 Born in Britain to parents with ties to an
Earl (nobility).
 Married Simon Bradstreet (age 25) when
she was age 16.
 Emigrated to America 2 years later in
1630. Landed in Salem, MA.
 Ten years after William
Bradford
(mustache man)
Massachusetts Bay Colony
 #1 Governor: John
Winthrop (Family Friend
and lead prosecutor)
 #2 Deputy Governor:
Thomas Dudley (Father)
 #3 Chief Administrator:
Simon Bradstreet
(Husband)
 Survived smallpox.
 The virus starts in the lungs.
 From there, the virus invades the bloodstream and
spreads to the skin, intestines, lungs, kidneys, and
brain.
 The virus activity in the skin cells creates a rash
that starts as macules (flat, red lesions).
 After this, vesicles (raised blisters) form.
 Then, pustules (pus-filled pimples) appear about
12-17 days after a person becomes infected.
 Survivors of smallpox often have severely
deformed skin from the pustules.
 Survived smallpox.
 Survived smallpox.
 Owned over 800 books.
 Had 8 children.
 Simon was often absent on diplomatic
work.
 Anne wrote, took care of children, and
studied religion, science, history, art, and
medicine.
 Pious
Anne was a Puritan
and Puritans Believed:
 Study and live by the bible.
 Women were baby making machines.
 Women didn’t speak out… ever, about anything.
 Believed in predestination (fate - Don’t believe in
creating your own destiny. You can’t change/impact what
is supposed to happen.)
 The most
prominent of early
English poets of
North America and
first female writer
in the British
North American
colonies to be
published.
 Published without her
knowledge by her
brother-in-law
 Died after contracting
Tuberculosis (TB.)
 Bacterial infection that
can spread through the
lymph nodes and
bloodstream to any organ
in your body. It is most
often found in the lungs.
 TB bacteria cause death of
tissue in the organs they infect
Anne
Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson,
born Anne Marbury
(1591–1643)
 Married at 21
 Mother of 15 children
 Ancestor of:
 U.S. Presidents
 Franklin D. Roosevelt,
 George H. W. Bush
 George W. Bush
 Extensive family tree of
very influential people
Anne Hutchinson
 The Massachusetts Bay colony’s formation was based on
the idea of religious freedom
 Once the colony was settled, its founding governor, John
Winthrop envisioned a “city upon a hill” which practiced
Christian unity and order. Everyone was to follow the
direction of the elders, and women, in particular, were to
play a submissive and supporting role.
 After settling in Boston, Anne served as a mid-wife and
herbalist.
Anne Hutchinson
 She conducted weekly meetings in her home to discuss the ministers’
sermons, sometimes gathering 60-80 people.
 Anne spoke of a spirit-centered theology which held that God’s grace
could be directly bestowed through faith. (God will be happy with you if
you have faith)
 This went against the Puritan ministers’ orthodox view, which dictated
that people must live according to the Bible’s rules by performing deeds.
 Concerned about maintaining order in their community and protecting
their exclusive position as sole interpreters of the Bible, the magistrates
quickly confronted any deviance from their strict doctrine.
 The growing tensions of the era became known as the Antinomian
Controversy.
 http://www.biography.com/people/anne-hutchinson-9348085#synopsis
Anne Hutchinson
 Put on trial by Winthrop for holding weekly meetings with other
women to discuss scripture (the bible). 40 magistrates passed
judgment on Anne.
 Her popularity and charisma helped create a theological divide
that threatened to destroy the Puritans' religious experiment in
New England.
 Hutchinson’s spiritual advice had grown so popular that the
crowds had swelled to include 1/5 of Boston’s population.
 Her crowds included many men who were political opponents of
the current governor, John Winthrop, the lead prosecutor.
Anne Hutchinson
 Prevailing attitudes toward women at the time held that female
minds were too weak to tackle complex thought.
 Governor John Winthrop once publicly claimed that a woman
had committed suicide because she read and thought too
much.
 November 7, 1637 ~ Massachusetts colony banishes Anne
Hutchinson for disobeying Puritan government's rules of
worship.
 Ended up in the Bronx, NY where eventually she and 6 children
were slaughtered by an invading Native American tribe. 1 child
survived that attack.
 She challenged the authority of the ministers,
exposing the subordination of women in the
culture of colonial Massachusetts.
 She is honored by Massachusetts with a State
House monument calling her a "courageous
exponent of civil liberty and religious
toleration."
 She has been called the most famous, or
infamous, English woman in colonial
American history.
The Model Puritan Woman
Personality Traits:
Duties:
 modest
 supervising and
maintaining the home
 meek
 submissive
 virtuous
 obedient
 kind
 cooking sometimes
brewing and dairying
 and bearing and rearing
children
 She was expected to
suffer all these in
silence. . .
Things to think about
and/or Discussion Questions:
 Is it dangerous to go against the flow and
question Puritan authority? Explain.
 What is the most tactful way to
accomplish goals of rebellion?
 Is the letter sincere or sarcastic?
Analytical Extended Response
 Using our argumentative writing format (CDWI) analyze and
examine Bradstreet’s use of poetry to make a statement.
 Clearly articulate whether this letter is sincere or sarcastic and
whether or not Anne would be considered an early feminist
writer, or a traditional and devout Puritan.
 Remember, she was very religious, yet she never thought her
writings would be read by others.
 Consider how the medium of a poem in the treatment of this
topic influences the reader more than a journal or newspaper
article would.
 Justify your answer by citing relevant textual evidence and
historical references relevant to the time and place found in your
notes.
Additional resources…
 A fantastic look at the dichotomy (contrasting
positions) of Bradstreet and Hutchinson and a great
breakdown of the poem can be found here:\
 http://www.poetryfoundation.org/learning/guide/23816
8
 http://www.biography.com/people/anne-hutchinson9348085#synopsis