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The Prologue
Anne Bradstreet’s poem The Prologue strongly addresses the differing positions of men and women in a less equal society. The author proclaims the struggles of the existence of a woman in a Puritan society. The poet expresses strong feelings about the domination of male, with strong use of figurative language to highlight inequalities.
The Prologue’ message about male dominance is clear. For instance, Anne Bradstreet in this poem realizes that in such societies, women were prohibited from expressing strong feelings or speak out their opinions. Nonetheless, she also humbly admits her role as a woman in the community even though she does not entirely agree with. With this the poet expresses her recognition for male superiority by highlighting in the poem… e.g., “Men can do best, and women know it well…” (40). Nevertheless, the author did not agree with the cultural bias towards women in her society.
In The Prologue, there is substantial use of figurative language. The poem is full of symbolism, whereby most of the terms represents real inner meaning in society. War is one clear example of symbolism often universal in epic poetry… e.g., “To sing of wars, of captains, and kings…” (1). Also, the author highlights symbolism through the use of the pen, regarded as being mightier than the sword… e.g., “For my mean pen are too superior things…” (2).
The Author to Her Book
The Author to Her Book by Anne Bradstreet is another masterpiece of poetry with intense use of the figurative language. In this poem, the author uses the extended metaphor in the representation of a baby being born and cared for. The speaker expresses a complex attitude and by the use of the birth imagery, to demonstrate the low regards for her masterpiece and also expresses contradiction in her actions.
There is heavy use of the figurative language in The Author to Her Book. For instance, in the first lines of the work, this is evident… e.g., “Thou ill-informed offspring of my feeble brain…” In this line, the author compares the book she has written to unintelligent offspring. Also, the author utilizes personification… e.g., “My rambling brat (in print) should mother call…” (8). In this line, the speaker personifies the book as a rambling child.