Anne Bradstreet and William Bradford
The poetry of Bradford varies, with some of them being on informed subjects such as qualities of fire, history and medicine. Some of her shorter poems were on issues like about children, home and husband. However, the recurring theme in them was the puritan belief of not being attached to worldly things. On the other hand, Bradstreet had a puritan view too. She had the belief of women being submissive omen under all conditions (Hager45). Both writers present their experiences with nature, following different opinions and views about the reality of the creator and the its interaction with nature.
Looking at the poetry by William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation, Anne Bradstreet the prominence of nature is significant. Their works focus on the role of nature in the lives of people, especially as regards Christmas. These opinions and influences were both negative and positive, showing the influences of the chaotic wilderness of nature and the evidence of the meddling of Satan in the lives of people. Through the works of Bradford, there is strong negation of intimacy, because of the belief of it being the doing of Satan.
He believed that the work of Satan was to “sow errours, heresies and wonderful dissensions amongst the professors themselves,” this created distortions and confusion of natural order creating a series of spiritual chaos. In Plymouth Plantation, he says that that the Pilgrims, on arrival to the New World, faced “a hideous and desolate wilderness, full of wild beasts and wild men” (73). In his opinion, the world had collapsed and there was no stability or order.
In the perspective of Bradstreet, nature is a pale reflection as shown in “He that dwells on high,/ Whose power and beauty by his works we know” (Lines 10-11). This shows that contrary to the opinion of Bradford of sin being the work of Satan, it is the glorification of the power of God over nature. It is the only situation, which gives man the chance of recognizing the power of God and coming to terms with his omnipotence. In her view, nature is impressive, beautiful, positively spiritual figure, and a representation of God. Bradstreet is conscious of the aesthetics of nature and she devotes her work in their descriptions, such as when she describes autumn trees in ‘Contemplations’. “Their leaves and fruits seemed painted, but was true/ Of green, of red, of yellow mixed hue” (5-6). She describes the crickets, cockroaches and the sun reckoning its power over night, and shows that nature praises God as the creator (Cook 66).
It is, however, clear that regardless of the beauty of nature God is the greatest and glorious. “If so much excellence abide below,/ How excellent is He that dwells on high” (9-10). This sets her apart from William Bradford who sees the nature of sin as a disgrace to God. In the opinion of Bradstreet, nature is an evidence of God’s glory, and not just a disorder and confusion caused by Satan. She also thinks that every living thing has the nature of praising God and worshiping him as the creator. In her opinion,. Nature is not a trial requiring strength to overpower as portrayed by Bradford. It is an example and a learning guide, which bring pleasure to both the senses and to the heart.
Works Cited
Cook, Faith. Anne Bradstreet: Pilgrim and Poet. Darlington: EP Books, 2010. Print.
Hager, Alan. Encyclopedia of British Writers. New York: Facts On File. (2005): 45. Internet resource.
