Anne Bradstreet's "The Author to Her Book"

Question

The Author To Her Book

Thou ill-formed offspring of my feeble brain,
Who after birth did'st by my side remain,
Till snatcht from thence by friends, less wise than true,
Who thee abroad exposed to public view,
Made thee in rags, halting to th' press to trudge,
Where errors were not lessened (all may judge).
At thy return my blushing was not small,
My rambling brat (in print) should mother call.
I cast thee by as one unfit for light,
The visage was so irksome in my sight,
Yet being mine own, at length affection would
Thy blemishes amend, if so I could.
I washed thy face, but more defects I saw,
And rubbing off a spot, still made a flaw.
I stretcht thy joints to make thee even feet,
Yet still thou run'st more hobbling than is meet.
In better dress to trim thee was my mind,
But nought save home-spun cloth, i' th' house I find.
In this array, 'mongst vulgars may'st thou roam.
In critic's hands, beware thou dost not come,
And take thy way where yet thou art not known.
If for thy father askt, say, thou hadst none;
And for thy mother, she alas is poor,
Which caused her thus to send thee out of door.

I have been analyzing this poem, but have had trouble with a question.
What asumptions about poetry does the poem take for granted?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

.
If you have been analyzing this poem, what have you discovered so far?

What do you think poetry is, and what things does she mention that match your ideas of what poetry is?
.

Anonymous · Answer

I've found that Bradstreet writes this poem to express her feelings of pride and shame.

I'm thinking that the assumption she makes is that people view poetry as a mthod of expressing
feelings and emotions, but Bradstreet feels that rather than doing that, poetry brings embarssment and shame.

I wrote an essay about this a few week ago, and today I received it back and it seems that
these assumptions are wrong.

Mister Micawber · Answer

.
Yes, I agree that 'embarrassment and shame' is not the focus or intent of this piece, though the author obviously feels some of both. Think instead of why she feels that way.

What is her basic metaphor for her book? To what is she comparing authorship? That might help you see her point.

Still, that may be peripheral to the question you must answer: What assumptions about poetry does the poem take for granted? What does the poem say about poetry? Extract some specific phrases.
.

Anonymous · Answer

Well, my interpretations were that she exhibits these feelings as her poetry was "snatcht from thence by friends" and
published without her authorization or consent. The citicism of her poems brings shame. She tries to polish and refine her poems, but
by doing so, she only uncovered more flaws.

The metaphor Bradstreet uses is the bond between a mother and her child and using this relationship to describe her feelings.
She sees her poems as a product of her creativity and intellect; therefore seeing it as her "child".

From this, I would say that the poem says that poetry is imperfect. Although poet's may have to desire to continuously revise and
refine their poems, it will reach a stage where all is perfect. Instead poet's should be proud of their work regardless of criticism.

Mister Micawber · Answer

.
Yes, a child. That is one thing that the poem assumes: poems are like children. And you have found another, applicable to both poems and children-- neither is perfect. Those may be enough assumptions to answer your assigned question, or you can pursue more in the same vein-- what other qualities mentioned are similar for offspring and outpourings?

Good luck.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for your help Mister Micawber! I appreciate it.

Anonymous · Answer

She presents many flaws in her poem which seem to contradict herself. she assumes that by 'giving' her child away she will receive money in return of her 'creation'.

Anonymous · Answer

AnonymousThe Author To Her BookThou ill-formed offspring of my feeble brain,Who after birth did'st by my side remain,Till snatcht from thence by friends, less wise than true,Who thee abroad exposed to public view,Made thee in rags, halting to th' press to trudge,Where errors were not lessened (all may judge).At thy return my blushing was not small,My rambling brat (in print) should mother call.I cast thee by as one unfit for light,The visage was so irksome in my sight,Yet being mine own, at length affection wouldThy blemishes amend, if so I could.I washed thy face, but more defects I saw,And rubbing off a spot, still made a flaw.I stretcht thy joints to make thee even feet,Yet still thou run'st more hobbling than is meet.In better dress to trim thee was my mind,But nought save home-spun cloth, i' th' house I find.In this array, 'mongst vulgars may'st thou roam.In critic's hands, beware thou dost not come,And take thy way where yet thou art not known.If for thy father askt, say, thou hadst none;And for thy mother, she alas is poor,Which caused her thus to send thee out of door.I have been analyzing this poem, but have had trouble with a question.What asumptions about poetry does the poem take for granted?Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Anne Bradstreet's "The Author to Her Book"

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