Previously, I talked about the American poet Edward Taylor. Today, I’d like to introduce you to another Puritan writer, Anne Bradstreet. According to Adrienne Rich, Bradstreet was “the first American woman who wrote good poems”[1]. Mother of eight children, managing a home in the middle of nowhere in British
WNorth America, and her husband always away as secretary of the Bay Colony, she endeavored to write poetry that would resonate with writers even to this day. In addition to Rich, John Berryman and Susan Howe were inspired by her work;[2] I’d add myself to the list. We studied her poetry, as we did Taylor’s, in our American Literature course in the Humanities program at Tiffin.
Bradstreet’s poetry also resonates with wives and mothers like me – unless you’re a Rockefeller maybe. But who knows? Even the rich might find something worth thinking about in her poems. For example, in “Contemplations,” she echoes the words of Psalm 8:
How excellent is He that dwells on high,
Whose power and beauty by His works we know?
Sure he is goodness, wisdom, glory, light,
That has this underworld so richly dight.[3]
I don’t know about you but every time I see a beautiful scenery, my mind goes back to the scriptures – “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork” (Ps. 19:1).[4] It always inspires me to see the wonders of God’s marvelous creation (my apologies to proponents of the Big Bang Theory[5]).
Never complaining of life’s hardships – and there were plenty during the Puritan times in America as there are today – Bradstreet always glorified God for providing – “dight” – with his goodness. At dark times, God is her strength and source of light. And this is why her work is so relevant because many times, I for one, when going through the dark tunnels of life, that light in the distance is always there – no matter how dim – and it always sees me through to the other end.
Bradstreet’s verses also allude to the Biblical account of Adam’s punishment for his disobedience – the need to work to eat (Gen. 3:19[6]): “To get his bread with pain and sweat of face / A penalty imposed on his backsliding race”[7]. Furthermore, they talk of “bloody Cain” and his brother Abel, how Adam looked at his sons with sadness at the consequence of sin – “How Adam sighed to see his progeny / Clothed all in his black sinful livery”[8] (pp. 118-9). In today’s context, we see conflicts among family members – bitter divorces, fights over inheritance, jealousy – among nations – Ukraine versus Russia, Israel against the Arab world,[9] and in our communities. According to Ernesto Lopez, et al., compared to pre-pandemic year 2019, violent crimes rose to 24% more homicides during the first half of 2023 while motor vehicle thefts were at an all-time high, 104%! Imagine that! Adam must still look down with sadness on earth!
This Christmas season, we celebrated the birth of Jesus, our Savior. He came 2,000 years ago to redeem the fallen world that started in the garden of Eden.[10] But because man has free will, negative things still happen in our midst. These are depressing times; however, like Anne Bradstreet, I would rather look at the bright side of it all, keep myself busy with beneficial things to keep my sanity. By that I mean meaningful, productive activities, not busyness, which is today’s other malady.
[1] Robert Levine, et al., editors. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 10h ed. New York: W. W. Norton & Co. 2022, pp. 112-3
[2] Ibid., p. 112
[3] Ibid., pp. 115-6
[4]Psalm 19:1. Amplified Bible. Michigan: The Lockman Foundation. 1987. p. 484
[5] Elizabeth Howell and Andrew May. “What is the Big Bang Theory?” Space.Com. July 26, 2023. https://.www.space.com
[6] Gen. 3:19. Amplified Bible. Michigan: The Zondervan Corp. 1987, p. 3.
[7] Bradstreet, Anne. “Contemplations.” Robert Levine, et al. editors. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 10th ed., New York: W. W. Norton & Co. 2022, p. 117.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Jonathan Bernis. “Identifying Israel’s Enemies.” Jewish Voice. December 01, 2015. https://www.jewishvoice.org.
[10] “The Fall.” Gen. 3: 1-24. Amplified Bible. Michigan: The Zondervan Corp. 1987. pp. 3-4.
The Journey Through Literature 
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