Anne Bradstreet Essay On Women

Women in the mid-seventeenth century were to live by specific standards in order to conform to social roles. It was their natural responsibility to perform the domestic duties as a wife and mother. Puritans were a group of people that reformed religion which adhered to religion, moral and social order. Anne Bradstreet was a Puritan that wrote poetry reflecting on what she had experienced as a woman, even though during this era women should not challenge societal norms. She wrote many poems that contained subliminal content within them.
One poem that Bradstreet wrote, “In Honour of that High and Mighty Princess, Queen Elizabeth” was to the late Queen Elizabeth. She expresses her respect and gratitude to the Queen for being an extraordinary woman:
Millions will testify that this is true. She hath wip’d off th’ aspersion of her Sex, That women wisdom lack to play the Rex. ()

In another one of her writings called “Prologue” she demonstrates how society views women she wrote, 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. If what I do prove well, it won’t advance, They’ll say it’s stol’n, or else it was by chance. ()

In addition, she wrote “The Arthur to Her Book” which display that she is able to create beautiful and brilliant work without the assistance of a male.

In this array ‘mongst vulgars may’st thou roam. In critic’s hands beware thou dost not come, And take thy way where yet thou art not known; If for thy father asked, say thou hadst none; And for thy mother, she alas is poor, Which caused her thus to send thee out of door.