The Prologue by Anne Bradstreet
To sing of Wars, of Captains, and of Kings,
Of Cities founded, Common-wealths begun,
For my mean Pen are too superior things;
Or how they all, or each their dates have run,
Let Poets and Historians set these forth.
My obscure lines shall not so dim their worth.(scribd.com, poetryfoundation.org)
But when my wond’ring eyes and envious heart
Great Bartas’ sugar’d lines do but read o’er,
Fool, I do grudge the Muses did not part
’Twixt him and me that over-fluent store.
A Bartas can do what a Bartas will
But simple I according to my skill.
From School-boy’s tongue no Rhet’ric we expect,
Nor yet a sweet Consort from broken strings,
Nor perfect beauty where’s a main defect.
My foolish, broken, blemished Muse so sings,
And this to mend, alas, no Art is able,
’Cause Nature made it so irreparable.
Nor can I, like that fluent sweet-tongued Greek
Who lisp’d at first, in future times speak plain.
By Art he gladly found what he did seek,
A full requital of his striving pain.
Art can do much, but this maxim’s most sure:
A weak or wounded brain admits no cure.
I am obnoxious to each carping tongue
Who says my hand a needle better fits.
A Poet’s pen all scorn I should thus wrong,
For such despite they cast on female wits:
If what I do prove well, it won’t advance,
They’ll say it’s stol’n, or else it was by chance.
But sure the Antique Greeks were far more mild,
Else of our Sexe why feigned they those Nine
And poesy made Calliope’s own child?
So ‘mongst the rest they placed the Arts divine,
But this weak knot they will full soon untie.
The Greeks did nought but play the fools and lie.
Let Greeks be Greeks, and Women what they are.
Men have precedency and still excel.
It is but vain unjustly to wage war.
Men can do best, and Women know it well.
Preeminence in all and each is yours;
Yet grant some small acknowledgement of ours.
And oh ye high flown quills that soar the skies,
And ever with your prey still catch your praise,
If e’er you deign these lowly lines your eyes,
Give thyme or Parsley wreath, I ask no Bays.
This mean and unrefined ore of mine
Will make your glist’ring gold but more to shine.
Summary of The Prologue by Anne Bradstreet
The Prologue by Anne Bradstreet is a thoughtful poem. It subtly criticizes the limits placed on women writers during the Puritan era. Written in the 17th century, this poem is bold yet carefully made. It speaks about gender inequality, creative ambition, and literary recognition. Bradstreet was one of the first published female poets in colonial America. In The Prologue, she acknowledges the dominant literary culture of her time. She also argues for a place within it for women writers.
From the start, Bradstreet uses a humble tone. She says her poetic skills are not enough to write about grand themes. These themes include war, empire, and conquest—topics for male poets. However, this self-deprecation is not low self-esteem. It is a strategic choice. Bradstreet subtly challenges the idea that women lack intellectual ability. Calling her pen “mean” and her work unfit for serious stories helps reveal bias without direct attack.
In the next stanzas, Bradstreet focuses on male poets of her time, especially Guillaume du Bartas, whom she admired. She praises their eloquence and achievements. But her admiration is complex. By comparing her work to theirs while claiming inferiority, she questions that idea. Her tone grows firmer as she highlights cultural views. These views say a woman’s success is due to luck, copying, or accident, not true talent.
The irony grows when she uses classical references. She calls on the Muses—female figures from Greek myths who inspire art and poetry. Their legacy shows women have always belonged in the creative world. Bradstreet reminds readers that women were important in ancient intellectual and artistic life. This allusion makes her case for including women’s voices in literature stronger.
Midway through the poem, Bradstreet addresses an age-old prejudice: the idea that women should be silent in intellectual discourse. She cleverly uses wit to address male anxieties about women encroaching on their domain. She proposes that women be allowed to write without the need to compete directly with men. Her tone here is both conciliatory and provocative. She isn’t demanding equality in the combative sense; rather, she’s asking for the freedom to contribute without being dismissed. Her strategy is careful but subversive: she does not reject male greatness, but she seeks acknowledgment for female effort.
As the poem draws to a close, Bradstreet continues to advocate for modest recognition. She doesn’t claim to outshine her male counterparts, but she does request a place among them. In doing so, she reflects the limited opportunities women had to express themselves publicly at the time. Her plea is simple: let her verses be read not as threats to male dominance, but as complementary to them—enhancing, rather than diminishing, the literary tradition.
Bradstreet ends The Prologue by directly addressing her critics. She anticipates the harsh judgments and patronizing remarks that might follow the publication of her work. Still, she persists in making her case. Her final tone is one of quiet strength. She neither apologizes for her ambition nor bows to the expectations that seek to silence her. Instead, she reaffirms the value of her voice and gently insists that women have the right to speak and be heard.
On the surface, The Prologue might appear to be an unassuming poem filled with modesty and self-doubt. However, its deeper layers reveal a poet who is both self-aware and bold. Bradstreet uses irony, classical allusion, and rhetorical restraint to critique gender norms without defying them outright. Her careful language reflects the constraints of her time, yet her message is unmistakable: women are intellectually capable, artistically gifted, and deserving of a place in the literary canon.
Through this work, Bradstreet not only comments on her personal struggles as a female poet but also paves the way for future generations of women writers. She transforms her limitations into a compelling poetic statement and invites readers—both men and women—to reconsider the boundaries of literary authority. In doing so, she secures her own place in the history of American literature and asserts the lasting power of the female voice
Critical Appreciation of The Prologue by Anne Bradstreet
The Prologue by Anne Bradstreet holds a significant place in early American literature as one of the first poems published by a woman in the New World. Written in the 17th century, the poem stands out not only for its literary quality but also for its nuanced exploration of the role of women writers during a time when female voices were largely marginalized. Bradstreet’s poem is a remarkable combination of poetic craftsmanship and social critique. Through it, she both embraces and questions the cultural restrictions placed upon women, making the poem a quietly revolutionary work that continues to resonate centuries later.
Bradstreet shows strong skill in poetic form. The poem uses iambic pentameter, a rhythm like natural speech. She keeps a steady rhyme scheme, making the poem musical and equal to her male peers. This control supports her deeper themes. Her command of poetry lets her discuss gender and creativity with authority.
The tone mixes modesty and quiet defiance. At first, Bradstreet acts humble, denying grand talent or epic themes. This was common for women writers to avoid seeming proud. Yet, her humility hides a sharp critique of gender bias. By downplaying her skills, she reveals how low society’s expectations were for women. This mix of modesty and irony makes readers question who can write and what they can write about.
A notable aspect of the poem is Bradstreet’s engagement with classical literary traditions. She references the Muses, those goddesses of inspiration in ancient Greek mythology, as well as established male poets of her era, such as Guillaume du Bartas. These allusions serve multiple purposes. First, they demonstrate Bradstreet’s extensive education and literary knowledge, qualities that were often denied to women. Second, they position women within a broader historical and cultural context of artistic creation, challenging the idea that intellectual and creative pursuits are exclusively male domains. By linking herself and other women to these revered traditions, Bradstreet asserts that female creativity is neither new nor unnatural. Instead, it has roots as deep and venerable as those of their male counterparts.
Throughout the poem, Bradstreet highlights the social constraints imposed on women writers, articulating the tension between her personal passion for writing and the external pressures to conform to gender roles. She acknowledges that women are often discouraged from intellectual labor and that their works are frequently dismissed or attributed to chance or imitation. This candid acknowledgment reveals the difficulties she faced as a woman eager to engage in literary expression. The poem captures her resilience in the face of these barriers, making it not only a personal statement but also a collective voice for women who struggled to be heard.
Bradstreet’s plea for recognition is notable for its tone of measured respect rather than outright confrontation. She does not demand equality or seek to overthrow the male literary tradition. Instead, she asks for modest acknowledgment of women’s talents and contributions. This reflects a proto-feminist attitude that advocates for women’s rights within the existing social framework, rather than rejecting it entirely. Her request is for inclusion, not dominance, emphasizing the value of women’s voices as complementary to, rather than competitive with, men’s. This stance makes the poem a delicate balancing act between self-assertion and social diplomacy.
The poem’s conclusion reinforces this plea for acceptance. Bradstreet directly addresses her male readers, requesting that they not dismiss her work simply because she is a woman. She hopes that her verses may be read with an open mind and that her voice may be permitted to enrich the literary conversation. This final appeal is both humble and powerful, encapsulating the poem’s central theme: the struggle for female writers to claim their rightful place in the world of letters.
The Prologue is more than a mere expression of personal doubt or modesty. It is a thoughtful meditation on gender, creativity, and cultural norms. Bradstreet’s careful use of irony and classical references allows her to critique the limitations imposed on women without overt defiance, which would have been risky during her time. Instead, her subtle subversion reveals the strength of her intellect and the depth of her commitment to her art.
In a broader historical context, the poem stands as a pioneering work in American literature. Bradstreet’s voice represents the beginnings of a distinctly American poetic tradition that includes the experiences and perspectives of women. She challenges the rigid boundaries of her society by insisting that women have the capacity for literary greatness. Her legacy is not only in her poetry but also in her courage to write and publish at all.
Modern readers can appreciate The Prologue for its blend of formal elegance and social relevance. Bradstreet’s exploration of the challenges faced by women writers remains relevant today, as discussions about gender and representation in literature continue. Her work invites ongoing reflection on who gets to tell stories and how societal attitudes shape those stories.
In conclusion, The Prologue by Anne Bradstreet is a masterful poem that combines poetic excellence with a profound social message. It captures the complexity of a woman asserting her intellectual identity within a restrictive society. Bradstreet’s skillful use of form, tone, and allusion makes this poem a timeless contribution to literature. It not only honors the struggles of early women writers but also inspires future generations to continue the pursuit of literary equality.
Nathaniel Hawthorne and American Literature: https://americanlit.englishlitnotes.com/nathaniel-hawthorne-and-american-literature/
Application for Remission of Fine: https://englishwithnaeemullahbutt.com/2025/05/20/application-remission-of-fine/
Use of Pronoun after Than: https://grammarpuzzlesolved.englishlitnotes.com/grammar-puzzles-solved-15-is-it-correct-to-say-he-is-better-than-me-or-he-is-better-than-i/
Structure and Style in The Legend of Good Women: https://englishlitnotes.com/2025/05/21/structure-style/