Beatrice Rosen
English 350
31 October 2014
Anne Bradstreet and Maternal Aspirations in the 21 st
Century
The great Irish poet Seamus Heaney once said, “I can’t think of a case where poems changed the world, but what they do is they change people’s understanding of what’s going on in the world.” Looking at current events through the lens of a poet or author’s work can give us a more comprehensive grasp of an issue or a new perspective. Anne Bradstreet, an English-born
American Puritan poet, and arguably one of the most important figures in the history of
American literature, is an example of a case like this where we can use the poignant words of another to shed new light. She provides a perfect contrast to modern feminist sensibilities that have distilled into “liberal feminism.” Since the beginnings of feminist movements in late 19 th century America, the push for gender equality in the public sphere has gotten stronger by the year. Now, liberal feminism, a dominant and individualistic form of feminist theory, relies on the state and legal reform to gain gender equality in the workplace, education, and politics.
Liberal feminists believe past and current discrimination overlooks many qualified female applicants, so they support affirmative action legislation that requires employers and educational institutions to make special attempts to include women in the pool of applicants. In their promotion of the moral worth of women, liberal feminists argue that women generally want what men want: to get an education, make a decent living, and provide for one’s family. Anne
Bradstreet is a historical testament against liberal feminism. While she craved knowledge at an early age and spent a majority of her days in England hibernating within the walls of her father’s

2 estate library, Bradstreet utilized her education to express, and deepen, the love she had for her husband, children, and community.
As passionately articulated in To My Dear and Loving Husband and To My Dear
Children, Bradstreet embraces her role as a wife, mother, and societal member wholeheartedly.
This is evident in one of her opening lines — “If ever wife was happy in a man” — that signifies that she may serve a subordinate role, but not a less meaningful or satisfying one (line 3). She does not desire to work and provide for the family as her husband does, but instead is content and garners respect in her maternal role. In the present era of liberal feminism, women who share similar maternal desires must look to Bradstreet as a role model. She was a highly intelligent and well-regarded member of Puritan society who took great pride in the relationships she had with her husband and children and how she ran the household. Women currently feel pressure to defy traditional stereotypes and independently challenge men in the public sphere with their intellectual capacities. It seems almost taboo if a smart, undergraduate female student says she wants a future with a devoted husband and joyous family. Bradstreet is historical proof that these ambitions are perfectly acceptable and should not be looked down upon. Many women may share the same amount of passion as feminists, just not the same aims or goals to channel that passion towards.
Bradstreet raised her children in the Massachusetts Bay Colony when she, her husband
(Simon Bradstreet), and father immigrated in 1633. The two men became governors of the
Puritan society, in which male supremacy reigned. The Puritans believed that Eve’s original sin illustrated the inherent moral weakness of women, so the only way to fulfill their God-given duty was to love, obey, and further the interests of their husband. On the other hand, Puritans also thought of wives as spiritual equals to their husbands. Bradstreet eloquently and sensually

3 describes such a spiritual connection in To My Dear and Loving Husband. She wants that while
Simon and her “live in love [they] so persevere,” so that when they die their exemplary love will live on (line 11). The poem embodies the Biblical definition of marriage that emphasizes mutual love and respect, while glorifying God through the holy union. Bradstreet further writes how, since there is no way she can repay her husband for his love, she hopes Heaven will “reward thee manifold, I pray” (line 10). While the couple is on Earth, they should love each other as passionately and fully as possible so their love will forever persist in Heaven.
Bradstreet utilizes a particular literary technique in To My Dear and Loving Husband to convey the intense unity, love, and devotion within her marriage. Using a type of apostrophe, she addresses her husband who is not present in the poem: Simon. Readers are exposed to the passionate thoughts and feelings Bradstreet has for Simon, as told directly to him. Some may even feel intruded upon when reading the poem as Bradstreet subtly alludes to sexual desire and sensually describes, “My love is such that rivers cannot quench, / Nor aught but love from thee give recompense” (lines 7-8). The two are not just husband and wife — they are eternal partners and lovers. Anne’s existence revolves around this man and his offspring; this is precisely how marriage should be in Puritan society. His reciprocated love is prized more than “all the riches that the East doth hold” (line 6). Everything about To My Dear and Loving Husband represents equality and complete balance between Anne and Simon. This type of equality is a private one, however, and does not extend to gender equality within the public sphere as liberal feminists strive to obtain. Yet Anne is not only okay and satisfied with the private, spiritual equality marriage represents in the Puritan community — she embraces it wholeheartedly. Simon’s love inspires her on a daily basis, and he gives her something to live for and “please.” Anne and

4
Simon are happy with the roles they have been assigned, and do not seek something above and beyond. This is perfectly acceptable, and they are a couple to be admired.
While marriage represented one of the most fundamental human relationships in procreation, love, and salvation, motherhood was also one of the most significant aspects of
Puritan society. The female identity encompassed religious piety and submissive obedience under male authority, but when it came to matters of the home and childrearing, women often obtained informal authority with their husband’s permission. They typically made decisions regarding the children’s labor, property, and managed their husband’s real estate. An intelligent and proactive Bradstreet therefore took advantage of motherly power in the Puritan household to educate her children, just as her own father taught her.
As evident in To My Dear Children, Bradstreet employs her knowledge and literary skill to educate her children. In this case, she is giving her eight children advice for the future based on her own past life experiences. The letter reflects the religious and emotional conflicts she experienced as both a woman writer and Puritan wife amidst the hardships of New England colonial life. She continually battled with illness and struggled to adapt to the new world.
Bradstreet recalls a bout of smallpox at 16 years old when she came to America. She concludes that this was because she started to stray from God a bit as an adolescent, explaining that “the
Lord sent to humble and try me and do me good, and it was not altogether ineffectual…When I was in my affliction, I besought the Lord and confessed my pride and vanity, and He was entreated of me and again restored me” (189). Bradstreet is essentially telling her children that faith in God will serve and help them throughout their lives, apt advice in Puritan society. She continues, “If at any time you are chastened of God, take it as thankfully and joyfully as in greatest mercies, for ye be His, ye shall reap the greatest benefit by it” (190). Difficult situations

and struggles throughout life are God’s backhanded way of showing the most love and keeping
5 an individual on the right path, because “by one affliction of other hath made me look home, and search what was amiss” (190).
Bradstreet embraces any poor situation as a time to learn and become a stronger person; an outlook particularly important for someone living in the cold and harsh Puritan society. She embodies strength and intelligence in To My Dear Children by confessing to her struggles with atheism: “Many times hath Satan troubled me concerning the verity of the scriptures,” and by acknowledging that doubt does not have to be something negative, but an important part of the faith process. It is encouragement like this that children need to get through the strict and regimented Puritan life in the New World. Bradstreet’s wise and articulate advice further reflects her image as a positive, inspirational role model because she makes use of her education without neglecting domestic responsibilities. Motherhood serves as the means through which
Bradstreet can impart her knowledge and exercise power, while still abiding by the strict moral code of Puritan society. Is this influence on future generations any less impactful than what liberal feminists strive for?
Bradstreet is historical proof that women can receive an education and apply it to the duties that come with marriage and motherhood. Bradstreet even goes above and beyond raising a family and caring for her husband; she loves and nurtures passionately, meanwhile building off her experiences to serve as literary inspiration. The fact that her husband published her writings indicates the co-operation in the relationship and the strength of the bond. As a well-spoken and educated woman, Anne Bradstreet found fulfillment in life through literature and the stereotypical female gender role. She did not make a living for herself or provide for the family
— this was Simon’s role. Nor did she express the desire to assume the stereotypical male gender

6 role of providing for the family. Liberal feminists and Americans today must understand that it is okay for educated young women to still desire a life similar to Bradstreet’s. Such aspirations should not be associated with negative connotations. As Bradstreet demonstrates through her writing, demeanor, and actions, one does not have to be a dominant force in the workplace to be successful or have a lasting impact on society. Success can be defined as forever loving one man and raising capable, smart children. Women throughout the world must always remember this.
The world is becoming an increasingly more global society, and the ability to understand different modes of being is an important tool, especially when it comes to the complexity of gender relations.