Anne Bradstreet biography summary

When I think about Anne Bradstreet I think of a very talented knowledgeable woman
who has taken literature to an entirely new level. After reading two of her poems: To My
Dear and Loving Husband, and my favorite The Author to Her Book, I was very intrigued
and fascinated that a person could write with such emotion and color in only a twenty-
four line poem, because of her style of writing, I have found a new appreciation in
literature. Anne is a true inspiration to women young and old who have dreams of
becoming an author. The fact that the poem was written in the 1670s is very inspirational,
this was during a time where as a woman you didn’t have much of a voice. In my opinion
Anne is one of the most influential authors in America. Her writing style is one that is
very logical, and beautiful. Reading one of her pieces you can tell that much thought and
patience went into making a beautiful piece of art. Literature is art in letters. It captivates
the eye, and stimulates the mind. I hope that I can do her justice with my own writing,
because she has paved the way for me.
Born to her parents Dudley and Dorothy York in 1612 no one knew the impact that
she would one day have on literature. Growing up in Northampton, England her parents
made sure that they raised a well educated young woman. Two years after she married
twenty-five year old Simon Bradford at the young age of sixteen, her family immigrated
to America. They were transported on one of the first ships that transported the Puritans.
This ship was called the Arabella. Throughout the harsh journey many lives were lost do
to the unbearable climates, and poor living conditions. Anne found this three month
journey very difficult, but passed the time by tutoring various subjects such as history and
literature. Upon docking Thomas Dudley and John Winthrop organized a government to
help pull the people through such hard times, however Anne turned to her faith in God,
believing in her heart that He would remain by her side. With poor living conditions
Anne attained smallpox, which made her grow very ill, however she was determined to
pull through making a house for herself and her eight children. Anne’s husband came into
land and social standing, which greatly helped them in the hard time when their house
was burned by a fire, causing them to lose everything. Anne’s husband was very involved
in politics which enabled him from being home often. This resulted in Anne remaining
alone for large quantities of time for days. As on the boat she passed the time by teaching,
and passing on her knowledge and wisdom. She taught her children just as her parents
had educated her when she was young. It wasn’t long before Anne discovered a love and
talent for poetry. She shared it only with close friends and family for it was forbidden for
a woman to be intellectual. Anne Hutchinson, one of her dearest friends was banished
from their colony when speaking out against religious beliefs. John Woodbridge, her
brother in law secretly transported her poetry back to England without her permission
where it was published into a book titled The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung up in America,
By a Gentlewoman of Those Parts. This was the last poem of hers to be published while
she was alive. After the publication she contracted tuberculosis and proceeded her
daughter Dorothy in death in September 16, 1672 at the age of 60. We can find comfort
that she died at the birthplace of her poems, in Andover, Massachusetts. “I am obnoxious
to each carping tongue/ Who says my hand a needle better fits,/ A poet's pen all scorn I
should thus wrong/ For such despite they cast on female wits. . . .”(quote by Anne
Bradstreet)
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