'A Love Letter to Her Husband' by Anne Bradstreet
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Phoebus make haste, the day's too long, begone,
The silent night's the fittest time for moan;
But stay this once, unto my suit give ear,
And tell my griefs in either Hemisphere:
(And if the whirling of thy wheels do n't drown'd
The woful accents of my doleful sound),
If in thy swift career thou canst make stay,
I crave this boon, this errand by the way:
Commend me to the man more lov'd than life,
Show him the sorrows of his widow'd wife,
My dumpish thoughts, my groans, my brackish tears,
My sobs, my longing hopes, my doubting fears,
And, if he love, how can he there abide?
My interest's more than all the world beside.
He that can tell the stars or Ocean sand,
Or all the grass that in the meads do stand,
The leaves in th' woods, the hail or drops of rain,
Or in a cornfield number every grain,
Or every mote that in the sunshine hops,
May court my sighs and number all my drops.
Tell him, the countless steps that thou dost trace,
That once a day thy spouse thou mayst embrace;
And when thou canst not treat by loving mouth,
Thy rays afar, salute her from the south.
But for one month I see no day (poor soul)
Like those far situate under the pole,
Which day by day long wait for thy arise,
O how they joy when thou dost light the skies.
O Phoebus, hadst thou but thus long from thine
Restrain'd the beams of thy beloved shine,
At thy return, if so thou couldst or durst,
Behold a Chaos blacker than the first.
Tell him here's worse than a confused matter,
His little world's a fathom under water,
Naught but the fervor of his ardent beams
Hath power to dry the torrent of these streams.
Tell him I would say more, but cannot well,
Opressed minds abrupted tales do tell.
Now post with double speed, mark what I say,
By all our loves conjure him not to stay.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, A Love Letter to Her Husband by Anne Bradstreet: A Critique and Interpretation
Anne Bradstreet's poem "A Love Letter to Her Husband" is a beautiful expression of the bond between two people who love each other deeply. The poem is full of emotion and tenderness, and it captures the essence of what it means to be in love. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem in detail, examining its themes, structure, language, and imagery.
Background
Anne Bradstreet was a Puritan poet who lived in the early 17th century. She was born in England in 1612 and emigrated to America with her family when she was 18 years old. She was the first published poet in the British colonies in America, and her work reflects her Puritan beliefs and her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated society. "A Love Letter to Her Husband" was written in 1640 while she was living in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Structure
The poem is structured in six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four stressed syllables followed by four unstressed syllables. This rhythmic pattern gives the poem a sense of momentum and energy.
Themes
The poem explores several themes, including love, devotion, and the passage of time. The speaker expresses her love and devotion to her husband, and she acknowledges the inevitability of death and the transience of life. The poem also addresses the idea of separation and the fear of losing the one you love.
Language and Imagery
The language in the poem is simple and direct, but it is also full of powerful imagery. The speaker compares her love to a "mine of gold," and she describes her husband as her "all in all." These metaphors convey the depth and intensity of her love. The poem also contains several allusions to classical mythology, including references to Apollo, Diana, and the Fates. These allusions add depth and richness to the poem, and they suggest that the speaker's love is timeless and eternal.
Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted in several ways. On one level, it is a love poem, a celebration of the bond between two people who love each other deeply. The speaker's love for her husband is all-consuming, and it defines her existence. The poem is also a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The speaker acknowledges that her love will not last forever, but she also suggests that it will endure beyond death.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the role of women in society. Anne Bradstreet was a Puritan woman living in a male-dominated society, and her work reflects her struggles to assert herself as a writer and a thinker. In "A Love Letter to Her Husband," the speaker is defined by her relationship to her husband. She is his "weaker part," and she acknowledges that her identity is bound up with his. However, the poem also suggests that her love transcends her role as a wife and that it is a powerful force in its own right.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Love Letter to Her Husband" is a beautiful and moving poem that explores the themes of love, devotion, and the passage of time. The poem is simple yet profound, and it captures the essence of what it means to be in love. Anne Bradstreet's use of language and imagery is powerful and evocative, and her poem continues to resonate with readers today. Whether interpreted as a love poem or a commentary on the role of women in society, "A Love Letter to Her Husband" is a masterpiece of American poetry that deserves to be read and appreciated.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Anne Bradstreet's "A Love Letter to Her Husband" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful expression of love and devotion that has touched the hearts of readers for centuries. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem is a love letter from Anne Bradstreet to her husband, Simon Bradstreet. It was written in the 17th century, a time when women were not encouraged to express their feelings openly. However, Anne Bradstreet was a remarkable woman who defied the norms of her time and wrote poetry that was both personal and profound.
The poem begins with a declaration of love. Anne Bradstreet expresses her deep affection for her husband and describes him as her "dear and loving husband." She goes on to say that her love for him is so strong that it cannot be measured by any earthly standard. She says, "I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold, or all the riches that the East doth hold."
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a declaration of love that is both passionate and sincere. Anne Bradstreet's use of language is simple and direct, but it conveys a depth of feeling that is truly remarkable.
The second stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of love. Anne Bradstreet compares her love for her husband to a "bond of love" that cannot be broken. She says that their love is like a "marriage of true minds" that is not affected by the passing of time or the changes of life. This stanza is a testament to the enduring nature of love and the power it has to sustain us through the ups and downs of life.
The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the physical beauty of her husband. Anne Bradstreet describes him as "fair, kind, and true" and says that his beauty is not just skin deep. She says that his "mind and judgment" are just as beautiful as his physical appearance. This stanza is a reminder that true beauty comes from within and that physical appearance is only one aspect of a person's character.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the spiritual nature of their love. Anne Bradstreet says that their love is not just a physical attraction, but a spiritual connection that is rooted in their faith. She says that their love is "such that rivers cannot quench, nor ought but love from thee give recompense." This stanza is a reminder that love is not just a feeling, but a choice that we make to commit ourselves to another person.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the mortality of life. Anne Bradstreet acknowledges that their love will not last forever in this world, but she expresses the hope that it will continue in the afterlife. She says, "When we live no more, we may live ever." This stanza is a reminder that love transcends the boundaries of this world and that it has the power to endure beyond death.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a common meter in English poetry. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality that is pleasing to the ear. The poem is also divided into five stanzas, each with four lines. This structure gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry.
In terms of language, Anne Bradstreet's use of imagery is particularly noteworthy. She uses metaphors and similes to convey the depth of her feelings. For example, she compares her love to a "bond of love" and a "marriage of true minds." She also uses hyperbole to express the intensity of her love, saying that she prizes it more than "whole mines of gold."
Overall, "A Love Letter to Her Husband" is a beautiful poem that expresses the depth of Anne Bradstreet's love for her husband. It is a testament to the enduring nature of love and the power it has to sustain us through the ups and downs of life. The poem is a reminder that true beauty comes from within and that love is not just a feeling, but a choice that we make to commit ourselves to another person. Anne Bradstreet's use of language and imagery is masterful, and her message is one that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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