Topic > Anne Bradstreet: Struggles and Beliefs of the Puritan Faith

As evidenced by the selected poems, Anne's firm belief in religion is key to creating the backdrop for her poetic publications. This is similar to Puritan religious beliefs, which were also published during the era. From several literacy jobs, Anne Bradstreet was struggling with her Puritan faith conviction. As a child, she went through many painful circumstances which led her to become an influential writer during her time. Since the writing was not considered to be a suitable character for women at the time, it was usually met with disapproval. He proves that he can conquer in the world of writing, just like any other famous writer like John Winthrop. Bradstreet continued to compose poetry and other works which have led to the belief that she was involved in protest against the social standards of her time. This work will identify some of her struggles and how she explained herself through poetry. The Puritan faith will also be discussed with reference to the work of John Winthrop and William Bradford and how both of these texts played a huge role in the Puritan theme. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Regarding his poem “Following Some Lines About the Burning of Our House,” he defines his response to coming around at night and running away from his house as it was on fire (Bradstreet 243). In the later part of the verse, Bradstreet struggles with worldly goods. However, it ultimately solves this problem. She could not grieve the loss of her home because God has formed a future home for her in Heaven. He holds on to his belief and turns this terrible ordeal into a calming sensation. Bradstreet makes it clear that she was not interested in the perspective on the probability of a disaster since she was asleep. When he wakes up, he hears the sound of fire and realizes the bright light everywhere. Her immediate reaction is to ask God to provide her with the power to devour this experience. He runs away from home in a hurry and sees that the fire is devouring his house. After she cannot bear to stare at her house, she exults in God and declares that it is a give and take that he brought her home because the house was truly God's property and not hers (Bradstreet, line 17). Bradstreet, later, recounts how, after the fire, he often came across his house and remembered wherever his things were placed. Later, she begins to blame herself for focusing on worldly possessions, which can be damaged so easily. She is advised to increase her feelings towards heaven as an alternative and anticipates the house that God has built for her. Therefore, in this state of mind, he could say goodbye to his earthly possessions. Even as Bradstreet grieves the loss of her possessions, she maintains the constant mindset that God will give her even more sacred possessions when that time comes. In reference to Bradstreet's other work, "The Flesh and the Spirit" (Bradstreet 233), it is a figurative poem that speaks of the mortal spirit and the physical body. “The Spirit” and “The Flesh” are incarnate and should be sisters. The discussion between them brings forward the thought of structures and what the spirit and the flesh are made up of. The poem is set in a time when Puritans find themselves in a position where misguided physical desire is debated over that of the soul's highest preference. The battle regarding the two bases of mortal survival, "Spirit" and "Flesh", is depicted in verse clearly. Poetry glorifies the Spirit and conquers the Flesh. Bradstreet describes a struggle regarding the "Spirit" and the "Flesh" as two sisters. While suppressing the flesh and elevating the spirit, it attempts to describethat the spirit offers us a desire for pleasure of greater importance than that of bodily desire. Sumodo for Lacrim (tears), the author hears the two sisters arguing. The flesh asks the Spirit why it lives by "meditation" (Bradstreet, lines 9-10), and whether thought and assumption can satisfy awareness or private concept of certainties. He asks his sister if she contemplates what is outside the moon and wants to show her some wisdom, making her understand that matter is dishonor in diversity. Therefore, he says: "Can speculation satisfy the notion without reality?" (Bradstreet, lines 13-14). This relates to issues that Puritans can relate to. Sometimes our earthly desires are the destruction of our humanity and what remains of our spirit will be in the hands of God. Anne Bradstreet's faith is further described in her other poem, "For Deliverance from a Fever" (Bradstreet 243) . The verse begins with Bradstreet recounting his pain. His body is drenched in sweat and boiling hot (Bradstreet, line 5). She is distressed by the cause of the traumatic episode and is filled with mental distress, while her head hurts. He is in a lot of pain and is unable to assume a relaxed body posture. His anguish corresponds to his physical agony. He is going through too much chaos in his soul. Therefore, she worries that God is displeased with her as she is unable to find further confirmation of his kindness or help in healing. She snaps into the reality of her faith in God's power and test of endurance, asking him to show her his form and protect her spirit from the fire when she dies. God recognizes his nature and is undoubtedly challenging his strong point. He asks for his compassion and wants him to reconcile his spirit. He understands in case his form ends up in the earth. Eventually he will go into his presence. In her troubled form, she requests God, asking him to reveal himself to her. She claims that only he identifies the right issues of his nature. He understands that in the event that his body was unable to repair itself, then his spirit would justify being protected. In the event that his physical form is reduced to dust, his spirit must be brought before God and into His righteousness. This type of supposed course would have been encouraging to the Puritans as they assume that their pain in this world was planned to bring them closer to God and change their emphasis on eternal life. The struggles and faith of a Puritan faith are further demonstrated in “A Model of Christian Charity” (Winthrop 178). Winthrop begins his sermon by explaining that Almighty God, in his greatest divine and intelligent anticipation, was very prone to the disorder of human beings. Because of the need of some to be rich, others to be poor, some great and distinguished by their influence and self-respect, while others rude and dominant. Next he mentions the reasons why God created people so that had different situations from each other. He then goes on to clarify the two main rules that must administer all relationships within a public. These two rules include mercy and justice. He argues that mercy and justice must be implemented equally by the poor and the rich; this is because the poor and the rich need it. Each must fulfill to bring the world to equality and balance. He concludes that these two guidelines constitute a prevailing law according to which human beings are required to love others based on the way they love themselves. William Bradford's work, "Of Plymouth Plantation", A theme in this manuscript is to appreciate God for what He has blessed us with. There are many explanations in which he shows this impression. An example is when they reached a port. 178-189.