Anne Bradstreet on Infant
Bradstreet On Infant Death: Was God Justified? The death of a child, parent, relative, or any loved one-especially an unexpected passing-is usually followed by a period of mourning over the deceased. Religion and faith, when received into one's life during this time of grieving, can be a source of guidance and reassurance. As in modernity, those living in Colonial America experienced similar occurrences and emotions, yet on a much more regular basis. Though death was generally looked upon as being part of God's will, there were those who harbored some form of confusion or resentment towards a God which frequently interrupted lives. More often than not, these feelings were resolved. Through analysis of works by Anne Dudley Bradstreet, this essay will show that, even though death sometimes caused a Puritan Christian such as Bradstreet to struggle with the fairness of early or unexpected death, which could be viewed as undermining basic Puritan doctrine, loss was ultimately viewed through the lens of Christianity and not seen as total or final, but as part of God's will. Anne Bradstreet, having come to America in the early 17th century, experienced loss throughout her life. From witnessing fire destroy her home to grieving
So, upon first glance, the poem seems to show Bradstreet handling such loss by assuring herself that the deceased has fully become part of the eternal and ultimately, God's kingdom. In opposition to the first stanza of "In Memory," the second and last stanza includes metaphors utilizing nature which creates a tone of uncertainty over God's decision to prematurely end Elizabeth Bradstreet's life. " (line 2), showing that Anne Bradstreet (and family) was outwardly mourning the loss of Simon. Puritans drew strength from their Christian beliefs and, in the end, put their faith in God and felt His will to be total and commanding. Therefore, she is, in fact, questioning and "bewailing" the death of Elizabeth. Anne Bradstreet is no different, yet slightly singular in that her poetry allows for multiple interpretations. Bradstreet writes, "But plants new set to be eradicate,/ And buds new blown to have so short a date,/ Is by His hand alone that guides nature and fate" (lines 12-14). Admittedly, some of this interpretation would be strengthened by knowing how Bradstreet intoned such lines or phrases, seeing that tone of voice allows an audience to more accurately process what an author is attempting to suggest. One could safely suggest that through these lines, Bradstreet was simply coping with loss by handing the situation up to God. By labeling death from old age "natural," yet excluding the "plants new set" and "buds new blown" which have been prematurely "cropt," she appears to disagree with the sudden loss of infant Elizabeth.
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Acceptance Essays
