Anne Bradstreet
(1612-1672)
Anne Bradstreet was born in Northampton, England, in the year 1612, daughter of Thomas
Dudley and Dorothy Yorke; Dudley, who had been a leader of volunteer soldiers in the English
Reformation and Elizabethan Settlement, was then a steward to the Earl of Lincoln; Dorothy
was a gentlewoman of noble heritage and she was also well educated.
At the age of 16, Anne was married to Simon Bradstreet, a 25 year old assistant in the
Massachusetts Bay Company and the son of a Puritan minister, who had been in the care of the
Dudleys since the death of his father.
Anne and her family emigrated to America in 1630 on the Arabella, one of the first ships
to bring Puritans to New England in hopes of setting up plantation colonies. The journey was
difficult; many perished during the three month journey, unable to cope with the harsh climate
and poor living conditions, as sea squalls rocked the vessel, and scurvy brought on by
malnutrition claimed their lives. Anne, who was a well educated girl, tutored in history,
several languages and literature, was ill prepared for such rigorous travel, and would find the
journey very difficult.
Their trials and tribulations did not end upon their arrival, though, and many of those who
had survived the journey, either died shortly thereafter, or elected to return to England, deciding
they had suffered through enough. Thomas Dudley and his friend Jonathan Winthrop made up
the Boston settlement's government; Winthrop was Governor, Dudley Deputy-Governor and
Bradstreet Chief-Administrator.
The colonists' fight for survival had become daily routine, and the climate, lack of food, and
primitive living arrangements made it very difficult for Anne to adapt. She turned inwards and
let her faith and imagination guide her through the most difficult moments; images of better days
back in England, and the belief that God had not abandoned them, helped her survive the
hardships of the colony.
Having previously been afflicted with smallpox, Anne would once again fall prey to illness
as paralysis took over her joints; surprisingly, she did not let her predicament dim her passion for
living, and she and her husband managed to make a home for themselves and raise a family.
Despite her poor health, she had eight children, and loved them dearly. Simon eventually came
to prosper in the new land, and for a while it seemed things would not be so bad.
Tragedy struck once more, when one night the Bradstreet home was engulfed in flames; a
devastating fire which left the family homeless and devoid of personal belongings. It did not
take too long for them to get back on their feet, thanks to their hard work, and to Simon's social
standing in the community.
While Anne and her husband were very much in love, Simon's political duties kept him
traveling to various colonies on diplomatic errands, so Anne would spend her lonely days and
nights reading from her father's vast collection of books, and educating her children. The
reading would not only keep her from being lonely, but she also learned a great deal about
religion, science, history, the arts, and medicine; most of all, reading helped her cope with life in
New England.
Works Cited
“Anne Bradstreet Biography.” Anne Bradstreet. 16 January 2003. Retrieved 16 October 2009
< http://www.annebradstreet.com/anne_bradstreet_bio_002.htm>.
“Anne Bradstreet.” Elements of Literature, Fifth Course. Thomas F. Hirsch and Patricia McCambridge Eds. Austin: Holt,
Rinehart, and Winston, 2000.68.
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Anne Bradstreet was especially fond of poetry, which she had begun to write herself; her
works were kept private though, as it was frowned upon for women to pursue intellectual
enlightenment, let alone create and air their views and opinions. She wrote for herself, her
family, and close circle of educated friends, and did not intend on publication. One of her closest
friends, Anne Hutchinson, who was also a religious and educated woman had made the mistake
of airing her views publicly, and was banished from her community.
However, Anne's work would not remained unnoticed... Her brother-in-law, John
Woodbridge, had secretly copied Anne's work, and would later bring it to England to have it
published, albeit without her permission. 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 to be the last
of her poetry to be published during her lifetime. All her other poems were published
posthumously.
Anne Bradstreet's poetry was mostly based on her life experience, and her love for her
husband and family. One of the most interesting aspects of her work is the context in which she
wrote; an atmosphere where the search for knowledge was frowned upon as being against God's
will, and where women were relegated to traditional roles. Yet, we cannot help but feel the love
she had for both God, her husband, and to her family, despite the fact that she clearly valued
knowledge and intellect. It is evident that she was a free thinker, and some scholars argue
Bradstreet could even be considered an early feminist.
Consequently, Anne Bradstreet's
health was slowly failing; she had been through many ailments, and was now afflicted with
tuberculosis. Shortly after contracting the disease, she lost her daughter Dorothy to illness as
well, but her will was strong, and perhaps, as a reflection of her own acceptance of death, she
found solace in thinking of her daughter in a better place.
Soon thereafter, Anne Bradstreet's long and difficult battle with illness would be at an end,
and she passed away on September 16, 1672, in Andover, Massachusetts, at the age 60.
Works Cited
“Anne Bradstreet Biography.” Anne Bradstreet. 16 January 2003. Retrieved 16 October 2009
< http://www.annebradstreet.com/anne_bradstreet_bio_002.htm>.
“Anne Bradstreet.” Elements of Literature, Fifth Course. Thomas F. Hirsch and Patricia McCambridge Eds. Austin: Holt,
Rinehart, and Winston, 2000.68.
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Verses upon the Burning of our House
In silent night when rest I took,
For sorrow near I did not look,
I waken'd was with thund'ring noise
And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.
That fearful sound of "fire" and "fire,"
Let no man know is my Desire.
I starting up, the light did spy,
And to my God my heart did cry
To straighten me in my Distress
And not to leave me succourless.1
Then coming out, behold a space
The flame consume my dwelling place.
And when I could no longer look,
I blest his grace that gave and took,2
That laid my goods now in the dust.
Yea, so it was, and so 'twas just.
It was his own; it was not mine.
Far be it that I should repine,
He might of all justly bereft
But yet sufficient for us left.
When by the Ruins oft I past
My sorrowing eyes aside did cast
And here and there the places spy
Where oft I sate and long did lie.
Here stood that Trunk, and there that chest,
There lay that store I counted best,
My pleasant things in ashes lie
And them behold no more shall I.
Under the roof no guest shall sit,
Nor at thy Table eat a bit.
No pleasant talk shall 'ere be told
Nor things recounted done of old.
No Candle 'ere shall shine in Thee,
Nor bridegroom's voice ere heard shall bee.
In silence ever shalt thou lie.
Adieu, Adieu3, All's Vanity.
Then straight I 'gin my heart to chide:
And did thy wealth on earth abide,
Didst fix thy hope on mouldring dust,
The arm of flesh didst make thy trust?
Raise up thy thoughts above the sky
That dunghill mists away may fly.
Thou hast a house on high erect
Fram'd by that mighty Architect,
5
10
With glory richly furnished
Stands permanent, though this be fled.
It's purchased and paid for too
By him who hath enough to do.
A price so vast as is unknown,
Yet by his gift is made thine own.
There's wealth enough; I need no more.
Farewell, my pelf4; farewell, my store.
The world no longer let me love;
My hope and Treasure lies above.
45
50
15
20
25
30
35
40
1
succorless: without aid or assistance; helpless.
…that gave and took: allusion to Job 1:21, “The
Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be
the name of the Lord.
3
Adieu: French for “goodbye”
2
4
pelf: wealth or worldly goods. Sometimes used as a
term of contempt.
Works Cited
“Anne Bradstreet Biography.” Anne Bradstreet. 16 January 2003. Retrieved 16 October 2009
< http://www.annebradstreet.com/anne_bradstreet_bio_002.htm>.
“Anne Bradstreet.” Elements of Literature, Fifth Course. Thomas F. Hirsch and Patricia McCambridge Eds. Austin: Holt,
Rinehart, and Winston, 2000.68.
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Comprehension Questions
1. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Do you think any good can come from
difficulties in life? Explain.
2. What are some of the specific losses that Bradstreet dwells on in the first half of the
poem? Use evidence from throughout the text to support your response.
3. Bradstreet speaks of another “house” in an extended metaphor5 at the end of the poem.
What is this house, who is its architect, and how is it more perfect than the house she has
lost? Use evidence from throughout the text to support your response.
4. Pelf—a word designating riches or worldly goods—is usually used only when the riches
or goods are considered to be slightly tainted, ill-gotten, or stolen. Why do you suppose
Bradstreet uses such a bitter work in line 51 to describe her own cherished treasures?
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5
extended metaphor: an extended metaphor is a figure of speech that make a comparison between two unlike
things. An extended metaphor may continue for several lines, or it can be developed throughout an entire work.
Works Cited
“Anne Bradstreet Biography.” Anne Bradstreet. 16 January 2003. Retrieved 16 October 2009
< http://www.annebradstreet.com/anne_bradstreet_bio_002.htm>.
“Anne Bradstreet.” Elements of Literature, Fifth Course. Thomas F. Hirsch and Patricia McCambridge Eds. Austin: Holt,
Rinehart, and Winston, 2000.68.
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Use the TP-CASTT graphic organizer to analyze the following poem. Then write a concise
theme statement which shows your understanding of the poem’s significance.
The Author To Her Book
By Anne Bradstreet
Thou ill-formed offspring of my feeble brain,
Who after birth did'st by my side remain,
Till snatcht from thence by friends, less wise than true,
Who thee abroad exposed to public view,
Made thee in rags, halting to th' press to trudge,
Where errors were not lessened (all may judge).
At thy return my blushing was not small,
My rambling brat (in print) should mother call.
I cast thee by as one unfit for light,
The visage was so irksome in my sight,
Yet being mine own, at length affection would
Thy blemishes amend, if so I could.
I washed thy face, but more defects I saw,
And rubbing off a spot, still made a flaw.
I stretcht thy joints to make thee even feet,
Yet still thou run'st more hobbling than is meet.
In better dress to trim thee was my mind,
But nought save home-spun cloth, i' th' house I find.
In this array, 'mongst vulgars may'st thou roam.
In critic's hands, beware thou dost not come,
And take thy way where yet thou art not known.
If for thy father askt, say, thou hadst none;
And for thy mother, she alas is poor,
Which caused her thus to send thee out of door.
5
10
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20
Works Cited
“Anne Bradstreet Biography.” Anne Bradstreet. 16 January 2003. Retrieved 16 October 2009
< http://www.annebradstreet.com/anne_bradstreet_bio_002.htm>.
“Anne Bradstreet.” Elements of Literature, Fifth Course. Thomas F. Hirsch and Patricia McCambridge Eds. Austin: Holt,
Rinehart, and Winston, 2000.68.
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