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Anne Bradstreet’s now famous poem “Prologue” was written as a preface to her 1650 collection of poetry, which was notable for being the first book of poetry published by an American, male or female. It is the only collection that Bradstreet produced; a revised volume was published with additional poems in 1678.
As one can see from the collection’s full title—The Tenth Muse, lately Sprung up in America, or Several Poems Compiled with Great Variety of Wit and Learning, Full of Delight, Wherein especially is Contained a Complete Discourse and Description of the Four Elements, Constitutions, Ages of Man, Seasons of the Year, together with an exact Epitome of the Four Monarchies, viz., The Assyrian, Persian, Grecian, Roman, Also a Dialogue between Old England and New, concerning the late troubles. With divers other pleasant and serious Poems, By a Gentlewoman in those parts—Bradstreet’s subjects varied from science and history to domestic life, love, and motherhood.
“Prologue,” which is autobiographical, shows the conflict between Bradstreet’s status as a Puritan woman and her aspirations to create worthwhile poetry. Its female speaker, while claiming to uphold and cede to the superiority of male writers, asserts the importance of female expression.
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By Anne Bradstreet