“A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet: A Critical Analysis

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 her posthumous collection Several Poems Compiled with Great Variety of Wit and Learning in 1678. The poem, deeply personal and intimate, reflects Bradstreet’s longing and sorrow due to her husband’s absence for work. Central to the poem are themes of love, unity, and the physical and emotional separation between the poet and her husband. Bradstreet uses vivid metaphors, likening her husband to the sun and herself to the Earth, to express how deeply intertwined their lives are. Her exploration of these emotions in a Puritan society, which traditionally valued restraint over emotional expression, has contributed to the poem’s lasting popularity. Bradstreet’s ability to convey genuine affection and yearning with grace and poetic sophistication has made her work resonate with readers, highlighting the universal themes of love and separation.

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 opens by listing the central elements of herself—head, heart, eyes, and life—expressing that her husband is her everything, more than these fundamental parts.
My joy, my magazine of earthly store,	She calls her husband her “magazine of earthly store,” meaning he is her source of joy and everything she treasures in life.
If two be one, as surely thou and I,	Referencing the biblical notion of marriage, she emphasizes their unity, suggesting that they are one soul despite being physically separate.
How stayest thou there, whilst I at Ipswich lie?	Bradstreet expresses frustration and longing, questioning how her husband can stay away while she lies in Ipswich, separated from him.
So many steps, head from the heart to sever,	Here, “head” (her husband) is metaphorically separated from the “heart” (herself), illustrating their physical separation.
If but a neck, soon should we be together.	She imagines that if only a “neck” separated them, they would be together soon, highlighting the longing to overcome the physical distance between them.
I like the Earth this season, mourn in black,	Comparing herself to the Earth in a season of mourning, she wears “black” (a symbol of sadness), signifying her sorrow due to her husband’s absence.
My Sun is gone so far in’s zodiac,	Bradstreet metaphorically calls her husband her “Sun,” who has moved away in his “zodiac” (representing his journey or duty far from her).
Whom whilst I ‘joyed, nor storms, nor frost I felt,	When her “Sun” (husband) was with her, she felt neither “storms” nor “frost”—symbols of hardships or sorrow—as his warmth dispelled all negativity.
His warmth such frigid colds did cause to melt.	The warmth of her husband’s presence had the power to melt any emotional “cold” she experienced, symbolizing his comforting and uplifting influence.
My chilled limbs now numbed lie forlorn;	Without her husband, she feels emotionally “numbed” and “forlorn,” emphasizing her deep loneliness and physical impact of separation.
Return; return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn;	She begs for her husband to return from Capricorn, a zodiac sign representing the distance in their separation, calling him “sweet Sol” (a poetic name for the Sun).
In this dead time, alas, what can I more	During this “dead time” (likely winter, when he is away), she feels helpless and empty, unsure of what to do without him.
Than view those fruits which through thy heat I bore?	She finds some solace in their children (“those fruits”) whom she bore with his “heat” (love and partnership), as they remind her of him.
Which sweet contentment yield me for a space,	Her children bring her temporary contentment, as they are “true living pictures” of her husband.
True living pictures of their father’s face.	The children resemble her husband, offering her some comfort in his absence by embodying his presence and features.
O strange effect! now thou art southward gone,	She describes a strange effect: since her husband has traveled “southward,” her days feel longer and tiresome, highlighting the impact of his absence on her perception of time.
I weary grow the tedious day so long;	Without him, each day drags on endlessly, revealing her emotional exhaustion and impatience for his return.
But when thou northward to me shalt return,	She looks forward to his return, imagining him coming back “northward” to be with her again.
I wish my Sun may never set, but burn	She expresses a desire that her “Sun” (husband) will never “set” (leave) again, but will remain with her permanently, fueling her heart with warmth.
Within the Cancer of my glowing breast,	She wishes him to stay “within the Cancer” (a zodiac sign symbolizing home and hearth) of her “glowing breast,” reflecting her heart’s warmth and passion.
The welcome house of him my dearest guest.	She welcomes him as her “dearest guest,” seeing her heart as his home and embracing him with love and warmth upon his return.
Where ever, ever stay, and go not thence,	Bradstreet yearns for her husband to stay with her forever, expressing a longing for eternal companionship.
Till nature’s sad decree shall call thee hence;	She acknowledges that only death (“nature’s sad decree”) will part them, underscoring the depth of her commitment to him.
Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone,	Alluding to Genesis (“flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone”), she reinforces their unity in marriage, affirming they are one entity.
I here, thou there, yet but both one.	Despite their physical separation, she emphasizes their spiritual and emotional unity, as they are “both one” in essence and love.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet

Device	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	“My magazine of earthly store”	The repetition of the “m” sound emphasizes the intimacy of her language and the value she places on her husband as her source of joy and treasure.
Allusion	“Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone”	This phrase alludes to Genesis 2:23, where Adam describes Eve as “bone of my bones,” referencing their unity in marriage and their spiritual connection.
Apostrophe	“Return; return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn;”	Bradstreet directly addresses her absent husband (symbolized as “Sol” or the Sun), asking him to come back, though he is not present to hear her, adding emotional intensity.
Assonance	“Chilled limbs now numbed lie forlorn”	The repetition of the “i” sound adds to the somber tone, emphasizing the coldness and loneliness she feels in his absence.
Biblical Reference	“If two be one”	The phrase refers to the biblical idea of marriage as the uniting of two into one, highlighting their deep, spiritual connection.
Conceit	Comparing her husband to the Sun	This extended metaphor, or conceit, likens her husband to the Sun, suggesting that his presence brings warmth and life, while his absence leaves her cold and in darkness.
Consonance	“Return; return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn”	The repetition of the “r” sound in this line gives it a pleading tone, underscoring her longing for his return.
End-stopped Line	“If but a neck, soon should we be together.”	This line concludes a complete thought, emphasizing her yearning for their separation to end, reinforcing her longing and hope for a swift reunion.
Enjambment	“In this dead time, alas, what can I more / Than view those fruits”	The continuation of a sentence without a pause across lines allows the reader to feel the ongoing nature of her sorrow and her dependency on her children’s presence.
Hyperbole	“My joy, my magazine of earthly store”	Bradstreet exaggerates her husband’s importance by referring to him as her “magazine of earthly store,” highlighting the extent of her love and dependence on him.
Imagery	“I like the Earth this season, mourn in black”	The imagery of mourning Earth in black visualizes her sadness and paints a vivid picture of her grief in his absence.
Metaphor	“My Sun is gone so far in’s zodiac”	Her husband is metaphorically compared to the Sun, and his absence to the Sun’s movement away, representing her sorrow and longing.
Metonymy	“My head, my heart, mine eyes, my life”	Here, parts of her body (head, heart, eyes) represent her entire being and illustrate how her husband is integral to every part of her.
Oxymoron	“Living pictures”	Bradstreet describes her children as “living pictures” of her husband, blending life and still imagery, showing how they are both lively beings and constant reminders of him.
Parallelism	“Where ever, ever stay, and go not thence”	The repetition of “ever” emphasizes her desire for him to remain with her always, creating rhythm and intensifying her plea.
Personification	“My chilled limbs now numbed lie forlorn”	Her “chilled limbs” are described as “forlorn,” giving them human qualities and enhancing the sense of desolation she feels in his absence.
Repetition	“Return; return”	The repetition of “return” in the line intensifies her desperation and longing for her husband’s homecoming.
Simile	“I like the Earth this season, mourn in black”	Bradstreet compares herself to the Earth in mourning, enhancing the depth of her sorrow by showing it’s as if nature itself mourns with her.
Symbolism	“Capricorn”	Capricorn, a winter zodiac sign, symbolizes the cold season and emotional distance during her husband’s absence, adding a layer of cosmic symbolism to their separation.
Synecdoche	“My head, my heart”	By referring to her husband as her “head,” Bradstreet uses synecdoche to emphasize his role as the guiding part of her life, while “heart” represents her deep emotional connection and affection.

Themes: “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet

1. Love and Unity in Marriage: One of the most profound themes in Bradstreet’s poem is the deep love and unity between husband and wife. She views her marriage as a sacred bond, reflecting the biblical idea of “two becoming one.” This is especially clear when she writes, “If two be one, as surely thou and I,” emphasizing that their connection transcends physical distance. Her unity with her husband is further expressed in the line, “Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone,” an allusion to Genesis that underscores the belief that they are inseparably linked. Bradstreet’s portrayal of marriage highlights a spiritual and emotional unity that remains steadfast despite the challenges of physical separation.
2. Longing and Separation: The poem is permeated by a sense of yearning and sorrow due to her husband’s absence. Bradstreet’s lament, “Return; return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn,” reveals her desire for his swift return, likening her husband to the Sun and herself to the Earth. Her loneliness is accentuated as she imagines him moving through his “zodiac,” symbolizing his journey far from her. The longing becomes especially poignant in the lines, “I weary grow the tedious day so long,” where the passage of time feels slow and burdensome in his absence. This theme of longing captures the emotional toll of separation in a time when communication and travel were limited, making her feelings especially relatable for readers.
3. Nature as a Reflection of Emotion: Bradstreet uses nature and the cosmos to mirror her feelings, particularly the coldness and emptiness she experiences in her husband’s absence. She compares herself to the Earth, “mourn[ing] in black” as her “Sun” has gone south, casting her into metaphorical winter. Her use of “Capricorn,” a winter zodiac sign, symbolizes not only the season but the emotional coldness she feels while he is away. This imagery underscores how her inner world, much like nature, is in a period of dormancy and mourning without his presence. The natural references make her personal sorrow feel grand and universal, connecting personal emotion to the larger cycles of nature.
4. Parenthood and Legacy: Despite her sadness, Bradstreet finds comfort in her children, who serve as a living legacy of her love for her husband. She calls them the “fruits” of their union, describing them as “true living pictures of their father’s face.” These lines show how her children provide her with a measure of solace, as they physically embody his presence even while he is away. This theme reflects the way children serve as a bridge between absent parents, symbolizing continuity and love that persists despite physical distance. The joy she finds in her children reflects the Puritan view of family as central to emotional and spiritual fulfillment, even as she yearns for her husband’s return.

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 Theory	Feminist theory examines Bradstreet’s expression of love, agency, and identity within the constraints of a patriarchal society. Although expressing her devotion to her husband, Bradstreet’s voice is active, allowing her to openly communicate her emotional depth and need for marital unity.	In lines like “My head, my heart, mine eyes, my life, nay, more,” Bradstreet articulates her own identity while intertwining it with her husband’s, affirming that her emotional experiences as a wife are worthy of poetic exploration and expression.
Psychoanalytic Theory	This theory focuses on the unconscious desires, fears, and emotional conflicts present in Bradstreet’s poetry. Her deep yearning for her husband represents more than physical separation; it symbolizes an emotional and psychological dependency that influences her sense of self and security.	Lines like “Return; return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn;” and “I weary grow the tedious day so long” express her longing and emotional discomfort, reflecting an attachment and dependency on his presence to feel whole and emotionally balanced.
Ecocriticism	Ecocriticism examines the poem’s use of nature as a metaphor for human emotions, showing how Bradstreet’s environment mirrors her internal state. Her sadness is represented by a natural world “mourning in black,” and her hope for her husband’s return is symbolized by the cosmic cycle of the Sun.	Bradstreet’s metaphor, “I like the Earth this season, mourn in black, / My Sun is gone so far in’s zodiac,” links her grief to the cycles of nature, depicting her inner emotional state as dependent on cosmic and seasonal rhythms, aligning her life with the natural world.

Critical Questions about “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet

• How does Bradstreet use metaphors to convey the depth of her love for her husband?
• Bradstreet uses extended metaphors, particularly comparing her husband to the Sun, to convey the significance of his presence in her life. By referring to him as “sweet Sol” and herself as Earth, she highlights how his absence casts a shadow over her life, leaving her feeling cold and desolate, as in “I like the Earth this season, mourn in black.” This metaphor of the Sun not only conveys warmth but also implies a life-giving quality, suggesting that her husband is essential to her happiness and vitality. His absence is as impactful as the setting of the Sun, leaving her in metaphorical winter, emphasizing her emotional dependency and the intensity of her love.
• How does the poem reflect Puritan values while also showcasing Bradstreet’s individual emotional experience?
• While Bradstreet’s Puritan background valued restraint and devotion to duty, her poem is deeply personal, reflecting a unique emotional depth that highlights her individuality within the constraints of her society. The line, “If two be one, as surely thou and I,” reflects the Puritan belief in marriage as a spiritual unity. However, her yearning for his presence and her willingness to express sorrow at his absence reveal a personal longing that goes beyond traditional expectations. Her plea, “Return; return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn,” shows her emotional vulnerability, breaking from Puritan norms of stoicism by openly expressing love and longing for her husband, which was uncommon for Puritan women to voice so directly.
• What role do Bradstreet’s children play in comforting her during her husband’s absence, and how does she view them?
• Bradstreet finds comfort in her children during her husband’s absence, viewing them as “true living pictures of their father’s face,” which suggests that they are tangible representations of her husband. Her children serve as a reminder of their bond, giving her a sense of continuity and connection. She refers to them as “fruits” borne from her husband’s “heat,” suggesting both the physical outcome of their union and the emotional warmth they bring her in his absence. This perspective on her children highlights how they embody their father’s presence, serving as a comforting link to him during their separation.
• How does Bradstreet’s portrayal of nature reflect her inner emotional state?
• Bradstreet uses nature imagery to mirror her emotional turmoil, showing how her environment reflects her sense of loss and isolation. She describes herself as “mourn[ing] in black” like the Earth, and her husband’s absence is depicted as his journey through the “zodiac.” The imagery of her “chilled limbs” lying “forlorn” intensifies the sense of physical and emotional desolation she feels. Nature, specifically the Sun’s absence from Earth, is not merely a backdrop but an extension of her sorrow, illustrating how profoundly her husband’s departure affects her. This use of nature to echo her emotions allows her to universalize her personal grief, connecting her experience to the larger rhythms of the natural world.

Literary Works Similar to “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet

1. “Sonnet 43” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
   Like Bradstreet’s poem, this sonnet expresses intense love and devotion, exploring the depth of the poet’s affection for her partner.
2. “To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet
   Another poem by Bradstreet, it shares similar themes of marital unity and profound love, celebrating the bond she shares with her husband.
3. “The River-Merchant’s Wife: A Letter” by Ezra Pound
   This poem mirrors the sense of longing and separation, depicting a wife’s sorrow during her husband’s extended absence.
4. “Adieu, Farewell Earth’s Bliss” by Thomas Nashe
   Nashe’s poem, though about mortality, uses imagery of separation and earthly sorrow that parallels Bradstreet’s emotional pain in absence.
5. “Remember” by Christina Rossetti
   Rossetti’s poem reflects themes of separation and remembrance, urging the beloved to remember her even if they are parted by death, akin to Bradstreet’s yearning for connection despite distance.

Representative Quotations of “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“If two be one, as surely thou and I”	Bradstreet invokes the biblical idea of marriage as two becoming one, underscoring their spiritual unity.	Feminist Theory: This line reflects how Bradstreet views her marriage as an inseparable partnership, challenging Puritan norms of restrained personal expression in women.
“Return; return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn;”	She pleads for her husband to return, likening him to the Sun moving in the zodiac.	Psychoanalytic Theory: The repetition of “return” suggests emotional dependency, as her sense of fulfillment relies on his physical presence, revealing deep longing and yearning.
“My head, my heart, mine eyes, my life, nay, more,”	Listing her fundamental parts, Bradstreet expresses the completeness her husband brings to her life.	Ecocriticism: Through bodily imagery, she metaphorically connects her identity to the natural world, grounding her emotions in physical experiences.
“I like the Earth this season, mourn in black,”	She compares herself to Earth in winter, lamenting her husband’s absence.	Ecocriticism: This line portrays her emotional state as one with nature, reflecting sorrow through seasonal change and expressing the interconnectedness of emotions with nature.
“Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone”	An allusion to Genesis, affirming their unity in body and soul.	Biblical Criticism: Bradstreet’s biblical reference emphasizes her view of marriage as sacred and divinely sanctioned, aligned with Puritan beliefs.
“My chilled limbs now numbed lie forlorn;”	She describes the physical impact of her husband’s absence as a feeling of numbness and cold.	Psychoanalytic Theory: Her physical reaction to emotional separation reflects a deep-seated attachment, suggesting that her sense of security is bound to his presence.
“Which sweet contentment yield me for a space,”	Speaking of her children, she finds temporary joy as they remind her of her husband.	Feminist Theory: This line shows Bradstreet’s role as a mother, highlighting how women’s identities in the Puritan context were often centered around family and domestic life.
“The tedious day so long”	She laments how time feels extended and tiresome in his absence.	Existential Theory: Bradstreet’s altered perception of time without her husband suggests a dependence on relational identity, hinting at existential loneliness.
“I wish my Sun may never set, but burn”	Desiring that her husband will always stay with her, like a never-setting sun.	Romanticism: The idealistic, eternal desire for her husband’s presence reflects Romantic ideas of love as a transcendent and enduring force.
“I here, thou there, yet but both one.”	She reaffirms their unity despite physical separation.	New Criticism: Analyzing this line reveals the central paradox of the poem—physical separation versus emotional unity—highlighting the poem’s complex theme of connectedness.

Suggested Readings: “A Letter to Her Husband, Absent upon Public Employment” by Anne Bradstreet

1. 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 28 Oct. 2024.
2. 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 28 Oct. 2024.
3. 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 28 Oct. 2024.
4. 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 28 Oct. 2024.