Today in class we discussed the makings of a great writer and whether social and/or gender-related issues play any part in canonizing authors. Well, this got me thinking.. We're obviously never going to come up with an answer ourselves because of our differing perceptions. And let's face it: the dead white men are dead. There is no way they can answer our questions now.
So what would Anne, herself, say? Would she think that her writing is studied avidly because of her gender, because she represented ideals that clashed with those of an average Puritan woman, or because she raised eight children and still managed to write poetry and love her husband? Or would she believe solely in the quality of her work? Keep in mind that Anne readily included feminist ideas in her writing, especially when idolizing female historical figures. Would she be satisfied to be grouped in this category? Or would she wish to go further and contend her own poetry with that of Bartas?
Anne Bradstreet never seemed to have asked for fame or recognition, for it was her brother-in-law, John Woodbridge, who secretly printed her material without her consent. This is just one thing to consider.
(Sam Maliha)
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During class, we were all questioning how these poems were chosen among the rest. We all had differing opinions about why Bradstreet's work was included and were not able to come up with a clear answer. I think that Bradstreet would just be as lost as we are. I think that she would hope that her poetry was chosen because its content, but would also consider the possibility that her poetry was chosen based on her gender. On the other hand, she could have been pessimistic towards the issue and automatically assume that it was due to her gender. Either way, we don't really know how she would react and can only assume, just like we do when we try to figure out why certain works get chosen and others do not.
I think Anne Bradstreet would have a very good idea of whether she deserved to be in the cannon because she most likely read poems by many of the poets of her time. Yes she would have a bias, but she would be able to make a better decision on the matter than we can because she at least has experience reading other writers of the time period.
As a side note, isn't it true that part of the requirements of the canon are to introduce students to a variety of works from the period? Anne Bradstreet's feminist ideals definitely make her unique, which may be a reason to qualify her to be in the cannon.
(Arvind Kalidindi)
I know that the works included in the Western canon are based on their influence in Western culture. Would Bradstreet then be included in the canon because of her influence? I can't say that the readings showed that she made impact on her own Puritan society, but it is possible that her work impacts our modern one. This is taken directly from Wikipedia:
"Such a canon is important to the theory of educational perennialism and the development of 'high culture'."
Where does the fine line between high and low culture lie? And who determines it? Ahhh, so many questions!
(Sam Maliha)
Well, if Anne Bradstreet were magically summoned from the past and asked this question, I suspect that she too would be unsure.
Bradstreet herself was uncertain whether she was a good poet because of or despite of her gender.
As I said in class, initially Bradstreet's efforts often attempted to imitate the more high-flown styles of male poets such as Taylor. It seemed as though she was purposely avoiding female-only subjects. But gradually, over time, she discovered her own voice, and began to write candidly and elegantly about personal experiences such as childbirth and other domestic activities.
As for avoiding fame, another notable poet who chose that route was Emily Dickinson. Even Kafka had wished to burn his works after his death. Fame can be a fickle master, and by avoiding it many artists might feel unfettered.
-Eric W.
This is quite an interesting question. Based on Anne's humility in her writing, it seems she would label her works as inadequate to be considered great. I think she would be quite surprised to see how our society has changed, and how the role of women has changed. In that sense, I think she would conclude that it is because she is a woman that her works acheived fame, merely because she does not see her works as high quality to begin with.
Emily T.
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