To My Dear and Loving Husband, Anne Bradstreet

Sanne Bergh
Eng48A
Journal for Bradstreet
Nov. 29, 2011

Author Quote
"If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye woman, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold"

Anne Bradstreet

Internet Quote
Due to her family's position she grew up under privileged circumstances and was a well-educated woman for her time, being tutored in history, several languages and literature.

Brief Summary
Anne Bradstreet was a well-educated woman, who also had eight children and a husband whom she valued greatly. She loves her husband, who also held a high social ranking and could support his wife.

Reaction/Response
Anne Bradstreet is an extraordinary author because she was one of the first female poets in the New World and Europe. I find it ironic that a woman who should be able to support herself, relies so heavily on a man. However, to be married and to have children is the social custom and she would probably be dubbed a witch or a sinner if she were to actually support herself. Although, it is important to point out that her self-reliance is completely possible. In Frederick Douglass' autobiography, it is noted that it is dangerous to teach a slave to read. For women, who have also faced social injustices, I find it amazing that a female Puritan in the New World would be highly educated. Although, women are similar to slaves because they have kept their mouths shut for a long time when it comes to their rights. It seems as though Anne Bradstreet was setting the stage for future feminists who would later use her life as an example. The example being that women can truly "have it all". For example, Bradstreet had an education, a successful writing career as well as eight children, and apparently a loving husband. Alternatively, perhaps the poem could be an example of satire. It seems that she is heavily weighing in on the idea of her husband being grand and amazing. Perhaps she is purposely being ironic. To compare oneself to her husband, and stating that she is not worth a man's value, is part of the Puritan's patriarchal structured beliefs. However, it is obvious with her inherent education and capability that she has equal, if not more, value. I personally believe that Bradstreet was quietly pushing for female rights and that her poetry was a form of satirical emotional expression.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Jonathan Edwards

Sanne Bergh
Eng48A
Journal for Edwards
Nov. 22, 2011

Author Quote
"Then they shall be left to fall, as they are inclined by their own weight. God will not hold them up in these slippery places any longer, but will let them go; and then, at that very instant, they shall fall into destruction; as he that stands on such slippery declining ground, on the edge of a pit, he cannot stand alone, when he is let go he immediately falls and is lost (426)".

Internet Quote
"Edwards hoped that the imagery and message of his sermon would awaken his audience to the horrific reality that awaited them should they continue without Christ. The underlying point is that God has given humanity a chance to rectify their sins. Edwards says that it is the will of God that keeps wicked men from the depths of Hell. This act of restraint has given humanity a chance to mend their ways and return to Christ"

Brief Summary
Edwards wanted to warn potential sinners of the possible torments of hell. He wanted to actualize God's wrath and scared people out of sinning. He essentially stated that if an individual were to reject God, they would burn in Hell and would not enjoy it, to say in the least.

Reaction/Response
My first reaction, being 100% Atheist and Liberal, is that Edwards is borderline crazy. It's almost as if he was setting the stage for all the religious nuts who isolate themselves in the Bible Belt. However, that is a personal bias. Yet, I believe that his approach to preaching is extremely effective. He is preaching in a manner that people use today; the "fear-factor". He's scaring people by telling them if they do anything God says is wrong, they would suffer. However, I believe when he uses the word "slippery" he's saying that anyone could sin. It could come knocking on the door at any moment and there's no escaping. Although, an individual could "slip" without their consent. For example, a person would slip on a banana peel. What if a sinner were to sin, without their knowing? Would they go to Hell and suffer through all of this torment that Edwards so vividly describes? He is saying that there is no leeway and that God will punish, and it will not be pleasant. It seems a bit harsh to me. Specifically being "inclined with their own weight" suggests that every person is responsible for their own actions and that no person can avoid the wrath of Satan. Although, sin isn't always in the hands of an individual and the concept of sin is ambiguous. Additionally, the fear-factor that Edwards uses seems to be a cop-out in the attempt to convert people to Christianity. The sermon was used to enlighten people and to promote the word of God. The negative definitely out shined the positive. People essentially avoided sin to avoid Hell. What about Heaven and all of it's glory?

Jefferson's Blood, PBS Documentary

Sanne Bergh
Eng48A
Journal for "Jefferson's Blood Documentary"
Nov. 22, 2011

Author Quote
"Almost from the beginning he has been a symbol, a touchstone, of what we as a people are--someone invented, manipulated, turned into something we Americans like or dislike, fear or yearn for, within ourselves."

Internet Quote
"Now, the new scientific evidence has been correlated with the existing documentary record, and a consensus of historians and other experts who have examined the issue agree that the question has largely been answered: Thomas Jefferson fathered at least one of Sally Hemings's children, and quite probably all six. The language of "proof" does not translate perfectly from science and the law to the historian's craft, however. And the DNA findings in this case are only one piece of a complicated puzzle that many in previous generations worked hard to make sure we might never solve".

Brief Summary
The Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings affair brought about much controversy because of the customs of the 18th century. Thomas Jefferson was not able to give Sally Hemings affection the same way he were to give a white woman. The emphasis lays truly in the inconsistency and contradiction in Jefferson's character.

Reaction/Response
It is interesting that Sally Hemings' children were considered black under Virgina law. The affair almost represents a shame that embodies the entire humanity of the white man. We bring Africans over, we force them to work, we give them little rights, and father children that we do not claim as our own. They were not humanized to people like Thomas Jefferson; a man who claims all men are created equal, even after he has fathered six mixed-race children. Although, perhaps to Jefferson, the affair with Sally Hemings could have been an experiment. Perhaps he was simply attesting the notion that "all men are created equal" and was testing law with his slave children. The children were almost completely white, and maybe Jefferson wanted to simply see what would happen. Although cruel and unsupported, maybe in Jefferson's mind he thought he was creating a more equal nation by going against the status quo and indulging in his "African Vixon". Thomas Jefferson was supposed to be a progressive man who was ahead of his times. It's terrible that he was forced to live by the customs of the 18th century and was "forced" to segregate his slaves. However, I find it weak and small-minded of him to do so due to the fact that he was actually exposed to a slave-free nation that fostered progressive thinking and behavior (Paris, France). As a Southern aristocrat and a man who should have actually lived by the principles that he preached, he did not practice the art of moral value. The Hemings' family identity brought about a great burden because the children struggled with the idea of "choosing" a race.There was no identity for mixed race in a time when you have "one drop" of African blood, you were automatically African.

Thomas Jefferson, The Autobiography

Sanne Bergh
Eng48A
Journal for Jefferson
Nov. 17, 2011

Author Quote
"In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only repeated injuries (655)".

Internet Quote
"The Declaration would eventually become Jefferson's major claim to fame, and his eloquent preamble became an enduring statement of human rights".

Brief Summary
Thomas Jefferson was essentially a founding father because he fought for basic human rights for Americans. The Declaration of Independence basically declared America's independence and triggered the American Revolution. Americans were claiming what they believed to be their freedom.

Reactions to what the Author is Saying
I think that it is ironic that Thomas Jefferson claims to fight for freedom and states that "every man is created equal" when he isn't actually referring to everyone. He is only referring to every white, rich landowner while excluding women, peasants, illiterates, people of color, ect. It's understandable that the people of the 18th century society were meant to think this way, but for a man who is fighting for a progressive movement, it should be expected he's talking about more than a small percentage of the nation's population. The "repeated injuries" that Jefferson refers to "under the most humble of terms" are definitely humble because he's not really talking about the freedom of very many people. In reality, Jefferson is not asking for his human rights. It's hypocritical to say that the British monarchy is affecting Jefferson in manners that are unjust when he is doing the same thing by holding similar prejudices towards his own "inferiors". The man had illegitimate black children with one of his very own slaves, Sally Hemings. The Declaration of Independence was a tiny step towards what America would one day become, a prejudice and an anti-progressive society that lives in the past. For example, the Constitution has been written years and years ago, yet we continue to refer to it as if it still didn't cater to rich, white male landowners. That's why we're fighting for our rights today with the Occupy Wall Street movement.  It might come of as harsh to say that Jefferson's intents were selfish and self-beneficial, but that might be all of which he knew. England was self-catering in that it would extract riches out of the US and it might be considered that the nation served as a bastardized model for what America might one day want to become.

Common Sense, Thomas Paine

Sanne Bergh
Eng48A
Journal for Paine
Nov. 15, 2011


Author Quote
"Alas! we have been long led away by ancient prejudices and made large sacrifices to superstition. We have boasted the protection of Great Britain without considering that her motive was interest not attachment (632)".

Internet Quote
"Paine wrote and reasoned in a style that common people understood; forgoing the philosophy and Latin references used by Enlightenment era writers, Paine structured Common Sense like a sermon and relied on Biblical references to make his case to the people. He connected independence with common dissenting Protestant beliefs as a means to present a distinctly American political identity."

Brief Summary
In light of the American Revolution, people were beginning to think about issues differently. In a land that was founded by Puritans, religion no longer held extreme precedence over other matters and it was now the time to begin thinking about matters logically and sensibly. Britain reaped many benefits by manipulating the ways America was governed. America was helpless and was still run under the ancient British monarchy. Paine essentially argued that this should be changed.          

Your Idea/Reactions/Responses to the Author's Ideas
Thomas Paine makes a valid argument considering the fact that America is vastly different from Britain. Paine states that the American people should no longer be a part of a ruling system that is silly and unjust and that the time has come to expect and reflect upon an impending period of time that is enlightening and refreshing. The "sacrifices to superstition" refer to the delay in which America has been avoiding change. The delay is essentially fear in acknowledging the desire to break free. The fear is caused by the "prejudices" and preconceived notions that nothing would ever be transformed and the governmental system would always remain to be oppressive. America, like a child, looks to its mother for aid and help. Yet, it yields no aid and simply abuses it. Paine states that America is now grown and has matured enough to govern oneself. The only way to break free from the chains of monarchy and a tyrant rule is through rebellion. America is like a child that is malnourished from the true fruits of prosperity and success; it's true potential is being suppressed by the hard hammer and rule of Britain. The "interest" Paine refers to are the benefits Britain reaps through the denial of America’s independence. The idea that Britain founded America upon the principles of humanity and "attachment" have long since vanished, or have perhaps never existed. The "interest" simply holds precedence over what is basically "common sense". England's interest in economic status and financial security has fogged the idea of morality and what is right and just.

An Indian's Looking-Glass for the White Man, William Apess

Sanne Bergh
Eng48A
Journal for Apess
Nov. 3, 2011


Author Quote
 "What then is the matter now? Is not religion the same now under a colored skin as it ever was? If so, I would ask, why is not a man of color respected"(1055)?

William Apess

Internet Quote
"I felt convinced that Christ died for all mankind – that age, sect, color, country, or situation make no difference. I felt an assurance that I was included in the plan of redemption with all my brethren." – A Son of the Forest

Jesus Christ

Brief Summary
To say that God "loves everybody" is false. Apess cites passages from the Bible that state God is, in fact, a bit of a racist. Christianity caters to the white man and Apess even directly states that "the white man, being one in fifteen or sixteen, are the only beloved images of God"(1054).

Your Idea/Reactions/Responses to the Author's Ideas
Religion is one of many ways one is able to console oneself and find reason within the world and why everything works the way it works. Apess, a Native-American preacher, must have found it incredibly difficult to live in a society that condemns any "inferior race" when he is trying to live under the principles of God. Its merely hypocritical of the religion to have a way of understanding that gives way to the heart, yet limits the accessibility to those who are of different color. It's aesthetic and "skin-deep" (1057). Apess makes a bold statement allocating the differences between Christians. It is confusing to understand why Native-Americans are exemplified from fair treatment because of the color of their skin, the way they behave, or that they are simply different. The white men of America who live by the daily principles of Christianity neglect to give Native-Americans respect and treat them like third-class citizens, if citizens at all. It's ironic that they would believe to find themselves in heaven when, by the Holy Book, they do not belong there.