To My Dear And Loving Husband

– Interpretation Essay, Research Paper

Literature, unlike a more exacting subject such as math, is open to several

interpretations. There are no right or wrong answers – - just varying theories. The poem “To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet is such a case. The poem is interpreted differently by different people, however two theories appear most evident. On a literal level there is a sincere meaning found in the poem. There is suitable evidence that support Bradstreet’s sincere love, such as metaphors used, in addition to several lines in

the poem. As the reader goes deeper into the meaning of the poem he will realize there is more to the poem than the apparent. The poem tends to take on an ironic insight to the situation and there are indications that Bradstreet was trying to depict a different message to her husband. The justification for this ironic interpretation comes from the era in which the poem was written, the belief system of Puritans, metaphors used by Bradstreet, and many lines in the poem. This remarkable poem can be interpreted solely on the surface

level, however a deeper understanding may be evident after careful analysis of the hidden meaning.

When Bradstreet’s poem is interpreted only on the surface level, a very literal meaning of her love comes across. It is inferred that she was writing a sincere love poem to her husband. After reading the poem, the reader will have an initial impression that Bradstreet thinks that the love she shared with her husband was bigger than life itself. The general perception from the initial reading is that Bradstreet values her love greatly. An example of this significance occurs in the opening of the poem when she writes “If ever two were one, then surely we.” (Line one) This line conveys to the reader that Bradstreet feels that she and her spouse are a team – - what happens to one, will happen to the other. Another thing Bradstreet did in this line was put herself and her husband on equal terms. Both ideas, that the husband and wife were a team and that they were equal, were not acceptable in Bradstreet’s Puritan Society. Bradstreet was a devoted Puritan, (Department of English – University of Toronto, 1997) so when she went against her beliefs to write

this poem, she was taking a great risk. This risk showed that she really did love her husband. In fact she loved him enough to jeopardize herself to express these feelings. Another detail in the poem that supports this abiding love is the rhyming throughout the poem. This rhyming indicates the their love is ideal, because this arrangement has nice tone, and it flows well. Further demonstration of her love in the image of its value. Bradstreet writes “Or all the riches that the East doth hold” (Line six) referring to the East Indies, where there was an abundance of riches (gold, jewels) believed to be there. This land was looked at with awe, and Bradstreet wanted others to look at her relationship with amazement as well. Bradstreet wrote this poem to other women, as well as her husband. “Compare with me, ye women, if you can.” (Line Four) She wanted other women to look at her relationship and be jealous for what she had, and she wanted other women to compare themselves to her so they would look at her in awe just as they looked at the east. In the end of Bradstreet’s poem “Then while we live, in love let’s so pers ver / That

when we live no more, we may live ever” (Lines 11-12) she encourages her husband to continue on with their love, so when they die God will reward them with eternal life and love. This idea was a firm belief by Puritans in the era. Furthermore Bradstreet writes “I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold”. (Line five) This means that she considers her husband not to be a possession, such as gold, which shows that she truly cares about him. Bradstreet also writes how her love for her husband could never run out. “My love is such that rivers cannot quench” (Line seven) This quote portrays the idea that their love is everlasting, as well as it says that her love is so strong that nothing could change her feelings. The final evidence of the sincerity of her vow of love is the fact that the first three lines:

“If ever two were one, then surely we.

If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;

If ever wife was happy in a man,” (Lines 1-3)

have appeared on an oath that some Puritan women recite upon marriage. This vow

connects the sincerity of her own love to the Puritan values. The surface interpretation leaves the reader to conclude that Bradstreet’s poem was an honest and sincere portrayal of her love.

However with careful and in depth analysis, a deeper interpretation is found. This interpretation of “To My Dear and Loving Husband” is quite ironic, because a totally different message is conveyed from the obvious when the poem in re-read and analyzed. The impression that Bradstreet leaves is that it is not a true love at all that she shares with her husband. There seems to a hidden sarcasm in the poem. In some instances in this poem the passion seems to be forced, and the sincerity of the poem is questioned by the reader. An explanation for this lack of passion and sincerity may be due to the time era in

which the poem was written, and the role of women in a Puritan society. During this era, and in Bradstreet’s society, women