Questions and Answers
What does the poem focus on?
Discrimination towards women
What is the following line an example of: 'To sing of Wars, of Captains, and of Kings, Of Cities founded, Common-wealths begun, For my mean Pen are too superior things;'?
Sarcasm/Irony and Symbol
What is the following line an example of: 'Let Poets and Historians set these forth. My obscure lines shall not so dim their worth.'?
Sarcasm/Irony
What are some literary devices in this stanza: 'But when my wond'ring eyes and envious heart Great Bartas' sugar'd lines do but read o'er, Fool, I do grudge the Muses did not part.'?
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What are these lines examples of: 'From School-boy's tongue no Rhet'ric we expect, Nor yet a sweet Consort from broken strings, Nor perfect beauty where's a main defect.'?
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What is Bradstreet trying to say in: 'My foolish, broken, blemished Muse so sings, And this to mend, alas, no Art is able, Cause Nature made it so irreparable.'?
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Study Notes
Woman's Perspective in Literature
- The poem addresses the discrimination faced by women, particularly in literary fields.
- Bradstreet highlights her struggle to be recognized as a legitimate poet due to her gender.
Sarcasm and Irony in Expression
- The opening lines use sarcasm to emphasize the societal belief that significant subjects, like wars and leadership, are beyond a woman's scope.
- Referring to her "Pen" symbolizes her identity and abilities as a writer, contrasting male-dominated themes.
Recognition and Value of Poetry
- The statement about poets and historians illustrates irony; Bradstreet acknowledges her own poetry while feeling it lacks the merit attributed to male counterparts.
- She expresses an internal conflict as a female poet who is not fully accepted in the literary canon.
Literary Devices Utilized
- An allusion to Guillaume du Bartas, a male poet, reflects the competitive landscape among poets, showing women's exclusion from recognition.
- The mention of Muses serves to underscore the traditional perception of women’s roles in literature versus their actual capacity as writers.
Use of Analogies
- Comparisons in the lines about school boys and broken strings highlight the expectations of perfection and beauty in literature versus the reality of flaws and imperfections.
Nature and Limitations of Skill
- Bradstreet conveys the belief that women are inherently unskilled in writing, suggesting that societal norms limit their literary capabilities.
- The stanza reflects a resignation to natural limitations, framing women's literary expressions as flawed and irreparable by societal standards.
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Description
Explore key concepts from Anne Bradstreet's Prologue through these informative flashcards. Test your knowledge on themes such as discrimination towards women and understand literary devices used in her poetry. Ideal for students studying 17th-century literature and women's contributions to poetry.
