Feminism in Anne Bradstreets Poems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Feminism in Anne Bradstreets Poems - Essay Example Through poems, poets express their deepest feelings and thoughts, about the personal, social and political situations of their times. In the past, it was considered that only men are capable of writing poetry, as it takes guts and courage to express the bold and revolutionary thoughts, ideas and feelings openly. Hence, when a woman living in the 17th century, used poetry as a medium to express her deepest and the darkest fears, agonies, hopes and dreams, then it left an unforgettable mark in the history of poetry. The woman who left an indelible mark in the world of literature through her poems which mirrored her deep sentiments and protest against the Puritan ways that restricted women from living a free and respectable life, was Anne Bradstreet (Martin, â€Å"An American† 5). When Anne Bradstreet’s poems were reclaimed by American woman writer in 1960’s, then her free thinking and her feelings about woman’s position in the society, made her to be known a s a feminist poet (Frost 117). However, feminism in Anne Bradstreet’s poetry was not expressed boldly and ‘loudly’, but was visible in a subtle way through language that was socially acceptable, polished and pious in nature. Even though Anne Bradstreet was a free thinker and believed in equality of women, it can be said that in initial part of her life, feminism was visible more in her intellectual curiosity about God and her bold spiritual quest (which was not expected of women in her time), than through an outright reference to women’s freedom and equality in her poems. However, when she sensed rejection and suppression of her art by people, due to her being a female, then the feminist in her was awakened. Hence, it won’t be wrong to say that it was the love and passion of her art that awakened the feminist in Anne Bradstreet, and made her to revolt against the Puritan restrictions and limitations forced on women in her time. Feminist At Heart Wom en who are well aware of their rights and fight against the cruel and selfish behavior of men towards them are called as feminists. However, rather than showing her opposition and revolt in her actions and poetry, Anne Bradstreet chose to express her true feelings in mild ways which were in sync with the Puritan America and social standards of her time (Frost 117). Hence, feminism in Anne Bradstreet’s poetry was expressed in subtle ways initially. Rather than writing about her experience of the external world and what she felt and knew about it, Anne Bradstreet’s poetry was a way of escapism from the reality of her life (Rich xiv). She avoided using her personal life experiences as a subject of her poems. It was not common for women of her time (Puritan) to think of anything apart from her limited world of her family, husband, children, household chores and duties (Rich xiv). ‘Independence’ of women was considered a ‘prideful monster’ in the P uritan doctrines (Martin, â€Å"Shakespeare’s Sisters† 19). However, Anne Bradstreet was an educated and very well read woman (Rich xi). She was intellectually aware and gained knowledge about the subjects like theology, history and literature (Rich xi). This made her to show curiosity about the topics which were considered the domain of men and hence, she got the reputation of being a modern woman who had spirit to go beyond the limited world that was forced on women of her time (Rich xvi). Hence, her thinking ability and the spirit to go

Origins of the idea of american Exceptionalismin history. and give Essay

Origins of the idea of american Exceptionalismin history. and give many examples from the book uncle tom's cabin(first publ - Essay Example Throughout the history of the nation, the country experienced unique historical occurrences, which sustained the concept of exceptionalism as most of the historical occurrences different from those that had taken place elsewhere in the world. Based on the analysis of such historical occurrences and a reflection of the novel Uncle Sam’s cabin, the essay below analyses the development and the use of the concept. Among such historical occurrences was the American Revolution, while historians have referred to the conflict in the first half of the 18th century as a revolution, the war was merely a nationalist movement seeking independence from the colonial masters. In a unique development and being the first of its kind, thirteen American colonies in the North concerted their effort to oppose the British colony thus push for self-rule. The thirteen states rejected the use of the legislations from the English parliament thus setting stage for one of the greatest wars in the history of the United States. In its uniqueness, the American Revolution became some of the forces beyond the formation of the United States. In their show of unity, the thirteen states joined together thus pooled their resources to form one of the greatest resistance in the world thus showing the power of unity. Some other historians on the other hand have sought to validate the resistance movement as an actual revolution; the war portrayed certain features that qualify it as a rebellion. The resistance against the British colonization of the land required great planning especially given the fact that it united thirteen expansive states. Just as many other revolutions elsewhere in the world, the American Revolution sought to introduce a change in regime. It was a great rebellion whose key objective was to topple the colonial government thus earns the thirteen regions in the north their independence. The resistance from the North compelled the government of England to send its troop to the land thus beginning on of the largest military inversion in the world. However, in their strong resolve and spirit of nationalism, the leaders of the revolution used their knowledge of their land to their advantage thus outsmarting the British soldiers thus sending he wave of the resistance to other parts of America such as the south. The other exceptional development in the American history was the American colony in Massachusetts. The expansive region exhibited cosmopolitan structure since it habited both the natives and the colonialists. While the colonialists strived to amass as much wealth from the country’s expansive resources, the locals exhibited resistance from the initial stages of the entry of the colonialists. However, their plan was to integrate with the colonialists and conduct their business alongside the colonialists thus learn their ways and formulate a massive resistance an occurrence that began the American Revolution. In the novel, the author portrays a cl ose relationship between the natives and the colonialists. The growth of the slave trade would revolutionize the economy of the world, the locals thus appreciated the trade and often invested in slave trade often purchasing the slaves from the slave markets all over Africa and selling them to the settlers. The treatment of the African American slaves in the country however became the longest American holocaust. The country abandoned Marxist theories and developed a liberal