Puritan Women: Anne Bradstreet and Mary Rowlandson

Puritanism is a cultural foundation of America, and while it has certainly lost its relevancy in modernity, the fundamental ideals of puritanical living occasionally seep through into contemporary society (Smith). While Puritanism may have once asked the question of balancing liberty with the governmental authority, it now begs the question of an idealized God-given freedom that is contradictory considering the inherent secularity of humankind being liberated to such a degree. It lends itself well to political and social right-wing radicalism because puritanism itself is so deeply steeped in the cultural normalization of its time. Thus, progressive notions such as the separation of church and state arise are typically eschewed. Puritan women, especially those who were educated, defied these expectations by the virtue of expressing their views in a time when such a declaration was actively discouraged. Specifically, Puritan women Anne Bradstreet and Mary Rowlandson acknowledged their traditional roles, but they were also vocal in their beliefs as is evident in their writings.

Anne Bradstreet was such a woman who had the courage to challenge the norms of Puritan society through subterfuge in her literature. This was an inevitability to avoid incredibly harsh persecution and ostracism though Bradstreet employed her writing in a way that criticized the social ideals of Puritan society as if it were an apology (Woodlief). Since Bradstreet was the exception rather than the norm, it is possible that Puritan men and women had much in common insofar as their cultural belief since women were probably denied the majority of an extensive education and did not recognize the importance of their tasks. However, it appears Bradstreet found her domesticity to be an authoritative role. In her poem “In Honour of that high and Mighty Princess, Queen Elizabeth” Bradstreet demonstrates some early trappings of feminist ideology. It is apparent as the speaker subtly decries the thought to “say our sex is devoid of reason / know ‘tis a slander now, but once was treason” (Bradstreet 2.81-82). Without the education to understand the high value of homemaking, the position implied by domesticity implies submissiveness. In addition, Bradstreet’s use of the word “reason” (Bradstreet 2.81) also reveals she embraced the notion of free will.

Mary Rowlandson’s gratitude for God clearly demonstrates her faith. Rowlandson, similarly to Bradstreet, challenges the conventions of the era by publishing the traumatic experience of her kidnapping and when “came the Indians with great numbers upon Lancaster” (para. 2). Despite this, Rowlandson was less subversive in her writing compared to Bradstreet who seemed prepared to doubt integral facets of Puritan culture such as its patriarchal, male-focused society and even question their interpretation of God. Rowlandson, due to her experience, seemed wholly committed to her belief and unconcerned with the status quo beyond sharing her experience. The Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson could easily be used as a tool for nationalist, if not outright chauvinistic, propaganda since it conveniently mirrored colonial views of the Native Americans insofar that they were barbarous. However, Rowlandson comes to believe that any society, including her own, can abuse others. In this knowledge, Rowlandson’s faith in God grows.

Overall, Bradstreet’s and Rowlandson’s writings explored God’s grace and its positive force in spite of challenges. While Puritans equated free will to God’s providence, a woman’s liberty was likely tied to her husbands. Consequently, it appears that Bradstreet and Rowlandson were ahead of their times because they accepted liberty and God’s will on their own terms.

Works Cited

Bradstreet, Anne. "In Honour of That High and Mighty Princess, Queen Elizabeth." Representative Poetry Online. University of Toronto Press, n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.

Rowlandson, Mary W. "Captivity and Restoration." Project Gutenberg's Captivity and Restoration. Gutenberg.org, 3 Nov. 2009. Web. 12 Feb. 2014.

Smith, Nicole. "Puritan Influences on Modern American Culture and Thought." ArticleMyriad. ArticleMyriad, 7 Dec. 2011. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.

Woodlief, Ann. "Study Texts on Anne Bradstreet's Poetry." Anne Bradstreet Study Materials. Virginia Commonwealth University, n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.