Intro to Anne Bradstreet's "The Author to Her Book" with Professor Bernstein

ProfessorBernstein
8 Jan 201209:26
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this video, Dr. Bernstein explores the publication history of Anne Bradstreet's poetry, focusing on her first book, 'The Tenth Muse,' published without her consent in 1650. The video delves into the significance of the title, the role of Bradstreet's brother-in-law in its publication, and the societal context that required testimonials to validate her authorship. It also examines the preface by John Woodbridge, which highlights Bradstreet's domestic virtues and her reluctance to publish, and includes his own poem that metaphorically 'gives birth' to her work. The script invites viewers to consider these aspects when analyzing Bradstreet's poem 'The Author to Her Book.'

Takeaways
  • 📚 The video discusses Anne Bradstreet's first book of poetry, 'The Tenth Muse, Lately Sprung Up in America,' published in 1650 without her consent, marking the first published book of poetry by a resident of the colonies.
  • 🎨 The title of Bradstreet's book was chosen by her brother-in-law, John Woodbridge, who also facilitated its publication, suggesting societal perceptions of women as muses rather than authors.
  • 🤔 Charlotte Gordon, one of Bradstreet's biographers, notes that the title undermines Bradstreet's authorship, reflecting the era's gender biases.
  • 📜 Woodbridge, a pastor, prefaced Bradstreet's poetry with an introduction to lend credibility, fearing skepticism about a woman author and potential implications on her roles as a woman and mother.
  • 🌟 He collected testimonials from reputable men to vouch for Bradstreet's character as a writer and a pious Puritan, a common practice for validating female authors' works during that time.
  • 📖 The preface by Woodbridge and prefatory poems by other men served to authenticate Bradstreet's work and her modesty, a tactic seen in other female-authored works of the period.
  • 👀 Woodbridge's own poem in the preface takes responsibility for the publication, likening the act to forcing a woman's 'birth' and exposing her to potential disdain.
  • 🤰 The metaphor of birthing is used to describe the publication process, with Woodbridge positioning himself as the 'midwife' to Bradstreet's work, rather than her being the author of her own creative birth.
  • 📝 Bradstreet's private desire to keep her poetry out of the public eye is highlighted, with Woodbridge taking the liberty to publish it to prevent misrepresentation and satisfy those interested in her complete work.
  • 📘 The video encourages viewers to consider the context provided when reading Bradstreet's 'The Prologue' and 'The Author to Her Book,' which respond to Woodbridge's preface.
  • 🔍 The script invites viewers to explore how societal norms and the role of women influenced the reception and presentation of Bradstreet's poetry, and by extension, other female authors' works.
Q & A

  • Who is the speaker in the video script and what is the main topic discussed?

    -The speaker is Dr. Bernstein, and the main topic discussed is the publication history and analysis of Anne Bradstreet's poetry, focusing on her poem 'The Author to Her Book.'

  • What was the significance of Anne Bradstreet's first book of poetry, 'The Tenth Muse, Lately Sprung Up in America'?

    -It was the first published book of poetry written by someone living in the American colonies and was published without her knowledge or permission in 1650.

  • Who came up with the title of Bradstreet's first book, and what does it imply about her role as an author?

    -Her brother-in-law, John Woodbridge, came up with the title, which implies that Bradstreet was seen more as a muse or inspiration rather than an author in her own right.

  • Why did John Woodbridge feel the need to preface Bradstreet's book with an introduction?

    -Woodbridge, a pastor, thought people might not believe the poetry was actually written by a woman, and if they did, they might be suspicious of her and question her role as a woman and mother.

  • What did Charlotte Gordon suggest about the perception of women as authors during Bradstreet's time?

    -Charlotte Gordon suggested that it was easier for men to envision a woman as an inspiration or a muse of poetry than as an author, which influenced the title of Bradstreet's book.

  • What did Woodbridge do to establish the credibility of Bradstreet's work?

    -Woodbridge collected testimonials from men with worthy reputations and gathered twelve pages of prefatory poems by well-respected pious men to attest to Bradstreet's merits as a writer and a pious Puritan.

  • How does the preface or introduction in Bradstreet's work compare to other works by women during different centuries?

    -Similar types of prefaces or introductions that emphasized the credibility of the author appeared in the works of other women, such as Mary Rowlandson's captivity narrative in the 17th century and slave narratives like Frederick Douglass's in the 19th century.

  • What does Woodbridge emphasize in his own preface to Bradstreet's book of poetry?

    -Woodbridge emphasizes Bradstreet's fulfillment of her duties as a wife and mother, her modesty, and the fact that she engaged in her creative work without taking time away from her responsibilities.

  • What is the significance of the references to birthing in Woodbridge's poem included in the preface?

    -The references to birthing signify the act of publication as the 'birth' of Bradstreet's work, with Woodbridge taking responsibility for its 'birth' and forcing it into the public eye, while Bradstreet is no longer responsible for the birthing of her poetry.

  • How does the information in the video script relate to Bradstreet's poem 'The Author to Her Book'?

    -The script provides context and insights that can help in understanding and analyzing 'The Author to Her Book,' particularly in relation to the themes of authorship, credibility, and the role of women in society during Bradstreet's time.

  • What does Dr. Bernstein suggest for those who have not yet read 'The Author to Her Book'?

    -Dr. Bernstein suggests that they should read the poem and then come back to check out the second installment of the series on Bradstreet's poetry for further analysis.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Publication History and Authorship of Bradstreet's Poetry

Dr. Bernstein introduces the video series on Anne Bradstreet's poetry, focusing on the publication history and the significance of her first book, 'The Tenth Muse, Lately Sprung Up in America.' Published in 1650 without her consent, it was the first book of poetry by a resident of the colonies. The title, suggested by her brother-in-law John Woodbridge, positions Bradstreet not as an author but as a muse, reflecting societal expectations. Woodbridge's introduction and the collection of testimonials aimed to validate her authorship and character, a common practice for women and marginalized authors of the time. The video encourages viewers to consider these historical and societal contexts when analyzing Bradstreet's poem 'The Prologue.'

05:08
🤰 The Metaphor of Birth and Authorship in Bradstreet's Work

This paragraph delves into the metaphor of birth as used by Woodbridge in his preface to Bradstreet's poetry. He assumes responsibility for the 'birth' of her work into the public domain, likening the act of publication to giving birth and positioning himself as the midwife. The poem included in the preface further emphasizes this metaphor, with Woodbridge taking on the potential shame associated with publication, thus relieving Bradstreet of this burden. The video suggests that understanding this dynamic is crucial for interpreting Bradstreet's response in 'The Author to Her Book,' especially considering the societal expectations of women's roles and the private nature of her creative work.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Anne Bradstreet
Anne Bradstreet was the first poet of the American colonies to have her work published. She is a central figure in the video's narrative, as it discusses the publication history of her poetry and the societal context surrounding her work. The video specifically mentions her poem 'The Author to Her Book,' which is a response to the preface of her first book written by her brother-in-law, John Woodbridge.
💡The Tenth Muse, Lately Sprung Up in America
This is the title of Bradstreet's first book of poetry, published in 1650 without her knowledge or permission. The title is significant as it reflects the societal view of women at the time, suggesting that it was easier to see a woman as a muse rather than an author in her own right. This concept is a key theme in the video, illustrating the challenges Bradstreet faced in being recognized for her literary contributions.
💡John Woodbridge
John Woodbridge was Bradstreet's brother-in-law who played a pivotal role in the publication of her first book. He is mentioned in the video as the person who came up with the title of her book and who gathered testimonials to attest to her merits as a writer and a pious Puritan. His actions and the preface he wrote are central to the discussion of the societal expectations and limitations placed on women authors during that era.
💡Muse
In the context of the video, a 'muse' refers to a source of inspiration for creative work, particularly in poetry. The title of Bradstreet's book positions her as a muse rather than acknowledging her as an author, which is a reflection of the gender biases of the time. The concept of the muse is used to explore how women's creative contributions were often devalued or attributed to others.
💡Preface
A preface is an introductory section to a book, often containing information about the author or the work itself. In the video, the preface written by Woodbridge for Bradstreet's book is highlighted as a means to establish her credibility as a writer and to address potential skepticism about a woman being the author of such work. The preface is a key element in understanding the societal norms and expectations of the time.
💡Testimonials
Testimonials in this context refer to the written statements of support or endorsement collected by Woodbridge from men of reputable standing. These testimonials were intended to validate Bradstreet's authorship and her character, reflecting the need for external validation of a woman's work in a male-dominated society.
💡Prefatory Poems
Prefatory poems are introductory poems placed at the beginning of a book, often serving to praise or introduce the main work. In the video, it is mentioned that Woodbridge gathered prefatory poems from well-respected men to supplement Bradstreet's manuscript, testifying to her faithfulness and modesty. These poems are part of the effort to legitimize her work in the eyes of the public.
💡Credibility
Credibility, in the context of the video, refers to the perceived trustworthiness or authenticity of an author's work. The video discusses how prefaces and testimonials were used to establish the credibility of authors, especially women like Bradstreet, whose work might have been doubted due to societal biases.
💡The Prologue
The Prologue is a reference to a part of Bradstreet's work, which the video suggests should be read with an understanding of the issues surrounding her title as a muse and the societal expectations of women. It is implied that 'The Prologue' may contain Bradstreet's own reflections on her role as a woman and an author.
💡Birthing Metaphor
The birthing metaphor is used in the video to describe the act of publication as a form of 'birth,' with Woodbridge taking on the role of the 'birther' of Bradstreet's work. This metaphor is significant as it shifts the responsibility and credit for the creation of her poetry from Bradstreet to Woodbridge, illustrating the power dynamics in the publication process.
💡Public View
Public view refers to the exposure of Bradstreet's work to the general public through publication. The video discusses how Woodbridge took it upon himself to bring her work into the public view, against her initial intentions to keep it private. This action is part of the broader theme of control and agency over one's creative work.
Highlights

Introduction to Anne Bradstreet's poetry and analysis of 'The Author to Her Book'.

Publication history of Bradstreet's first book, 'The Tenth Muse', in 1650 without her knowledge.

The significance of the title 'The Tenth Muse' and its origin from Bradstreet's brother-in-law.

The societal perception of women as muses rather than authors during Bradstreet's time.

John Woodbridge's introduction to Bradstreet's book and his role in its publication.

Woodbridge's collection of testimonials to validate Bradstreet's authorship and character.

The presence of prefatory poems by respected men to attest to Bradstreet's modesty and faithfulness.

Comparison of Bradstreet's publication experience with other women authors and their prefaces.

Woodbridge's emphasis on Bradstreet's societal roles and her 'place' as a woman and mother.

Bradstreet's desire to keep her poetry private and Woodbridge's decision to publish it.

Woodbridge's own poem in the preface and its implications on the birth of Bradstreet's work.

The metaphor of birthing in Woodbridge's poem and its association with the publication process.

Bradstreet's response to Woodbridge's preface in her poem 'The Author to Her Book'.

The importance of considering the context of Bradstreet's work for a deeper understanding.

Invitation to read 'The Author to Her Book' and return for further analysis in the second installment.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Anne BradstreetPoetry AnalysisColonial LiteratureFeminine Authorship17th CenturyPublishing HistoryMuse ConceptPuritan ValuesCredibility PrefacesLiterary Testimonials