Schroeder Sp2010
kschroeder
Anne Bradstreet and Mary Rowlandson, two of the most well known writers of the seventeenth century, exemplify how Puritan religion was a major influence in early American literature. The importance of religion appears in many Puritan texts along with the ideas of uniformity, constant vigilance, and self- evaluation. During this period of heavy religious emphasis, women writers were looked down upon, especially in the public sphere. As females, Bradstreet and Rowlandson successfully defeated criticisms from conventional Puritan society. Bradstreet became the first person to have her own poems published in the New England colonies and Rowlandson is credited with developing the first captivity narrative. Anne Bradstreet and Mary Rowlandson’s work is influential because of their strong religious background and individual perseverance as women. Within this exhibit, I have gathered information from several sources that I believe would be helpful in constructing a research paper. In the case of both women, I have concentrated on how their work reflects the importance of religion throughout Puritan culture as well as the motives behind each author’s purpose for writing.
Anne Bradstreet: Poet in Search of Form
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The article “Anne Bradstreet: A Poet in Search of Form” by Rosemary Laughlin examines the techniques and subject matter Bradstreet practiced throughout her poetry. Techniques used include rhymed couplets of iambic pentameter and frequent changes of themes, imagery, and verse. In regards to subject matter, Bradstreet contributed to the originality of her work by expressing her unyielding relationship with God in accordance with a strong connection towards her family and husband. When the aspects of subject and style merge together, the resulting combination reflects a certain element of dynamic individuality consistent in all of Bradstreet’s writing. I believe this article further enhanced my understanding of Anne Bradstreet because it highlights the special importance of family within the domestic realm, a subject I find to be essential if writing a research paper on this literary figure. |
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Female Piety in Puritan New England: The Emergence of Religious Humanism
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Female Piety in Puritan New England by Amanda Porterfield illustrates how contrary to popular belief, women were an integral part of the Puritan religion and did possess some authority of their own. Porterfield conveys that without the support of females in society, “the patriarchal belief system essential to Puritan culture” most likely would not have survived. More specifically, Porterfield depicts how Puritan culture proved to be of great value in regards to Anne Bradstreet’s progression as a female writer. By exercising her authority as a mother and being a good wife, Bradstreet effectively balanced her two domestic roles allowing her to compose poetry without disturbing the conventions placed on women during the Puritan Era. I found this source to be valuable because it presents Anne Bradstreet on a more complex level and recognizes the importance of femininity in a mostly male- dominated world.
http://site.ebrary.com/lib/tamu/docDetail.action?docID=10142116 |
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The Cultural Dynamics of American Puritanism
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Within the text of “The Cultural Dynamics of American Puritanism”, David Robinson further explores the link between Puritan America and its impact on American literary history. Robinson argues Puritanism as an ever-evolving movement interwoven with political and social aspects that continuously affected New England society during the seventeenth century. He covers several literary figures, men and women both, and their significance within Puritan culture. In regards to Anne Bradstreet, Robinson draws his thoughts from reviewing Amanda Porterfield’s book Female Piety in Puritan New England: The Emergence of Religious Humanism. For the most part, Robinson commends Porterfield’s representation of Bradstreet and the femininity of Puritan women. Like Porterfield, Robinson points to the emphasis on marriage and family revealed in Bradstreet’s work and how she successfully shaped her writing around life experiences. I found this article to be appropriate because it broadened my knowledge of other meaningful Puritan writers and expanded the presentation of Anne Bradstreet as an accomplished poet. |
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