Anne Bradstreet was the first American poet, and was also the first woman to devote her life to writing. Her writing was very personal, because she wrote for personal expression alone. She had a very practical language, which could make readers feel more connected to her. She had a very strong intuition, and she had a constant fascination with the human mind, spirit, and inner guidance. Although she spoke in a simple manner, she was a woman of high intelligence. She had a very deep and strong love for her family, including them in many of her writings. Possibly her strongest characteristic, though, was her faith in God. She was a devout Puritan, and often wrote about the struggles of being a Puritan wife facing the hardships of New England colonial life. The colonist's fight for survival was never-ending, with the harsh climate and lack of food, so Bradstreet turned her faith towards God in her most difficult moments. She knew that even in their hardest times and tragedies, God would not abandon her or her family. Through everything she faced, she always kept her Puritan beliefs near to her heart. The loyalty Bradstreet had to her Puritan beliefs was amazing to many, no matter their religion, and her faithfulness was possibly the most intriguing thing about her; which brought me to ask the question, "What was life like for Puritan women?"
http://www.annebradstreet.com/anne_bradstreet_bio_001.htm
Life was very harsh and unforgiving for Puritan women. They had little to no rights, and their opinions were not valued in the least. Most women were taught to read so that they could read the Bible, but few were taught to write because it was taught that women had no reason to write or be heard in any way. The women were expected to be subservient to their father, and then to their husband when they were married. Many women married at a very young age, and their father usually made the decision as to whom she would marry. It was common for girls to marry when they were fourteen to sixteen. No matter the age of a newly married woman, she was expected to know how to efficiently run a household while the husband was away. Most houses were small and roughly built, and didn't protect from the outside elements, but the wives had to work with what they were given.
http://www.historyofquilts.com/early_quilts.html
Women were always told that they were inferior to all men, and that women were more inclined to sin and error. Even though Puritan women were part of the movement for religious freedom when leaving England, the men still controlled virtually every aspect of the woman's life, from the house to the church, and from the cradle to the grave. As a result of these conditions, some women lived their lives in suffering and hopelessness. A woman's typical day would consist of spinning, sewing, preparing food, cleaning, preserving food, all while taking care of the children. Families tended to be huge, and women were pregnant for a good part of their lives. Child bearing was very dangerous, and many women died from that alone. During these times, many children didn't live until adulthood because of the poor diet and illness they experienced. http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/eighteen/ekeyinfo/erelwom.htm
Puritan women were not advised to take any roles in the political or religious life, no matter their social status or age. Since women were not permitted to speak their minds at home or in church, they often met with other wives and prayed together. In fact, surviving documents said that many women and daughters were linked to charitable works in the church, like helping those living in dire poverty. Since women's thoughts and feelings weren't valuable to the home or church elders, it is not surprising that they leaned on God to find their answers. There were so many blood, sweat, and tears shed by the Puritan women. Through all of the hard work and grief they experienced, they held it all together and put their faith in God, and it is amazing to me how they survived and contributed to their precious families! http://relijournal.com/christianity/puritan-women-work-and-religion/
Below is a link to an awesome video about how an entire Puritan household functioned during day to day life! : )
No comments:
Post a Comment