English Literature

Anne Bradstreet, a well-educated Puritan born in England, is one of the first and most talented female poets of America. She was married to Simon Bradstreet at the age of 16 and they arrived in America in the year 1630. Despite having eight children, Anne managed to engage in poetry and produce some great writings. Her poem To My Dear and Loving Husband describes her devotion to and honest affection for her husband who became a Massachusetts governor who was always away because of work. Thus, this poem was inspired by the frequent absence of Bradstreets husband. However, aside from the theme of love depicted in the poem, Bradstreets work is also a reflection of how passionate she is with her role as a wife.

Bradstreets poem is an expression of her role as a wife and as a woman in love. The poem exposes just how much affection and admiration the poet professes in each and every line. Even from her very first words, Bradstreet says that  if ever two were one, then surely we  (line 1), which suggests that she believes that she and her husband only belong together. The words  wife  and  man  (1) in the poem pertain to Anne Bradstreet and her husband, Simon, and these words also reflect her awareness that their marriage is a union that makes them one. Thus, through the poems first three lines, Bradstreet expresses that she is happy and proud to be the wife of this man who loves his woman dearly and faithfully.

Bradstreet firmly believes that their love is lasting. She proves this in the lines  my love is such that rivers cannot quench, nor ought but love from thee give recompetence  (7-8). Therefore, these lines also imply that she takes her role as a wife seriously. Through these lines, Bradstreet also portrays her sincerity to her husband that even distance could never depreciate the love that they share, as the word  rivers  connotes the separation they constantly experience.

As a woman, Bradstreet also recognizes that their society is very particular of how wives should behave or act when it comes to their husbands. However, their marriage and relationship as partners have assured her that her husband loves her and treats her as an equal human being, as suggested in the lines  Thy love is such I can no way repay, the heavens reward thee manifold I pray  because the treatment that her husband shows to her is like a gift from God (9-10).  She upholds her marriage because her husband had never mistreated her and always treated her lovingly. Also, she bravely professes in her last lines that  then while we live, in love lets so persevere, That when we live no more, we may live ever  (11-12). These lines imply that she believes that as they continue to live, they will live as husband and wife united in love, and even in after death, they will still be together. She recognizes that as a woman and a wife, it is her duty to protect her marriage and make it last.  Annes society then women are restricted to express too much feelings but she was not afraid to claim to the world that even in death she shall love his husband.

Anne Bradstreets poetry clearly portrays how much she loves her husband and that she does not doubt that she is loved as well. Being expressive of their feelings is very unusual for the women of her time, and this makes the poem both brave and sincere. Anne Bradstreet is very passionate of her role as a partner to man who honestly loves her, and To My Dear and Loving Husband is a proof that she enjoyed her role as a wife, she lived a happy marriage, and she had a loving family.