Anne Bradstreet, a female poet who was pushed the societal boundaries set fourth, and struggled to redefine her place within them. Through the writing of her poetry Bradstreet challenges the ideologies of the Puritanical society by being a female yet writing and publishing her own works. Not only does she present a challenge simply because she is writing, but also the substance that which she writes about presents tensions. With two specific examples coming from her works "The Prologue", and The "Author to Her book". Clearly tradition was saying one thing, but Bradstreet was indeed stepping out of the norms that were expected of her and challenging the Puritanical ideals. .
William Sheick states that the Puritan tradition was that, "Biblically, theologically, ecclesiastically, socially, and familial, women were the second and weaker sex" (Scheick 167). This is evident throughout writings of the Puritanical times. Nearly all writings were done by men, and for men. Men where the masters, the teachers, the preachers, the magistrates and the clerks. A woman's place was in the home, being a good mother and a devote wife.
Writing was male dominated in the Puritan society. It was believed to be something that was much more specialized and was only for those who needed it in their vocation. Learning to write was an aspect of life that was limited by the occupation that one participated in. Consequently writing became something that was reserved for the men due to the occupations that they held. Women were not allowed to hold these occupations and in turn were not taught how to write. The woman that could write had often received no formal education but had been taught at home. Their writings would consist of journaling, spiritual records, letters, common place books, prayers, songs, and poetry" (Cowell 105). But all of these areas of writing were intended for personal use.
The writing and publishing of Anne Bradstreet created and endless problem, because it was considered to be completely prohibited, and reserved for only men.
