Religion is undoubtedly something that is incredibly important for many people. It at times serves as a source of comfort, a sense of purpose, or even a sense of belonging. Because of this, it has been a common origin of inspiration for many poets regardless of origin and time. Anne Bradstreet and Emily Dickinson are no exception. Both reference religious beliefs and God numerous times throughout their works, but they do so in different ways. These differences serve as evidence of an advancement of self-expression and individuality concerning religion over the course of time. This is especially evident in Bradstreet’s poems “Before the Birth of One of Her Children” and “Verses Upon the Burning of Our House” as well as Dickinson’s poems “Heaven is so far of the Mind” and “Remorse – is Memory – awake.”
“Before the Birth of One of Her Children” by Anne Bradstreet is a quiet, reflective poem in
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/ The sentence past is most irrevocable.” Here “the sentence past” is in reference to Eve and the forbidden fruit and how because of her actions, all women were sentenced to suffer through childbirth and all humankind must inevitably die. Bradstreet recognizes this; she speaks of her own mortality and is accepting of it. This is important because it showcases Bradstreet’s religious beliefs. Even at times in which her main concern is of her family, Bradstreet’s faith is present at all times. Furthermore, by using end rhyme, Bradstreet symbolically shows restraint. In the same way that a poet controls oneself by specifically using end rhyme, the poet is controlling her emotions when dealing with a sad experience and accepts her mortality. Similarly, in “Verses Upon the Burning of our House,” proof of Bradstreet’s faith is indisputable. After being initially distraught at her house burning down and losing all of her belongings, Bradstreet recounts how she reorients herself and blesses “His name that gave and took,