Puritan Plain Style, Poet Bio & “To My Dear and Loving Husband” Anne Bradstreet Puritan Plain Style, Poet Bio & “To My Dear and Loving Husband”

Puritan Plain Style Characterized by Short words Direct statements References to everyday objects & experiences Uses inversion Sentence elements out of their normal position EX: “let’s so persevere in love”  “in love let’s so persevere”

Anne Bradstreet: Bio 1630 she came from England to Boston Grew up in a Puritan household Married Simon Bradstreet @ 16 – He is the focus of most of her writing Father (Thomas Dudley) and husband both became governor of MA 1st published book in America One of the 1st volumes of poetry by a woman 1st volume of poetry =long poems on subjects such as medicine, history, and the qualities of fire 2nd volume showcases Puritan Plain Style 2nd volume of poetry contains shorter poems in a simpler style about children, family, & home Later poems are more intimate and express her deep attachment to family and a sense of loss Poems express the Puritan belief that one must not get too attached to the things of the world Typical Puritan wife, quick to acknowledge the superiority of men

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me ye women if you can. 5 I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold, Or all the riches that the East doth hold. My love is such that rivers cannot quench, Nor ought but love from thee give recompense. Thy love is such I can no way repay; 10 The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love let's so persever, That when we live no more we may live ever.

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” Most likely from her 2nd volume of poetry because it is shorter, written more simply, and addresses family (specifically her husband) Lines 5-6 create an image of wealth (mines of gold & riches of the East) Bradstreet contrasts this material wealth with spiritual wealth (the love of her husband and God) Last 2 lines = Puritan belief that successful marriages (faithfulness) are rewarded in the afterlife