What are the particular challenges that Bradstreet faces that causes her to invoke God? Does she present her social and spiritual duties as easy to fulfill? Why or why not?

Other by Geoffrey

Required Reading:

Anne Bradstreet, “The Prologue” (pp. 135), “The Author to Her Book,” (pp. 142), “Upon the Burning of Our House, July 10th, 1666” (pp. 146)

Phillis Wheatley, “Preface,” “To the Public,” “To Maecenas,” “On Being Brought from Africa to America,” “To the University of Cambridge” (pp. 451-458)

Early American Poetry

Answer ONE of the following two prompts for this week’s discussion post.

  1. Phillis Wheatley is a writer of African descent who used her poetic talent as a means of expressing the need for the abolition of slavery. However, Wheatley was still enslaved at the time she wrote “To the University of Cambridge, in New England.” Write a response commenting on the strategies Wheatley uses in this poem to demonstrate the importance of abolition and/or racial equality.
  2. Anne Bradstreet was distinctive for being both a woman and a popular author in seventeenth-century British America. She was a devout Puritan, but also a wife and mother, and these religious and social realities inform her literary works. Write a response that considers the way(s) in which Bradstreet presents her social and spiritual duties and/or options. What are the particular challenges that Bradstreet faces that causes her to invoke God? Does she present her social and spiritual duties as easy to fulfill? Why or why not? Reference at least one of her poems that we read in your response.

 

Reminders:

  • Discussion posts should be at least 300 words and reference all authors mentioned in the question.
  • Posts should include at least one direct quotation from each text to help support your points (with correct citations and formatting).