Anne Bradstreet was an American poet in the 17th century. Bradstreet wrote for her family; she wanted to teach about God and the values of living a pious life just as she had lived. Anne wrote many poems throughout her life. Most are based on her personal experiences and beliefs. Bradstreet's poetry exhibits one main common characteristic; a firm belief in God. Bradstreet was a devout Christian and expressed her faith in almost every poem she wrote. Her poetry is noteworthy in American literature because of her use of different tones, metaphors, and sarcasm to bring her poetry life, providing a vivid image through words of what she wanted her reader to know. .
Anne Bradstreet's poetry is full of different tones and moods. Her exceptionally happy marriage and some painful losses inspired much of the poetry she is best known for. Some of her works are especially positive while some are very mournful. For instance, Anne has written several positive poems about her love for her husband. In "To My Dear and Loving Husband", Anne is praising her husband and is grateful to be blessed with such a wonderful spouse. In Bradstreet's passage, "Thy mercies, Lord, have been so great, In number numberless, Impossible for to recount, Or Any Way Express," from the poem "In Thankful Remembrance for My Dear Husband's Safe Arrival Sept 3, 1662," Anne is expressing her eternal gratefulness to God for returning her dearest husband to her. In contrast, many more of Anne Bradstreet's poems have a solemn tone due to the loss of loved ones or of beloved things. Anne Bradstreet's poem, "Upon the Burning of our House, July 18th, 1666," expresses sorrow for the home and belongings she had lost. The poem's tone is not that of anger or hopelessness; however, she praises God instead because she is aware that God gave her those belongings and she knows He had his reasons for taking them away.