The Examined Life Theme—How shall we live? Introspection, or self-evaluation, marks the writing of this era.

Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) Born while SHAKESPEARE was still alive One of America’s first poets Inspired by Shakespeare and other English Poets Real inspiration was her faith in God Born to Puritan parents; married to SIMON BRADSTREET, a young, well-educated and zealous Puritan, at the age of 16.

Bradstreet continued Anne, her father and her husband traveled to America in 1630. They settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Both her father and husband went onto become GOVENOR. Anne had 4 sons and 4 girls and made time in private to write poems. John Woodbridge, her brother-in-law, published her poems in England, 1648, without her knowledge.

Bradstreet continued Anne was praised for her poetry; she went from being an unknown wife and mother in New England to a celebrity. Her poetry was considered to be on the same level as male poets of the time. Due to the popularity of her POETRY, including approval from Puritan minister Cotton Mather, Anne felt encouraged to write FULL TIME. Anne wrote about everything from public events to the birth of her children, death in the family, illness and so on.

Bradstreet Poem Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Do you think that good can come from difficulties in life? What are some of the specific losses that Bradstreet dwells on in the first half of the poem? Bradstreet speaks of another “house” in an extended metaphor at the end of the poem. What is this house, who is the architect, and how is it better than the house she has lost?

Bradstreet Poem 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 word in line 52 to describe her own cherished possessions? As a group, you must paraphrase the entire poem and write down your summary of the poem on a sheet of paper with ALL group members’ names on it.