Numerous poets emerged during the 17th century in Colonial America. Notably, the most documented poets were Puritans from the Massachusetts Bay colony, for example, the renowned Edward Taylor (Shi and Tindall 134). Works of literature, including poems, became part of the tools utilized to convey important information among the colonists. Anne Bradstreet’s 1678 poem “To My Dear and Loving Husband” and Edward Taylor’s 1685 argue the virtuousness of marital love and how best individuals can know and serve God, respectively. By analyzing the poems critically, one can note the similarities and differences between Taylor and Bradstreet. The two poets share the same faith and are dedicated to their respective goals, yet both use different writing styles to convey their messages and feelings.
Firstly, one can easily tell from the poem that Taylor and Bradstreet share the same religion. Although the messages in their works differ significantly, faith is central in both. Taylor employs the metaphor of weaving cloth to request God to mold him to be a rightful Christion. In a manner that suggests total submission, humility, and loyalty, the poet desperately says, “make me thy loome then, knit therein this twine, and make the Holy Spirit, Lord, wind quills” (7-8). Here, the persona asks God to use him as He wishes by sending the Holy Spirit, a gesture of total trust in religion. Bradstreet equally shows her belief in religion by submitting that she cannot repay her husband’s unwavering love, but “the heavens reward thee manifold, I pray” (10). Hence, the poets are unquestionable of the same monistic religion, specifically Christians since they were Puritans. Puritans had migrated from Great Britain to escape religious persecution and settled in New England, where they had the freedom to exercise their faith (Shi and Tindall 134). Their settlement in the region was focused on creating a compulsory religious uniformity.
Secondly, the two poets are devoted to their distinct goals. Taylor is convinced that humankind should submit to God for spiritual comfort and growth. Since the ultimate goal of Christians is to be rewarded by God after serving him entirely while alive, Taylor argues that people should show total dedication to the doctrine. The persona asks God that every part of his life, “mine Understanding, Will, Affections, Judgment, Conscience, Memory My Words, and Actions,” to be filled with “holy robes for glory” (13-18). Such submission is an argument depicting loyalty to religious life. Similarly, Bradstreet’s poem shows her total conviction on the power and the correlation between love and life after death. The speaker believes that love enables her to enter heaven by saying, “Then while we live, in love let’s so persevere. That when we live no more, we may live ever” (11-12). Bradstreet is refuting the traditional belief that viewed love and sexuality as sinful. The Puritan society during the 17th century disregarded explicit depictions of affections, passion, and desire, especially by women (Ahmad 25). However, Bradstreet shows her commitment to celebrating marital love as God-given and rightful.
However, Taylor and Bradstreet differ significantly in their styles of writing. Taylor writes using philosophical metaphors that require one to analyze thoroughly to understand the poem. The figure of speech is important in creating excellent mental images. For example, Taylor writes that “Thine Ordinances make my Fulling Mills” (10). The statement contains a deep metaphor that says in simple language that God is the authority whose instructions lead to perfection the same way a clothmaker cleanses cloth. On the contrary, Bradstreet talks and writes directly. Her poem uses simple language that is easily understood without much thinking. Throughout the poem, the speaker leaves no room for interpretation by talking straightforwardly. For instance, in the first line, the poet shows the simplicity of language by writing, “if ever two were one, then we,” referring to the oneness of the speaker and her husband (1). Therefore, a critical analysis of the two poems shows the difference between Taylor and Bradstreet in their use of language to convey their ideas. Taylor’s writing requires thorough analysis and interpretation while Bradstreet’s is easy to understand.
In short, an in-depth analysis of the poems “To My Dear and Loving Husband” and “Huswifery” gives an idea of the poets’ similarities and differences. Both writers are Christian and have strong faith in the significance of religion, especially in the afterlife. Although the two writers explore different ideas, religious issues play a fundamental role in delivering the message. Additionally, Taylor and Bradstreet are devoted individuals as seen from their commitment to their respective concepts. Bradstreet shows her unflinching belief in the virtuousness of marital love, while Taylor portrays his unwavering conviction in God’s authority in human life. Nevertheless, the two poets have stark differences in their use of language and writing styles. Bradstreet uses a simple and direct writing style, whereas Tayler employs complex and indirect language.
Works Cited
Ahmad, Zaheer. “Hester Prynne as a Rebel to Puritan Society in Hawthorne’s Romance the Scarlet Letter.” Journal of Philosophy, Culture and Religion, vol. 7, no. 1, 2015, pp. 25-27.
Bradstreet, Anne. “To my dear and loving husband.”Poetry Foundation, Web.
Shi, David E., and George Brown Tindall. America: A Narrative History. 9th ed., WW Norton & Company, 2016.
Taylor, Edward. “Huswifery.” Poetry Foundation. Web.