?

Anne Dudley was born in Northampton, England, in the year 1612, daughter of Thomas Dudley, an earl’s estate manager. Anne was unusually well educated for her time – tutored in history, several languages, and literature. At the age of 16, she was married to Simon Bradstreet, a 25 year old assistant in the Massachusetts Bay Company.

When was the Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America by a Gentlewoman of Those Parts?

Woodbridge even admitted to it in the preface of her first collection, The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America, By a Gentlewoman of Those Parts, which was published in 1650 . The book did fairly well in England, and was the last of her poetry to be published during her lifetime.

What is the success of the Tenth Muse?

The publishing success of The Tenth Muse seems to have given Anne Bradstreet more confidence in her writing. (She refers to this publication, and to her displeasure with being unable to make corrections to the poems herself before publication, in a later poem, "The Author to Her Book.") Her style and form became less conventional, and instead, ...

What was Anne Bradstreet's first collection?

Jone Johnson Lewis. Updated August 31, 2018. Most of the poems included in Anne Bradstreet 's first collection, The Tenth Muse (1650), were quite conventional in style and form, and dealt with history and politics. In one poem, for instance, Anne Bradstreet wrote of the 1642 uprising of Puritans led by Cromwell.

What does Anne Bradstreet mean by women?

Anne Bradstreet also alludes to the role of women and to women's capabilities in many poems. She seems especially concerned to defend the presence of Reason in women. Among her earlier poems, the one extolling Queen Elizabeth includes these lines, revealing the sly wit that's in many of Anne Bradstreet's poems:

Was Anne Bradstreet a Puritan?

Anne Bradstreet was in most ways quite typically Puritan. Many poems reflect her struggle to accept the adversity of the Puritan colony, contrasting earthly losses with the eternal rewards of the good. In one poem, for instance, she writes of an actual event: when the family's house burned down.

Who said "They'll say it's stolen or else it was by chance"?

They'll say it's stolen, or else it was by chance.". Anne Bradstreet largely accepts, however, the Puritan definition of proper roles of men and women, though asking for more acceptance of women's accomplishments. This, from the same poem as the previous quote: "Let Greeks be Greeks, and Women what they are.

When was the burning of our house?

And from "Here Follows Some Verses upon the Burning of Our House July 10th, 1666":

Overview

Background

Writing

Literary style and themes

Selected works

Further reading

External links