Bradstreet “The Prologue”
4. What arguments account for the change in attitude and tone toward women poets that dominate the last three stanzas? Does Bradstreet ever assert gender equality in this poem? Explain.
Within the last three stanzas, there is a shift from Bradstreet addressing all the qualities and examples of overcoming success towards Bradstreet simply requesting to “grant some small acknowledgement of ours,” (42). From the beginning, Bradstreet does not diminish the importance of the work of others in order to raise light to her accomplishments. Instead she establishes that “my obscure lines shall not so dim their worth,” (6). Throughout much of the poem, she references the triumph of those not expected to succeed, such as “that fluent, sweet-tongued Greek” (19), an allusion to Demosthenes, a celebrated orator who overcame a speech impediment. This allusion is related to the struggle of women to overcome stereotypes and establish themselves as equals against their counterparts. The poem takes a twist from creating this equal thinking towards recognition of what’s been achieved. Bradstreet does not reference any great figure of accomplishment, but instead humbles herself before her audience, presumably men. She no longer wishes to bring about a change in society for women, but instead strives for an appreciation of “this mean and unrefined ore of mine [that] will make your glistening gold but more to shine,” (47-48). The argument that supports this claim by Bradstreet comes from her understanding of how the way things really are, “men have precedency and still excel…men can do best,” (38-40). While she wishes to change things for women, she realizes that change only comes in time, and she must first realize her place in this society before anything can be accomplished.
This argument is the end to the previously stated assertion by Bradstreet of gender equality. It’s evident throughout the poem that women’s rights is a focus, “I am obnoxious to each carping tongue/ who says my hand a needle better fits/ A poet’s pen all scorn I should thus wrong…If what I do prove well, it won’t advance,” (25-30). She creates this bridge between arguing for women’s rights to accepting her role in society, and simply requesting recognition of what work she’s done, all through the simply statement, “If what I do prove well, it won’t advance,” (29) understood as the advancement for the equality of women.
Bradstreet is a successful woman poet, and her poem The Prologue shows her mastery of skill and of persuasion, creating for women a strong example of success in defiance of any preconceived notions regarding the knowledge and capabilities of women.
