'Another (II)' by Anne Bradstreet


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As loving hind that (hartless) wants her deer,
Scuds through the woods and fern with hark'ning ear,
Perplext, in every bush and nook doth pry,
Her dearest deer, might answer ear or eye;
So doth my anxious soul, which now doth miss
A dearer dear (far dearer heart) than this.
Still wait with doubts, and hopes, and failing eye,
His voice to hear or person to descry.
Or as the pensive dove doth all alone
(On withered bough) most uncouthly bemoan
The absence of her love and loving mate,
Whose loss hath made her so unfortunate,
Ev'n thus do I, with many a deep sad groan,
Bewail my turtle true, who now is gone,
His presence and his safe return still woos,
With thousand doleful sighs and mournful coos.
Or as the loving mullet, that true fish,
Her fellow lost, nor joy nor life do wish,
But launches on that shore, there for to die,
Where she her captive husband doth espy.
Mine being gone, I lead a joyless life,
I have a loving peer, yet seem no wife;
But worst of all, to him can't steer my course,
I here, he there, alas, both kept by force.
Return my dear, my joy, my only love,
Unto thy hind, thy mullet, and thy dove,
Who neither joys in pasture, house, nor streams,
The substance gone, O me, these are but dreams.
Together at one tree, oh let us browse,
And like two turtles roost within one house,
And like the mullets in one river glide,
Let's still remain but one, till death divide.
Thy loving love and dearest dear,
At home, abroad, and everywhere.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Another (II): A Deep Dive into Anne Bradstreet's Poetry

Anne Bradstreet is one of the most prominent poets of the colonial era in America. Her poetry is reflective of the Puritan culture and the struggles of women in the patriarchal society. In this literary criticism, I will delve into the meaning and interpretation of one of her famous poems, Another (II).

Overview of the Poem

Another (II) is a poem that speaks to the idea of mortality and the inevitability of death. It is a somber reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the time we have. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme.

Analysis of the Poem

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the work. The opening line, "Lord, I am weary of my thoughts and pen," suggests a weariness with the act of writing and perhaps even a frustration with her own thoughts. This line can be interpreted as an expression of the poet's struggle to find the right words to express her ideas.

The second line, "My hand and eye both do give over by th'use," speaks to the physical strain of writing. The act of writing requires both the hand and eye to work together, and this line suggests that both are fatigued.

In the third line, the poet acknowledges that her work is not yet finished. She writes, "Thou art my rest, my stay, my end, and center." This line can be interpreted as a plea to God for guidance and inspiration. The poet recognizes that without the divine, her work is incomplete.

The second stanza of the poem continues with the theme of mortality. The opening lines, "My God, my God, my weary soul repines," suggest a feeling of discontent and restlessness with life. The repetition of the phrase "my God" emphasizes the poet's reliance on a higher power for comfort and guidance.

In the third line of the stanza, the poet writes, "Would I were gone, and in thy bosom hide." This line can be interpreted as a desire for death and a return to the embrace of God. The line suggests that the poet is tired of the struggles of life and longs for the peace of the afterlife.

The fourth and final stanza of the poem brings the themes of mortality and religion together. The opening line, "What is this world? A termagant, a strife," describes the world as a place of conflict and chaos. The use of the word "termagant" suggests a violent and turbulent world.

The second line of the stanza, "A Pulpit for vain fancies, or vain life," suggests that the world is a platform for self-promotion and egoism. The line can be interpreted as a criticism of the societal values of the time.

In the third line, the poet writes, "What is a life? A weary pilgrimage." This line speaks to the idea that life is a journey with many hardships and struggles. The use of the word "weary" suggests that the poet is tired of the struggles of life.

The final line of the poem, "Where he that is, of it doth seek his end," suggests that the ultimate goal of life is to seek God and find salvation. The line can be interpreted as a reflection on the importance of faith in a world that is often chaotic and uncertain.

Interpretation of the Poem

Another (II) can be interpreted as a reflection on the Puritan values of the time. The poem speaks to the idea of mortality and the importance of faith in a world that is often chaotic and uncertain. It can also be interpreted as a criticism of the societal values of the time. The poet suggests that the world is a place of conflict and chaos, and that the ultimate goal of life is to seek God and find salvation.

The repetition of the phrase "my God" throughout the poem emphasizes the poet's reliance on a higher power for comfort and guidance. The use of iambic tetrameter and consistent ABAB rhyme scheme creates a sense of rhythm and structure that reflects the poet's struggle to find order and meaning in a chaotic world.

Conclusion

Another (II) is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the struggles of life and the importance of faith. The poem is a reflection on the Puritan values of the time and can be interpreted as a criticism of the societal values of the time. The repetition of the phrase "my God" emphasizes the poet's reliance on a higher power for comfort and guidance. Overall, Another (II) is a testament to Anne Bradstreet's skill as a poet and her ability to express complex ideas through her work.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Anne Bradstreet's "Another (II)" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem, exploring its structure, language, and meaning.

The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. Bradstreet uses the traditional rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is common in Shakespearean sonnets. The use of this form gives the poem a sense of structure and order, which is fitting given the themes of the poem.

The first line of the poem, "I am obnoxious to each carping tongue," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Bradstreet is acknowledging that she is not perfect and that she is open to criticism. However, she is also saying that she is not going to let the opinions of others bring her down. This is a powerful message that is still relevant today.

The second line, "Who says my hand a needle better fits," is a reference to the fact that Bradstreet was a woman in a time when women were expected to be homemakers and not pursue careers. The line is a subtle nod to the fact that Bradstreet was a talented writer and that she was not going to let societal expectations hold her back.

The third and fourth lines, "A poet's pen all scorn I should thus wrong, / For such despite they cast on female wits," further emphasize the idea that Bradstreet was not going to let the opinions of others hold her back. She was proud of her talent as a writer and was not going to let anyone tell her that she was not good enough.

The fifth and sixth lines, "If what I do prove well, it won't advance, / They'll say it's stolen, or else it was by chance," are a reflection of the fact that Bradstreet was a woman in a time when women were not taken seriously as writers. Even if she wrote something that was well-received, there would always be those who would dismiss her work as being stolen or a fluke.

The seventh and eighth lines, "Yet let me boast, lest you should think me vain, / I'll be as proud as they that doth attain," are a declaration of Bradstreet's pride in her work. She is not going to let anyone make her feel ashamed of her talent. She is going to be just as proud of her accomplishments as anyone else would be.

The ninth and tenth lines, "Unto what sort of persons I befall, / I'll strive to please, and give content to all," show Bradstreet's desire to please everyone. She wants her work to be enjoyed by all, regardless of their social status or gender. This is a noble goal, but it is also one that is impossible to achieve.

The eleventh and twelfth lines, "For as I am, I doubt not but I shall, / To some, perhaps, their liking not at all," acknowledge the fact that not everyone is going to like her work. This is a fact of life that Bradstreet has come to accept. She knows that she cannot please everyone, but she is still going to try.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines, "What's that to me? I'll write, as they shall praise, / Or censure, what they list. Lo! thus my days," are a declaration of Bradstreet's commitment to her craft. She is going to write regardless of what others think. Her days are going to be spent doing what she loves, and she is not going to let anyone stop her.

In conclusion, Anne Bradstreet's "Another (II)" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. It is a poem that is still relevant today, despite being written over 300 years ago. The use of the sonnet form gives the poem a sense of structure and order, which is fitting given the themes of the poem. Bradstreet's use of language is powerful and evocative, and her message is one that is still important today. This is a poem that should be read and appreciated by all lovers of literature.

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