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3. ANNE BRADSTREET PART ONE EXCERPT 1 “The Author to Her Book” (1-14) 1. Identify metrical pattern and main rhetorical devices of the text. This stanza, which belongs to the poem “The author to her book” (1678) by Anne Bradstreet, presents a clear and known metrical pattern: Heroic couplets, also called rhyming couplets (AA, BB, CC…), with verses of ten syllables divided each one in ten feet (having each foot, two syllables). So the poem is written in iambic pentameter heroic couplet. The main rethorical devices that we can find in the given text, are a few: Her tone is ironic and sarcastic, aswell as dignified and moralizing. She uses 1st. Person singular. She deviated vaguely from the plain puritan style. Let´s find some of them: -Metaphor: In line 1, the author uses the expression “ill-formed offspring”, meaning that her book is like a child to her (offspring) because she created it (she wrote the book), and it is “illformed” because to her, the content of the book seems like a mutant child due to changes. -Metaphor: In line 2, the author continues with the metaphor, saying that “after birth didst by my side remain”, meaning she hid her book from the public. -Metaphor: In lines 3-4, the author uses “snatched from thence by friends”, as meaning that the book was stolen or kidnapped from her by a friend (her brother-in-law), “who thee abroad exposed to the public”, meaning that apart from being stolen from her, the book was published in Englad (abroad). -Metaphor: In line 8, the author says: “my rambling brat should mother call”, meaning by rambling brat (little child), that the book suffered a hard journey to England. And by “mother call”, it means that the book has her name on it. -Metaphor and Personification: In lines 13-14, the author says “I washed thy face”, meaning that she tried to correct the book from errors. She gives a human attribute to an inanimated object. And she says “rubbing off a spot” meaning trying to correct or change the book. “Still made a flaw”, meaning more errors she found. 2. Explain the author’s innovative use of a rather common metaphor in this text. Using the metaphor of motherhood, she describes the book as her child. Like a protective mother, she notes that the volume was “ill-formed” and snatched away from her before it was ready for independence. The “friends” who took it were “less wise than true,” meaning that while their actions were careless, these people certainly did not have malicious intentions. Now that the work has been published without giving the poet time to correct any errors, it is out in the world at the same time that it is back in her hands.

At first, she describes the newly bound volume as “irksome in my sight,” unable to ignore the flaws she wished she had the opportunity to address. She wishes she could present her work in its best form but that is now impossible - she describes washing its face but still seeing dirt and marks. However, the poet cannot help but feel affection for the book, because it is hers - even though it is incomplete. Critic Randall Huff points out that in this poem, Bradstreet uses contemporary terms culled from the book-publishing industry. For example, the “rags” in which the child was sent to the press may refer to the “high rag content of most paper at the time; it was the expensive product of a labor-intensive process and usually superior in many ways to most paper being produced today.” Basically, in this poem, she "deals with correcting the poems, not condemning their creator." 3. Explain the historical context in which this text was written. Anne Bradstreet wrote this poem as the new preface to the second edition. As stated before, her brother-in-law took the book of poems without her permission, and he asserted that she had not neglected her family duties in order to write poetry, as women at that time where pressured to stay out of the public eye, emphazasing that he was solely responsable for the publication of the volume. It is important to bear in mind that by that time, the puritan style of life of very predominant, and it was the religion of the first settlers, being Anne Bradstreet one of them. So, it was not easy for the poet in that time, because women barely had rights, and being the first persone to write a book of poems in America, the dispute among her fellow people was grated. So, she had to cope with that, and many times she had to write in a blemish way as to avoid critics due to being a woman, and she used to use “the double meaning” technique, to avoid fierce critics. 4. Comment on the imagery of this text Bradstreet uses diction, imagery, and tone to display her insecurities about, and dislike of, her own work, resulting from the human imperfections that have created an inadequate piece of literature. She uses a very metaphoric (and at the same time) descriptive language that adds depth to her work. Bradstreet aims to convey a message and by doing that, she uses a range of words that let the reader know what she really means, although several times she uses metaphores and other rhetoric devices. Her choice of words in this poem reveals that while admitting a close and intimate relationship with it, she is intensely dissatisfied with her book. The words "errors," "irksome," "blemishes," "defects," and "homespun" all emphasize the speaker's disgust. The author can't seem to find one redeeming feature in the book, although she does everything within her power to remedy the errors that, to her, are so blatant. She "washes," "rubs "stretches” and "dresses the book”, always trying to improve its quality by editing, revising, rethinking, and rewording it. EXCERPT 2 “The Author to Her Book” (15-24)

1. Identify the lines above (author and full title of the whole poem). Indicate the metrical pattern and rhyme scheme. 2. Explain the main rhetorical devices of this text, focusing on how they relate to the extended metaphor which pervades the whole poem. 3. Briefly comment on the social context in which this text was written. 4. Comment on the imagery of this text. EXCERPT 3 “Upon the Burning of Our House” (1-12) 1. Identify the metrical pattern and the main rhetorical devices of this text. This stanza, which belongs to the poem “Upon the burning of our house” (1666) by Anne Bradstreet, presents a clear and known metrical pattern: Heroic couplets, also called rhyming couplets (AA, BB, CC…), with verses of eight syllables divided each one in eight feet (having each foot, two syllables). So the poem is written in iambic tetrameter heroic couplet. The main rethorical devices that we can find in the given text, are a few: -Inversion: in lines 1-2, in order to make the verses rhyme, the author alters the orther of the verbs “took” and “look”, and places them at the end of the line. -Hyperbole and metaphor: in line 3, the author gives an extra and “comparative” feature to the word noise (thunder´d) as to make it more resounding and strong. -Metaphor: Same techique in line 4 as the previous point. Represents the calling voice as “dreadful” due to the agitation of the moment. -Personification: in line 8, the author gives a human feature to a thing in “my heart did cry”, and by doing so, it expresses the tension that the poet experienced. -Inversion: same technique in lines 7-8, altering the order of the verbs “spy” and “cry” achieving by this a perfect rhyme. 2. Indicate how the atmosphere of this text is evoked. What is the tone of this text? This poem provides a clear example of the tension the poet experienced between her domestic concerns and her spiritual aspirations. The speaker, who is once more the poet herself, sadly recalls in detail the prized material possessions she lost in the fire which destroyed her house. Bradstreet dwells on her misfortune for the first 35 lines of the poem, when suddenly, in line 36 there is an abrupt change of direction. She turns to the Bible and finds confort in the promise of a permanent house in heaven. But if we do concentrate on this stanza, we clearly see how she starts to recall the beginning of the tragedy and how she begs to God looking for strength from above, since she sees with her own eyes how all her possessions are getting destroyed, and nothing she can do about it. Her tone is moralizing and dignified. At the same time that she recalls what happened, she is trying to show how powerful the love and hope in God can ever be. So, we can see that her tone and expression is firm and resolute, accepting God´s will, as her religious beliefs taught her. 3. Explain the literary context in which this text was written. Anne Bradstreet is known as a prolific poet of 17th century whose work is largely based on Puritan theological concepts. Puritan society had its own unique set of Christian beliefs, which

were slightly harsh compared to modern Christian values. For this reason, English writings of this period reveal a sense of hopelessness and despondency as far as this worldly life is concerned. Material accomplishments were viewed as selfish desires, which had to be abandoned if a man sought to achieve happiness in the world thereafter. These were some of the common Puritan concepts, which must be kept in mind when reading and analyzing Bradstreet's poem, “Upon Burning of Our House”. This poem was written in 1666, a time when women were barred from entering the world of literature. Thus it was all the more important for female writers and poets to adhere to strict Christian beliefs and values in order not to infuriate the unyielding Puritan society. For this reason, we notice every line of Bradstreet's poem highlighting Puritan theological ideals. The poem begins with Bradstreet awakening to the sound of Fire. This fire symbolizes the Day of Judgment because like fire, that day would bring an end to everything man has. That would be the day when man's worldly possessions wouldn't matter, and he would only be worrying about whether or not he would be accepted in Heaven. Sound of Fire reminds the poet of her real and most important goal in this world as she says, "That fearful sound of "fire" and "fire,"/ Let no man know is my Desire." It is her desire to work hard not for material goods of this world but the actual ever-lasting rewards of the world thereafter. Bradstreet is exploring a very simple Christian concept in this poem. However if the poem is studied in historical context, we can unearth many significant messages, which speak volumes about the times of the poet. 4. Comment on the ideology of the author of this text. Anne Bradstreet was born and educated in England, but she emigrated to New York to escape religious persecution, since they were Non-Separatists Puritans who wanted to reform the Church of England. Thet settled in Massachussets Bay Colony. To understand the Puritan style of life we should bear in mind that they were very religious and wanted to go back to the ancient purity of Christianity, avoiding sin and living a life of righteousness and moral. In Puritan methodology, women did not have as many rights as men. Therefore, it was very hard for a woman to write poems (or books) and expose them to a world based on patriarchy, a social system in which males hold primary power, predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property; and, in the domain of the family, fathers or father-figures hold authority over women and children. Many patriarchal societies are also patrilineal, meaning that property and title are inherited by the male lineage. Adopting and adhering to this ideology, Bradstreet writes and expresses her inner feelings which sometimes are not in accordance with her religious values. Besides, several times in her poems, we can detect the internal discrepancy she feels about the Divine will, mostly when tragedies strike her life, for example, the burning of her house and the death of several of her grandchildren. In the end, she always turns to God, and acknowledges that her final reward is in the Hereafter. EXCERPT 4 “On My Dear Grandchild Simon Bradstreet”

1. Identify the metrical pattern and the main rhetorical devices of this poem. The metrical pattern of the elegy entitled “On My Dear Grandchild Simon Bradstreet” is heroic couplet (regular iambic pentameters rhyming in consecutive pairs). The main rhetorical device is a metaphor (lines 3-4). Anne Bradstreet compares babies with flowers; i.e. “DEAD BABIES ARE CROPPED FLOWERS”. We also find apostrophe (11), syncope (to meet the intended feet) in lines 3 and 4; other metaphors (line 1); ambiguity and ambivalence (read question 2), and a biblical allusion (line 7). 2. Can you find any evidence of ambiguity and ambivalence in the poem? We find ambivalence in lines 6 and 8 (because she seems to be doubtful when saying “but why, let’s not dispute” and “let’s say He’s merciful as well as just”, respectively), and ambiguity in lines 4 and 10 (because we can interpret “yet is He good” depending on the intonation, and “crosses” in its different meanings, respectively), all of them treating the same theme: her conflict between following Puritan orthodoxy (detachment from affections, accepting God’s will without complaining) and her own feelings. Bradstreet says “yet is He good” (line 4) in response to her grandchild’s death, but she seems to think the opposite. 3. Comment on the tone of this poem, comparing and contrasting it with the prevailing tone in other poems by the same author. The tone is sorrowful and desperate up to line 8, but then there is a change of tone: it becomes resigned and even hopeful at the idea of Simon’s eternal life in Heaven in the company of his also dead twin sisters. Bradstreet grieves her grandchild’s death at a very early age (Simon was aged one month). This is the same tone we can find in “Upon The Burning of Our House”, where we can find the same change of tone: in the first part, the tone is desperate, but then there is a change marked by the words “Adieu, Adieu” and the tone becomes resigned and hopeful because she submits to God for comfort and relief. The tone in “The Author To Her Book” is ironic and subtly proud, although intimate. 4. Comment on the imagery of this poem, comparing and contrasting it with the one used in other poems by the same author.

The visual imagery of the poem comes from natural world: babies are flowers newly born, which are “cropped” if they die young. In “To My Dear and Loving Husband” we also find natural imagery: she compares her love to him with fire which “cannot be quenched by the waters of a river”. 5. Explain the author’s innovative use of a rather common metaphor in this text. Using the metaphor of motherhood, she describes the book as her child. Like a protective mother, she notes that the volume was “ill-formed” and snatched away from her before it was ready for independence. The “friends” who took it were “less wise than true,” meaning that while their actions were careless, these people certainly did not have malicious intentions. Now that the work has been published without giving the poet time to correct any errors, it is out in the world at the same time that it is back in her hands. At first, she describes the newly bound volume as “irksome in my sight,” unable to ignore the flaws she wished she had the opportunity to address. She wishes she could present her work in its best form but that is now impossible - she describes washing its face but still seeing dirt and marks. However, the poet cannot help but feel affection for the book, because it is hers - even though it is incomplete. Critic Randall Huff points out that in this poem, Bradstreet uses contemporary terms culled from the book-publishing industry. For example, the “rags” in which the child was sent to the press may refer to the “high rag content of most paper at the time; it was the expensive product of a labor-intensive process and usually superior in many ways to most paper being produced today.” Basically, in this poem, she "deals with correcting the poems, not condemning their creator." 6. Explain the historical context in which this text was written. Anne Bradstreet wrote this poem as the new preface to the second edition. As stated before, her brother-in-law took the book of poems without her permission, and he asserted that she had not neglected her family duties in order to write poetry, as women at that time where pressured to stay out of the public eye, emphazasing that he was solely responsable for the publication of the volume. It is important to bear in mind that by that time, the puritan style of life of very predominant, and it was the religion of the first settlers, being Anne Bradstreet one of them. So, it was not easy for the poet in that time, because women barely had rights, and being the first person to write a book of poems in America, the dispute among her fellow people was grated. So, she had to cope with that, and many times she had to write in a blemish way as to avoid critics due to being a woman, and she used to use “the double meaning” technique, to avoid fierce critics. PART TWO 1. Compare and contrast the metaphorical language of Bradstreet and Wheatley. All through Anne Bradstreet’s preface poem “The Author to Her Book” the speaker refers to her book as if it were her child, a poor fatherless child dressed in “homespun cloth.” She addresses her “offspring” with a view to responding to her brother-in-law’s introduction in

which he mentioned that her duties as a mother and a wife had not been abandoned during the composition of the book of poems he was presenting. Bradstreet’s use of the conventional birth metaphor is innovative: she extends it in order to ironically claim her authorship and prove her dexterity. The central metaphor of the elegy entitled “On My Dear Grandchild Simon Bradstreet” is that DEAD BABIES ARE CUT FLOWERS. In Bradstreet’s poem “To My Dear and Loving Husband” the conceptual metaphors LOVE IS FIRE and LOVE IS A THIRST THAT IS NEVER QUENCHED are implicit in the line “My love is such that rivers cannot quench.” According to the conclusion of her poem “Upon the Burning of Our House,” HEAVEN IS A LUXURIOUS HOUSE. In the poems by Phillis Wheatley we find a number of conventional or lexicalized metaphors, such as “realms of night,” “veil of night,” or “golden hair,” all from “To His Excellency General Washington,” clearly an imitative poem. There are, however, other examples that attest to the originality of her imagination as she wittily condemned racial prejudice and slavery: SKIN COLOR IS A DYE, CHRISTIAN SLAVES ARE REFINED CANE SUGAR (“On Being Brought from Africa to America”). The conceptual metaphors in the poem “To the University of Cambridge, in New England” include SIN IS A POISONOUS SNAKE IN ITS EGG and PROMISING STUDENTS ARE BLOOMING PLANTS. 2. Explain how the poems of Bradstreet and Wheatley compare regarding subject matter (e.g. recurrent themes) and style (e.g. diction, imagery). Anne Bradstreet was a Puritan writer very much concerned with her religious and personal role within the society she lived in. Phillis Wheatley was uprooted and enslaved at an early age, but she was well-treated and received a better education than many white women of her time. An important theme in the works of both authors is religion. Bradstreet was expected to be the model Puritan wife, and as such she wrote poems mainly related to domestic topics, always with a religious component, such as “To My Dear and Loving Husband”. However, Bradstreet’s works sometimes allowed a sliver of doubt as to her certainty in God’s Providence. In “On the Death of My Dear Grandchild Simon Bradstreet” there is a certain ambiguity as to whether she was accepting God’s will or rebelling against it. Wheatley, on the other hand, never shows any signs of doubt about her faith. It was her position as a steadfast Christian that she used to justify giving advice to students of what would later become Harvard University in “To the University of Cambridge, in New England”. Both authors used metaphors extensively. One of Bradstreet’s most well-known is presenting THE AUTHOR’S BOOK AS HER CHILD in “An Author to Her Book”. Wheatley used conventionalised metaphors such as VEILED NIGHT and GOLDEN HAIR (“To His Excellency General Washington”), but she also used many original metaphors that testify to her creat...