Choose one author from the Early American and colonial period. Identify what he or she wrote and describe the purpose, audience, and style.
One author from the Early American and colonial period is Anne Bradstreet. She wrote a collection of poems called "The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America" and also had some of her poems published in various publications.
The purpose of Bradstreet's writings was to express her thoughts, emotions, and experiences as a Puritan woman in the New World. Her poems often explored themes of love, nature, religion, and family. They also reflected her struggles with the expectations and limitations placed upon women in her society.
The audience for Bradstreet's work was initially her family and close friends. However, her poems became widely known and appreciated, eventually reaching a broader readership in England and the American colonies. She often wrote for a male-dominated audience, such as her father, husband, and male friends, giving insight into the female experience from a Puritan perspective.
In terms of style, Bradstreet's poetry exhibits a combination of Puritan simplicity and metaphysical complexity. She often used straightforward language and simple imagery to convey her ideas, while also employing metaphors and intricate conceits. Her writing is characterized by a strong intellectual curiosity and a deep commitment to her religious beliefs. Despite the constraints placed upon her as a woman, Bradstreet's poetry showcases her intelligence, wit, and emotional depth.