Bradstreet Among the Moderns: Comparing Visions of Love Emily Ashenden 12th Grade

In 'A Letter to Her Husband, Absent Upon Public Employment' by Anne Bradstreet and 'Love Poem' by John Frederick Nims, there are three possible ideas that could be gleaned from the texts. Such ideas could be the power of love overcoming faults and distance, marriage, and thoughts of death. Within Bradstreet’s poem, there is an autobiographical outlook that explores the feeling of loss when a married couple is separated, whereas Nim’s autobiographical viewpoint alternates between humorously expressed criticisms and appreciated virtues. Bradstreet’s poem was published during the 17th century, when she had emigrated to America with her husband and parents. The term metaphysical can be applied to poets who wrote in the 17th century due to intellectual ingenuity and literary allusion. Such intellectual ingenuity can be seen in Bradstreet’s poem, as she uses metaphors of astrology and nature to support her genuine devotion towards her husband. It should also be noted that while there were female writers during the 17th century, it was uncommon for a woman poet to be published. Unlike Bradstreet’s work, Nim’s poem was written during the post-modernist epoch. Therefore, a contemporary assessment might note that the humorous aspect of...