Introduction: “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet
“A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet first appeared in the 1678 posthumous collection titled Several Poems Compiled with Great Variety of Wit and Learning. This poignant poem captures Bradstreet’s deep affection for her husband and her yearning for his presence while he is away on business. Through her vivid and intimate portrayal of marital love, Bradstreet emphasizes themes of unity and longing, painting her husband as the sun around which her life revolves. Her use of natural imagery, such as seasons and celestial bodies, reflects the depth of her connection to him and underscores her emotional vulnerability in his absence. This piece, characterized by its tender tone and expressive language, highlights Bradstreet’s skill in conveying personal sentiment, making it one of the early American literature’s remarkable explorations of feminine voice and marital devotion.
Text: “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet
My head, my heart, mine eyes, my life, nay, more,
My joy, my magazine of earthly store, storehouse
If two be one, as surely thou and I,
How stayest thou there, whilst I at Ipswich lie?
So many steps, head from the heart to sever,
If but a neck, soon should we be together.
I like the Earth this season, mourn in black,
My Sun is gone so far in’s zodiac,
Whom whilst I ‘joyed, nor storms, nor frost I felt,
His warmth such frigid colds did cause to melt.
My chilled limbs now numbed lie forlorn;
Return; return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn;
In this dead time, alas, what can I more
Than view those fruits which through thy heat I bore?
Which sweet contentment yield me for a space,
True living pictures of their father’s face.
O strange effect! now thou art southward gone,
I weary grow the tedious day so long;
But when thou northward to me shalt return,
I wish my Sun may never set, but burn
Within the Cancer of my glowing breast,
The welcome house of him my dearest guest.
Where ever, ever stay, and go not thence,
Till nature’s sad decree shall call thee hence;
Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone,
I here, thou there, yet but both one.
Annotations: “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet
| Line | Annotation |
| My head, my heart, mine eyes, my life, nay, more | Bradstreet lists essential parts of her being, showing her husband’s importance to every aspect of her life. |
| My joy, my magazine of earthly store | “Magazine” means storehouse, suggesting he is a source of emotional and material security. |
| If two be one, as surely thou and I | References the biblical concept of marital unity, emphasizing their profound spiritual and emotional oneness. |
| How stayest thou there, whilst I at Ipswich lie? | She questions his prolonged absence, contrasting it with her own solitude in Ipswich, which adds to her sense of longing. |
| So many steps, head from the heart to sever | Imagines the separation as unnatural, as if her “head” (husband) is removed from her “heart,” highlighting their intimate connection. |
| If but a neck, soon should we be together | The neck represents a bridge between them, suggesting that only a short distance separates them, and she hopes for reunion. |
| I like the Earth this season, mourn in black | Compares herself to the Earth in winter, symbolizing grief and loneliness during his absence. |
| My Sun is gone so far in’s zodiac | Likens her husband to the Sun, which has moved away in its zodiacal path, representing the emotional effect of his absence. |
| Whom whilst I ‘joyed, nor storms, nor frost I felt | When he was present, his love shielded her from life’s difficulties; she felt neither sadness nor cold. |
| His warmth such frigid colds did cause to melt | His love metaphorically melted her hardships, reinforcing his role as her protector and source of joy. |
| My chilled limbs now numbed lie forlorn | Without his warmth, she feels physically cold and emotionally desolate. |
| Return; return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn | “Sol” (Sun) is urged to return from Capricorn, the symbol of winter, representing her longing for his return to bring warmth back into her life. |
| In this dead time, alas, what can I more | The “dead time” implies an emotional void; she feels helpless and listless as she waits for his return. |
| Than view those fruits which through thy heat I bore? | Reflects on their children (“fruits”) born of their love, providing her with temporary solace in his absence. |
| Which sweet contentment yield me for a space | Although her children offer comfort, it is temporary, as her heart still longs for her husband’s presence. |
| True living pictures of their father’s face | Her children serve as “living pictures” of her husband, reminding her of him through their physical resemblance. |
| O strange effect! now thou art southward gone | His absence has a powerful effect on her, and his “southward” movement signifies his journey away from her. |
| I weary grow the tedious day so long | Without him, days feel long and monotonous, emphasizing her loneliness. |
| But when thou northward to me shalt return | She eagerly awaits his return, anticipating the happiness and warmth it will bring back into her life. |
| I wish my Sun may never set, but burn | She hopes he will remain with her always, with their love continuing to “burn” with passion. |
| Within the Cancer of my glowing breast | “Cancer” in the zodiac symbolizes nurturing and care; she expresses the warmth of her love for him. |
| The welcome house of him my dearest guest | She views her heart and home as a welcoming place for him, showing her desire for him to stay indefinitely. |
| Where ever, ever stay, and go not thence | Implores him to remain with her always, reflecting her profound attachment and longing for permanent togetherness. |
| Till nature’s sad decree shall call thee hence | Acknowledges that only death (“nature’s sad decree”) should separate them, emphasizing her desire for an unbroken union. |
| Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone | Alludes to the biblical idea of marital unity from Genesis, expressing that they are fundamentally one flesh and spirit. |
| I here, thou there, yet but both one | Despite the physical distance, she reiterates their deep spiritual unity, reaffirming that they are “both one” even when separated. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet
| Device | Example | Explanation |
| Metaphor | “My Sun is gone so far in’s zodiac” | Compares her husband to the Sun, representing warmth and emotional sustenance. |
| Biblical Allusion | “Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone” | References Genesis, symbolizing marital unity and the bond between husband and wife. |
| Personification | “My chilled limbs now numbed lie forlorn” | Assigns human qualities to her limbs, emphasizing the physical impact of her husband’s absence. |
| Symbolism | “Return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn” | “Sol” (Sun) and “Capricorn” symbolize her husband’s warmth and his emotional absence during winter. |
| Apostrophe | “Return; return, sweet Sol” | Directly addresses her husband in a plea for his return, even though he is not present. |
| Imagery | “Mourn in black,” “chilled limbs,” “glowing breast” | Vivid descriptions evoke her sadness, physical coldness, and passionate love, enhancing emotional impact. |
| Antithesis | “I here, thou there” | Contrasts physical separation with emotional unity, emphasizing the paradox of being physically apart yet spiritually one. |
| Seasonal Imagery | “Winter,” “Capricorn,” “Cancer” | Uses seasonal references to convey the cyclical nature of absence and return, and her emotional states tied to these cycles. |
| Parallelism | “Where ever, ever stay, and go not thence” | Repetition of “ever” reinforces her intense desire for her husband to remain with her permanently. |
| Hyperbole | “If two be one” | Exaggerates the concept of unity, suggesting that they are inseparable in spirit even when physically distant. |
Themes: “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet
- Marital Unity and Oneness: In “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment,” Bradstreet explores the deep sense of unity she shares with her husband, emphasizing their inseparable connection despite physical separation. This theme is encapsulated in her assertion, “If two be one, as surely thou and I,” where she evokes the biblical concept of marital unity, suggesting that they are not merely partners but also one entity in spirit and purpose. The lines “Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone” further underscore this unity, referencing Genesis to express that her identity and existence are profoundly intertwined with her husband’s. This theme of oneness forms the emotional foundation of the poem, as Bradstreet conveys that even in his absence, they remain connected in essence.
- Longing and Yearning for Reunion: Longing and yearning permeate the poem as Bradstreet grapples with the emotional pain of her husband’s absence. Her repeated requests for his return, such as in the line “Return; return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn,” showcase her intense desire to be reunited with him. She likens herself to the Earth in winter, mourning in black, emphasizing her sorrow and her feeling of emptiness in his absence. Her use of seasonal imagery, particularly when she implores him to return “northward,” reflects her anticipation and hope that he will bring warmth and joy back into her life. This yearning for his presence conveys the depth of her love and the agony she endures while they are apart.
- The Comfort of Children as Reflections of Her Husband: While deeply missing her husband, Bradstreet finds solace in her children, who serve as “true living pictures of their father’s face.” Her children are a comforting reminder of her husband, as she refers to them as the “fruits” she bore “through thy heat,” symbolizing their creation through their love and union. Although this brings her “sweet contentment” temporarily, it cannot fully replace her husband’s presence. The children embody aspects of her husband, helping her endure his absence, even as she continues to long for his return. This theme reflects Bradstreet’s view of family as a source of comfort and unity, linking each family member to one another.
- The Natural World as a Reflection of Emotional States: Bradstreet masterfully uses the natural world as a metaphor for her emotional experiences, drawing on images of the Earth, seasons, and celestial bodies to illustrate her feelings. She compares herself to the Earth “mourning in black” during her husband’s absence, likening his departure to the Sun moving away in its zodiacal cycle. When her husband is with her, she feels as if she “neither storms nor frost” endure, as his warmth shields her from life’s hardships. By urging him to return “from Capricorn” and enter “the Cancer of my glowing breast,” Bradstreet connects the warmth of her husband’s presence with summer, associating him with warmth, life, and vitality. Through these natural metaphors, Bradstreet articulates her emotional landscape, grounding her sorrow and hope within the rhythm of nature.
Literary Theories and “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet
| Literary Theory | Application to the Poem | References from the Poem |
| Feminist Literary Theory | This theory explores how Bradstreet, a female poet in a patriarchal Puritan society, expresses personal desires and emotions, emphasizing her love and dependence on her husband while showcasing her unique feminine perspective. Feminist theory allows us to examine how she negotiates her role as a wife and mother. | Bradstreet refers to her children as “living pictures of their father’s face,” revealing her role as a mother whose identity is partly defined by her husband and children. |
| Psychoanalytic Theory | Through a psychoanalytic lens, the poem can be seen as an exploration of Bradstreet’s inner emotions, particularly her yearning and attachment to her husband, as well as her sense of loss during his absence. This theory analyzes her conscious and subconscious emotional responses. | The line “I like the Earth this season, mourn in black” indicates her sense of loneliness and mourning, symbolizing her subconscious fear of separation and abandonment. |
| Ecocriticism | Ecocriticism examines how Bradstreet uses natural imagery (the Earth, Sun, seasons, etc.) to symbolize her emotional state. Her connection with nature mirrors her relationship with her husband, illustrating how the natural world reflects her feelings of warmth, coldness, and longing. | “Return; return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn” connects the Sun’s seasonal movement with her longing for reunion, making nature a mirror of her emotional landscape. |
Critical Questions about “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet
· How does Bradstreet portray the theme of unity in marriage, and what does it reveal about her relationship with her husband?
- In “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment,” Bradstreet uses the theme of unity in marriage to emphasize the depth of her connection to her husband. She portrays their relationship as one of profound emotional and spiritual oneness, referencing the biblical phrase, “If two be one, as surely thou and I,” which speaks to their bond as inseparable. Her repetition of bodily imagery—”My head, my heart, mine eyes, my life”—suggests that she feels incomplete without him, as if each part of her being is intertwined with his. This portrayal of unity reveals that Bradstreet views her marriage not only as a social contract but as a deeply intertwined relationship, essential to her identity and sense of wholeness. In this way, Bradstreet highlights the value she places on companionship, loyalty, and unity within her marriage, showing the depth of Puritan marital ideals as both practical and spiritually significant.
· In what ways does Bradstreet use natural imagery to convey her emotional state?
- Bradstreet’s use of natural imagery is central to conveying her emotional landscape in the poem, drawing on elements like the Earth, seasons, and celestial movements to express her sorrow and longing. She describes herself as “like the Earth this season, mourn in black,” where winter becomes a metaphor for her loneliness during her husband’s absence. By likening her husband to the Sun—”My Sun is gone so far in’s zodiac”—she symbolizes him as the source of warmth and joy in her life, emphasizing that without him, her life feels cold and lifeless. Her plea for his return “from Capricorn” suggests a desire to return to emotional warmth, as Capricorn represents winter’s distance and isolation. These natural symbols allow Bradstreet to express her internal feelings through a universal language, making her sorrow and yearning resonate on a more profound, elemental level.
· How does Bradstreet’s Puritan background influence her expression of love and longing in this poem?
- Bradstreet’s Puritan background profoundly shapes her expression of love and longing in this poem, as Puritan values emphasized the sanctity of marriage and the importance of family unity. Her portrayal of her husband as essential to her being aligns with Puritan ideals, where the husband and wife are united as “one flesh.” The line “Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone” underscores this religious belief, highlighting that marriage is a spiritual and divine union. Even in her yearning, Bradstreet balances personal longing with reverence, reflecting the Puritan belief in devotion to one’s spouse as a reflection of devotion to God. Her respectful tone, combined with deep personal attachment, shows her understanding of marriage as both a duty and a profound emotional commitment. In this way, her Puritan background guides her emotional expressions, making her love for her husband both passionate and measured, grounded in spiritual values.
· What role do Bradstreet’s children play in helping her cope with her husband’s absence, and what does this reveal about her maternal identity?
- In her husband’s absence, Bradstreet finds comfort in her children, who act as “true living pictures of their father’s face,” providing her with a sense of closeness to him. The children, whom she calls “fruits which through thy heat I bore,” remind her of her husband’s presence and the love they share, momentarily alleviating her loneliness. This connection reveals a significant aspect of Bradstreet’s maternal identity, where her children embody the love and unity between her and her husband, serving as both a reminder of their relationship and a source of emotional resilience. However, her reference to this comfort as temporary (“yield me for a space”) suggests that while her children provide solace, they cannot fully replace the emotional fulfillment she finds in her husband’s presence. This portrayal of her maternal identity reflects the dual roles she embodies as both mother and wife, deeply valuing her children yet holding her marriage as the central emotional axis of her life.
Literary Works Similar to “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet
- “Sonnet 43” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: This poem similarly expresses profound love and devotion to a spouse, with Browning detailing the depth and strength of her feelings, much like Bradstreet’s longing for her husband.
- “To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet: Another work by Bradstreet, this poem similarly highlights the unity and eternal bond of marriage, using powerful expressions of love and devotion that echo the sentiments in “A Letter to Her Husband.”
- “She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron: Although it is not directly about marital love, Byron’s poem celebrates the beauty and admiration of a beloved, reflecting Bradstreet’s reverence and admiration for her husband.
- “How Do I Love Thee?” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: In this sonnet, Browning enumerates her love for her husband in various ways, similar to Bradstreet’s expressions of her husband being integral to every part of her being.
- “Marriage A-la-Mode” by John Dryden: Though satirical, Dryden’s work explores the complexities and dynamics within marriage, indirectly paralleling Bradstreet’s reflection on the sanctity and personal significance of marital unity.
Representative Quotations of “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| “My head, my heart, mine eyes, my life, nay, more” | Bradstreet opens with an intense declaration of her husband’s role as essential to every aspect of her being, showing the depth of her attachment. | Psychoanalytic Theory: Emphasizes her psychological sense of incompleteness and dependency on her husband. |
| “If two be one, as surely thou and I” | She reflects on the biblical concept of marital unity, suggesting that they are not just partners but are unified in spirit and purpose. | Feminist Theory: Positions marriage as an equal partnership, showcasing Bradstreet’s strong sense of identity within this union. |
| “So many steps, head from the heart to sever” | Imagines their separation as a painful distance between her “head” and “heart,” symbolizing emotional fragmentation without him. | Psychoanalytic Theory: Reflects her inner conflict and sense of division due to her husband’s absence. |
| “I like the Earth this season, mourn in black” | Likens herself to the Earth in winter, enveloped in sorrow during her husband’s absence, deepening her sense of isolation. | Ecocriticism: Connects her mourning to the natural world, portraying her grief as part of nature’s cyclical changes. |
| “My Sun is gone so far in’s zodiac” | Compares her husband to the Sun, whose absence leaves her feeling cold and desolate. | Ecocriticism: Casts her husband as a cosmic force, emphasizing that her emotional warmth aligns with the Sun’s presence. |
| “Return; return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn” | Pleads for her husband’s return, using the Sun’s journey through Capricorn as a metaphor for her loneliness. | Ecocriticism: Capricorn, representing winter’s cold, intensifies her longing for the warmth of her husband’s return. |
| “True living pictures of their father’s face” | Finds comfort in her children, who serve as living reminders of her husband’s presence. | Feminist Theory: Highlights her role as both mother and wife, showcasing her identity within familial unity and love. |
| “But when thou northward to me shalt return” | Anticipates her husband’s return, likening it to the Sun moving north to bring warmth and happiness back to her. | Psychoanalytic Theory: Her joy is deeply connected to his return, revealing her emotional dependency and vulnerability. |
| “Within the Cancer of my glowing breast” | Describes her heart as a warm, nurturing place, symbolized by the zodiac sign Cancer, where his love resides. | Ecocriticism: Aligns her emotional warmth with natural, cosmic cycles, reinforcing the sustaining power of her love. |
| “Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone” | Evokes a biblical reference to emphasize marital unity, depicting them as one in flesh and spirit. | Feminist Theory: Affirms equality and shared identity in marriage, showcasing her significant role within this divine unity. |
Suggested Readings: “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet
- Laughlin, Rosemary M. “Anne Bradstreet: Poet in Search of Form.” American Literature, vol. 42, no. 1, 1970, pp. 1–17. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2924375. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.
- Blackstock, Carrie Galloway. “Anne Bradstreet and Performativity: Self-Cultivation, Self-Deployment.” Early American Literature, vol. 32, no. 3, 1997, pp. 222–48. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25057095. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.
- Abram Van Engen. “Advertising the Domestic: Anne Bradstreet’s Sentimental Poetics.” Legacy, vol. 28, no. 1, 2011, pp. 47–68. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.5250/legacy.28.1.0047. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.
- McClain, Larry. “Women’s Studies, Cultural Studies: Teaching Literature in the Midwest.” Transformations: The Journal of Inclusive Scholarship and Pedagogy, vol. 7, no. 1, 1996, pp. 15–28. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43587475. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.