Introduction
The depiction of masculinity and femininity in American literature shows how American culture, its excellent and destructive norms, and societal expectations intersect and ultimately influence how writers from different periods perceive their art and comprehend the world. In this article, I analyze the influence of gender roles in the literature written by Anne Bradstreet and Hannah Webster Foster, where “The Coquette” is the novel’s title. We seek to bring to light in common how both authors came to victory over and challenged dominant gender concepts of these periods in their work through our comparison. By investigating chosen passages and biographical grounds and applying one or more theoretical models, we endeavour to uncover subtle portrayals of gender and their role within specific sociocultural contexts. Hence, this investigation’s primary purpose is to broaden our consciousness of the role played by American literature both to represent and form the idea of female roles and identity.
Biographical Sketch of Anne Bradstreet
Anne Bradstreet, born in 1612 in Northampton, England, is the first well-known American poet and a leading figure in early colonial American literature (Baym and Levine 3). After years spent in the Puritan community, she formed the nature of her writing, which influenced her worldview, perceptions of religion, society, and the role of women. The education that Bradstreet got during her youth gave her undoubtedly, in a unique way, a point of view in which she looked at the world with the struggle between two of her core beliefs: religion and patriarchy of her society (Baym and Levine 3).
Having lived in the 17th Century as a woman, Bradstreet overcame many difficulties, including restraint from reaching the competitive level of education and speaking freely on intellectual issues. These difficulties did not keep her from producing highly intellectual, intelligent, and strong poetry that represents her creative thinking and fortitude (Baym and Levine 3). However, not only through her verse, Shema Bradstreet tried to settle existential questions, which were faith and mortality, as well as offering quite reflective reviews on the social and political mechanisms of her era.
Much of Bradstreet’s verse is steeped in her experiences, be they triumphs or defeats. They grant one a glimpse into the enigma that is her inner soul. In addition, her poem “To My Dear and Loving Husband” symbolizes her marital devotion and respect toward her husband touchingly. This highlights Bradstreet’s skill in navigating adjacencies of intimate relations in a society that places many restrictions on women (Ibid). Furthermore, the collection “The Tenth Muse Now Risen in America” comprises several themes, including love, nature and motherhood, all used to prove the vast range of her literary abilities and the depth of her knowledge and wisdom. (Baym and Levine, p.3)
Although Anne Bradstreet faced adversities of her gender and those of the society of her time, her poetry keeps fascinating readers with its biting reflections and puzzling predicaments two centuries down the road. Through her discovery in American literature, Allen not only enabled other women poets to be on equal footing and proved that nothing is impossible for women but also fought against obsolete concepts of femininity and womankind; her contribution to literature is unforgettable (3).
Close Reading of Bradstreet’s Poetry
In Anne Bradstreet’s writing, especially personified by her book “The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America,” we encounter a multi-layered and incredibly thought-provoking examination of various issues closely woven into human life. These themes, love, faith, mortality, and things at home, stretch to the constituent parts of her artistic fabric. Although it is when married that Bradstreet’s most sublime and enigmatic poems on the nature of femininity are revealed, “To My Dear and Loving Husband” remains, arguably, her most celebrated.
“To My Dear and Loving Husband” is a rounded look by Bradstreet on the complexity of married love; it reflects the profound harmony between her and her husband. Using the singing opening lines, the poet sets the tone for the level and depth of her emotions, elaborating that “If ever two were one, then we may be.” This phrase demonstrates that matrimony is unity and interconnectedness and houses the poet’s deep feelings.
As the poem goes deeper, Bradstreet results in the reciprocal aspect of love in a union, accepting that her love for her husband is uncanny in that it never seems to wane and knowing that she is lucky in such a nonpareil love. She narrates, “My love is so strong that Oceans, or any other river can’t quench it. Such love is mostly captured from you, and you can’t pay for it or compensate it in any other way.” The above lines are not only representative of the intensity of Bradstreet’s feelings, but they also hint at the value she attaches to love in a marital relationship.
Likewise, Bradstreet’s insistence – in this quite poignant and innermost way – that “I can no way repay” tells us how deep the husband’s love is and the futility of any material compensation. However, she does it differently, reminding God of his blessings for Jeroboam, who will be rewarded for his dedication to his duty by the deities of heaven. In this way, Bradstreet makes the love she shares with her spouse better than the love of people on a material level and gives it the attribute of transcendence and sacredness.
On one hand, Bradstreet nominally abides by the rules of the society, but, by and large, the author expresses her disagreement with the traditional gender roles, implying her autonomy and freedom in a strict marital relationship. She asserts her love in a manner that can be perceived as open and loud, contrary to the prevailing perception of women as subjects and faint confessors of love. However, this recognizes their ability to step up and position themselves as significant stakeholders in the dynamics of love and matrimony.
By that means, she removes the limitations of what is feminine and the common understanding of femininity in American literature. In contrast to being a passive follower and conforming to the norms, she demonstrates her independence and liberty in a more noble way through poetry, self-expression, and proclaiming herself. By depicting the importance of wives’ feelings and marital unions, she sets the bar for women’s evaluation and teaches the readers a new approach to gender and relationships.
The purpose of this poem by Anne Bradstreet, “To My Dear and Loving Husband”, consists of two things. First, this is about the mysterious presence of love, which is powerful. Secondly, it concerns female capacity inside marriage. She weaves a story of marital intimacy more than what was allowed by the usual convention, portraying herself as a woman who asserts her own will. Through this process, she outdid what was defined as femininity. Overall, it has become a landmark for women writers to follow.
Theoretical Literary Analysis: Feminist Approach to Bradstreet’s Poetry
Feminist literary criticism of Anne Bradstreet’s poems delves into the depths of the resistance and resilience she portrayed and was forced to abide by, as patriarchal dominance was typical in her society. Being restricted by the domestic sphere does not prevent her poetic voice from being the instrument with which she breaks the chains, portraying women as chained to this sphere and sinking into the trap of being completely feminine. Through her works, Bradstreet hones her skills in redrawing and contending the traditional male/female societal roles. As a result, she provides a vivid view of the complexities of females.
As well, Judith Fetterley, in her work “The Resisting Reader”, drives attention to Bradstreet’s poetry as a form of resistance to the patriarchal systems which want to handle women’s voices (Fetterley 45). The verses by Bradstreet become the means through which she expresses herself, her sentiments and experiences. The verses allow her to take charge and reassert herself as a woman. Her use of artistic expression to challenge her society creates the opportunity to introduce a new lens through which femininity is perceived (Bradstreet 1); she leads the way.
The womanhood portraiture of Bradstreet’s poetry has the theme of love, faith, and mortality, which poses a more profound question on conventional womanhood. By illuminating these issues, Bradstreet denies women their position as mere passive observers in society and makes them worthy members who can be intellectual and emotional. The verse is an ode to female fortitude amid patriarchal subjection, which has significantly influenced the ages. In this regard, it has empowered women to query and try to redefine gender norms.
Anne Bradstreet’s poetry can be recognized as a beacon of feminist resistance to the prevalent patriarchal discourse of her time. As she draws out her words, she invites readers who hardly question accepted notions of femininity to admire the power and agency of women as the pivotal force in their destiny.
Biographical Sketch of Hannah Webster Foster
Hannah Webster Foster, born in 1758 in Salisbury, Massachusetts, became a significant novelist and educator who won the heart of American literature through her groundbreaking work “The Coquette”, which was published in 1797. The social life fostered within the walls of a patriarchal society, replete with the rules and expectations that women had to follow, was the stage from where her story will be highlighted. These real-life situations significantly impacted her work as she dealt with the themes of love, marriage, and the ‘demanded’ standards of femininity (Baym and Levine 3).
Her upbringing in the late 18th Century unquestionably entailed a world that was dominated by tight gender roles and limited chances for women in her lifetime. The societal situations and relations that surrounded her, along with her personal experiences and the field of her literary correspondences, were accurate reflections. Elizabeth Fosters exceptionally portrayed womanhood’s complicated issue that led to the heartbreaking life of Eliza Wharton, a young lady who is intricate in the chase between society’s standards and her aspirations.
As Foster put forward, Eliza Wharton’s image clearly shows a profound expression of women’s challenges in those days. Using Eliza’s communication with several male people and her inner conflicts, Foster gets to the bottom of the conflict between personal freedom and compulsion. The destitute fate of Eliza represents a sharp contrast to a life of limitless opportunities for those who refuse to follow society’s rules. Such an outcome of rebelling against the expectations of society brings up the harshness of being a woman who stepped out of range of the obedient gender role.
Foster not only as an educator but also an influential person in the lives of those young women in many ways, intellectually and morally. Her time performing this role must have convinced her that women go through many hardships and hopes to attain a better status. Therefore, her depiction of women in her writing will be more complex.
Close Reading of “The Coquette”
“The Coquette” revolves around the tragic story of Eliza Wharton, a young woman torn between societal expectations and personal desires. Through Eliza’s interactions with various male characters and her struggle for autonomy, Foster explores the constraints placed upon women in the late 18th Century (Foster 22). Eliza’s fate is a cautionary tale, highlighting the consequences of deviating from the path of virtuous womanhood. One scene where Eliza questions her decision to marry Mr Hally is one of the pivotal moments in the novel. She also finds it quite challenging to marry due to facing societal pressure and confusion. In a letter to her friend Lucy, Eliza reflects on her predicament: In a letter to her friend Lucy, Eliza reflects on her predicament:
“I dread the thought of being shackled to a man whom my soul cannot love, and in whose conversation I cannot delight” (Foster 22). The author illustrates the situation’s complexity whereby social norms conflict with personal control as Eliza confronts the idea of forgoing her happiness just to fit into society (Foster 22). The first thing shown in Foster is that through the lives of Eliza, he brings to light the complexities of femininity in the late 18th Century as he presents how women at that time were being squeezed into godly tight gender roles and at the expense of their wishes and aspirations.
Theoretical Literary Analysis: Feminist Approach to “The Coquette”
The lens of the women’s liberating movement in Hannah Webster Foster’s novel, “The Coquet”, presents a grim view of women’s limited choices during the late 18th Century in America. The performance of the dramatic story about the tragic outcome of Eliza Wharton is that Foster uncovers the disastrous consequences of female agency when females are objectified only by obeying and conforming and not getting their way of life (Foster 22). Whether it is through Eliza’s tragic fate or through the discussion of the complications of femininity in the context of the time, the play offers an intense line of thought about the repressive nature of patriarchy.
Foster’s portrayal of Eliza Wharton is a sheer amazing one as it does not follow society’s script but instead breaks society’s rules to be fulfilled individually. In her pioneering work “A Literature of Their Own,” Elaine Showalter discusses Foster’s version of Eliza as a character breaking all the norms of patriarchal rules as shown by (Showalter 76). Through the spotlight on Eliza’s struggle to overcome the bias within the social structures and her final sad ending, Foster argues that the patriarchal system of America at that time was not fair to women.
Undoubtedly, Fitz’s inherent limitations are portrayed by Eliza as society views serving their husbands at the expense of their own needs as the primary purpose of a woman. Eliza’s pursuit of the happiness and individuality she yearns for ends up being something she cannot have, with her family and community refusing to accept her, and she ultimately pays the price. In Foster’s book, we may see how the women of that era were forced into sacrifice to be rightful, as a clear example of the ever-prevailing characteristic of patriarchalism.
The essence of this novella is that through the lens of a “Coquette”, patriarchal oppression and the blurry lines of femininity among 18th Century American women are critically analyzed. How Foster created the character of Eliza Wharton influences the readers to realize that some societal norms where women are restrained from autonomy and agency should not be the case. She uses her works as a platform to provide women a voice in a time when they have no say. Through this, she is advancing women’s right to self-expression in literature and, most importantly, in society, thus serving as a model for generations to follow in fighting an archaic patriarchal system.
Comparison of Bradstreet and Foster
The gender roles of Anne Bradstreet and Hannah Webster Foster, though separated in different periods, look at the complicated issues women succumbed to and their ability to exercise authority in a traditional society. Although Bradstreet’s poetry and Foster’s novel are diverged chronologically and stylistically, they combine to explore similar topics on womanhood roles, societal norms and the struggles of a single woman for self-liberation. In the 17th Century, Bradstreet’s poetry mirrors a woman reaching out for the answer to a problem she has created by the disagreement between her Puritan beliefs and obligations of life as a family woman. Through her poems, Bradstreet passes the hardships of the soul, faith, love and mortality, opening to the viewers the inner world of a woman who was busy-body predominantly in the domestic sphere. Her poetry governs as a perfect interrogation of the women in Puritan society with the explicit difficulties and their complex relations with individual wills and societal awareness.
“The Coquette” by Hannah Webster Foster, an 18th-century novel, is the story of a love-struck girl who cannot decide between her love for a man and society’s customs. She depicts the dilemma of Eliza Wharton, who has to establish her identity via the crisscrossing of female characters within an environment of immense social transformation. Eliza’s attempt to balance her desires and the sanctioned values of virtuousness and marriage with the gender-behavioural restrictions and restrictions of female agency in the 18th Century Back then represents the complexity of societal turmoil. Nevertheless, in the sections where they differ, both writers challenge the stereotype of women and argue for the female right to equal power. With female emancipation and criticisms of the patriarchal mindset, precursors to the feminine form of various kinds of literature, Bradstreet’s poetry develops an imaginary pattern that other women writers apply in their future works. Specifically, Foster’s novel portrays the sorrowful fate of Elizabeth Whorton, a woman in America of the 18th Century, which brings to our attention the restrictions women faced in those days.
As the representations in their writings differ in terms of genres and historical times, they blend around similar female subjects like femininity, female agency and thus the struggle of independent women in a society dominated by men. Through their literary works, both writers broaden the view of what is considered femininity in American literature, and they condemn and combat the existing gender norms to give women more significant influence and a more significant role.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the work of Anne Bradstreet and Hannah Webster Foster offers a fundamental understanding of women’s journey in American literature through the ages. Through a close reading of the poetry by Anne Bradstreet and the novel “The Coquette” by Hannah Foster, we have plumbed into how the great authors responded to and challenged the strict matrimonial rules and expectations of their periods. Using a female literary theory critique toolbox equips the exploration of the multifaceted problems of femininity and women’s actions shown in the writings. While Bradstreet’s groundbreaking voice expressed in her profound poems shows her assertion of women’s role amidst all of the expectations placed by the colonial American society, the characterization of Eliza Wharton in the novel “The Coquette” by Foster represents the early Republic period, women confronting the adverse outcomes and restrictions along their path to independence. Ultimately, both Bradstreet and Foster provide a vivid depiction of both women’s struggle for emancipation and their success in conquering patriarchal systems, which have constantly challenged them, as a permanent testimony to the strength and resilience always found within the human spirit. They achieved so much under the circumstances they were under, and generations later, their diverse output still guides us through the complicated gender dynamics, urging us to reflect even today.
Works Cited
Baym, Nina, and Robert S. Levine, eds. The Norton Anthology of American Literature: Eighth International Student Edition. Vol. 3. WW Norton & Company, 2011.https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=dUjeCgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR8&dq=Baym,+Nina+et+al.,+editors.+The+Norton+Anthology+of+American+Literature.+9th+ed.,+vol.+A,+W.W.+Norton+%26+Company,+2017.&ots=vL2Gi0Xz4D&sig=NEAO695qn_R5IALlRE_yoCNcexw
Bradstreet, Anne. “To my dear and loving husband.” 2012.https://staffweb.psdschools.org/bkatz/OnlineMaterials/USLit/USLitRes/Burning.pdf
Foster, Hannah Webster. “The Coquette. 1797. Ed. Cathy Davidson.” (1986).
Showalter, Elaine. A literature of their own: British women novelists from Brontë to Lessing. Princeton University Press, 1999.
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