Age of Reason/Revolutionary Period — APA
Anna Henson
Liberty University
ENGL 201—D03
Professor Robinson
April 24th, 2023
Introduction & Thesis
The majority of popular poetry from the Age of Reason and Revolutionary Periods are
authored by male figures, however, some literature from female authors in these eras is
overlooked because of the inequal gender roles of the period. Anne Bradstreet and Phillis
Wheatley both made significant contributions to American literature, despite facing gender and
racial discrimination in their respective times. However, while Bradstreet's work was more
focused on her personal experiences and emotions, Wheatley's work was more focused on
politics and religion. Both poets used their writing to challenge the oppressive forces of their
time and to call for greater recognition of the rights of women.
Anne Bradstreet: Background
Anne Bradstreet was raised in a Puritan home in England, with access to her
father’s extensive collection of literature. Literacy was very important to the Puritans, so Anne’s
education consisted of tutors at home and studying under her father (Queen, Edward L., II, et al.,
2023, p. 203). She spent time reading the works of classical authors such as Virgil, John Milton,
and Ovid. Her study of these classical poets influenced her work, though Bradstreet’s poetry
added a contemporary twist.
Anne Bradstreet suffered significant trials early in her life, some of which included being
in poor health often, seeing one of her children and two grandchildren die and losing her home
and possessions in a fire. In addition to this, the 17th century was a not-so-great time to be an
ambitious Puritan woman. Women in the Puritan colonies at this time were ostracized for using
their voices and some were even banished. Due to these restrictions, Anne Bradstreet composed
most of her poetry in secret. The topics of her work varied from her love for her husband and
children, the religious sentiments of Puritanism in the colonies, and her sentiments towards the
Phillis Wheatley: Background
view of women in her society. Her poetry was published unbeknownst to her at the hands of her
brother-in-law in a collection called The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America.
Anne Bradstreet: Poetic Works
Bradstreet has been considered the first feminist because of how she contradicts the
Puritan’s gender philosophy. The Prologue discusses how she wishes to be held equal in the
world of literature, a male-dominated field. She writes of how men find her obnoxious and that
they believe she would be of more use with a sewing needle in her hand rather than a pen:
I am obnoxious to each carping tongue
Who says my hand a needle better fits.
A Poet’s Pen all scorn I should thus wrong,
For such despite they cast on female wits.
If what I do prove well, it won’t advance,
They’ll say it’s stol’n, or else it was by chance.
Though Bradstreet voices her desire for women to be acknowledged when they succeed
at something, she also admits that women are well aware that men are ultimately the
predominant sex:
Men have precedency and still excel;
It is but vain unjustly to wage war.
Men can do best, and Women know it well.
Preeminence in all and each is yours;
Yet grant some small acknowledgement of ours.
Her works prove subversive and personal, an attempt to undermine the unacceptable
expectations for the female sex. Bradstreet is insistent that women can write and that their
publications should be acknowledged and noticed by the men who were hostile to the idea (Ford,
Sarah Gilbreath, 2017, p. 1,3).
Known as the first English-speaking person of African descent to ever publish a book,
Phillis Wheatley has become one of the most prominent historical and literary figures of her
time. She was born around 1753 in South Africa, as a free person. She was captured and
taken to Boston, where she was sold to John Wheatley in the early 1760s. Her experience as a
slave was unique—having recently lost a daughter, the Wheatley’s treated Phillis as their
own, some would say even as a replacement.
Like Anne Bradstreet, she was often frail and sick. Her condition provided her more
opportunities for the Wheatley’s to teach and encourage her to write (Gavins, Raymond,
2016, p. 298). She was tutored in Christianity as well, education that influenced her writing.
She was released from slavery in October 1775.
Phillis Wheatley: Poetic Works
Wheatley’s poems primarily focus on slavery and religion. Her book is titled Poems
on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. In To the Right Honourable William, Earl of
Dartmouth, Wheatley writes that her time in slavery contributed to her gratefulness for
freedom,
Should you, my lord, while you peruse my song,
Wonder from whence my love of Freedom sprung,
Whence flow these wishes for the common good,
By feeling hearts alone best understood,
I, young in life, by seeming cruel fate
Was snatch’d from Afric’s fancy’d happy seat:
What pangs excruciating must molest,
What sorrows labour in my parent’s breast?
Steel’d was that soul and by no misery mov’d
Unlike Bradstreet, Wheatley did not have to write her literary works in private but
most credit for her education and opportunity are due to the Wheatley family. George
Whitefield became one of Wheatley’s most influential inspirations after she heard him preach
as a young girl. Upon his death, she penned a eulogy for him, published aa On the Death of
George Whitefield, highlighting his influence on her and his care towards Black slaves.
Be your complaints in his kind bosom laid:
Take HIM ye Africans, he longs for you;
Impartial SAVIOUR, is his title due;
If you will chuse to walk in grace’s road,
You shall be sons, and kings, and priests to GOD.
When his AMERICANs were burden’d sore,
When streets were crimson’d with their guiltless gore!
Unrival’d friendship in his breast now strove:
The fruit thereof was charity and love.
Phillis Wheatley set the precedent for black women to do the things that they weren’t
expected to do. She became a critical literary figure to men and women, free and enslaved,
Even modern rap music reflects some of the influences Wheatley still has on today’s culture.
Conclusion
Both Anne Bradstreet and Phillis Wheatley made major contributions to women in
literature in their respective times, their influences affecting even today’s society. Although both
of their lives were somewhat tragic, they overcame the adversity that they faced and used their
literary talents to produce something beautiful. They are both fantastic role models for women
worldwide, regardless of race. Through their poetry, much can be learned from their differing
perspectives on American history.
Bibliography
Ford, S. G. (2017). Bradstreet, Anne (1612—1672). In J. Parini (Ed.), American Writers,
Retrospective Supplement 3 (pp. 1-15). Charles Scribner's Sons.
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3652300009/GVRL?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-
GVRL&xid=9ea21652
Gavins, R. (2016). Wheatley, Phillis. In The Cambridge Guide to African American History (pp.
297-298). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
doi:10.1017/CBO9781316216453.309
Queen, E. L., II, Prothero, S. R., & Shattuck, G. H., Jr. (2009). Facts on File Library of
American History. Encyclopedia of American Religious History (3rd ed.). Facts on File.
https://link.gale.com/apps/pub/3IQI/GVRL?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-GVRL
