ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -It is addressed to a specific person (Simon Bradstreet, Anne’s husband) and written in the context of a specific relationship between two real people, and it’s possible that Bradstreet never intended anyone but her husband to read it.

Detailed explanation-2: -"To My Dear and Loving Husband” begins by describing the compatibility between the speaker and her husband (and boy do we mean compatibility!). The speaker then describes how much she values her husband’s love, how strong her love is, and how she will never be able to repay her husband for his love.

Detailed explanation-3: -In the second line, Bradstreet reassures her husband of her own love and commitment to him by claiming that she loves him as much as any woman has ever loved a man. This is a great claim, as there are countless lovers in the world.

Detailed explanation-4: -In the poem, Bradstreet proclaims her great love for her husband and his for her. She values their love more than any earthly riches, and she hopes that their physical union on earth signifies the continuation of their spiritual union in heaven.

Detailed explanation-5: -This line should actually read, “Make my Conversation to be thy Reele.” In comparison to “Huswifery, ” “To My Dear and Loving Husband” is full of inversion. One example is when Bradstreet writes, “If ever two were one, then surely we” (1).