Gender or Ability?

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)