Ann+Bradstreet

"In Reference to her Children"  By: Anne Bradstreet  Summary: Anne Bradstreet, a mother of eight and poet, elucidates her feelings and love she has for her children. She uses metaphors to compare their relationship and how she nurtured them to grow from newly hatched to secure healthy birds. For each child she manifests their future once taking flight from her nest and complete care. Her eldest child, "Chief of the Brood," took his flight to a distant Region. Her second child married and flew north, and the third soon followed her sister's path on marriage lane. The fourth child, incredibly ambitious, always strived for perfection and his hard work eventually paid off. He had the opportunity to accelerate off to college, nonetheless, Harvard. And her fifth flew amongst many as he tended to blend in with his timid shy ways. The last three of her children are still cozy in her nest and will remain there until their ready to spread their wings. But unfortunately through all these wonderful accomplishments Anne still fears her nest and dreams could blow away in the fierce winds. Keeping her hopes up, she is satisfied of what they have become and wishes they invested in her lessons of comforting and teaching within the years. As they grow stronger she will grow weaker until her days end with the satisfaction of her achievements and she'll be able to take her flight to heaven. 

Correlation:

"Till at last they felt their wing, Mounted the Trees and learned to sing." page 1 "... took his flight" "... took her flight" page 1 "And from the top bough take my flight..." page 2 At the beginning and throughout most of the poem Anne discusses her children taking flight into life with only her lessons, leaving her behind to care for the rest. But as the poem progresses, it becomes Anne's turn to take flight. Instead of moving on to life, she fly's to heaven to experience the unbelievable. Giving her farewells, she is amongst the many who are gracious and proud of their children.

"I had eight birds hatch in one nest, Four Cocks were there, and Hens the rest." page 1 "Leave not thy nest..." page 1 The poem is completed with the use of numerous metaphors. Her most devoted metaphor is related to "her birds" and "their nest." Her birds are obviously refering to her beloved children and the nest, their home. They begin to "feel their wings" and "learn to sing," as they learn new lessons and become greater educated. Once they "fly" or "take flight," they leave their mother to enter the world alone.

"In Reference to her Children" Title "I had eight birds..." page 1 "My cares are more, and fears, than ever" page 2 The title, written in third person, makes one think the poem is told by someone else. But, the poem itself is written in first person. It is an unique and interesting approach. It's unknown why she took that approach but it really adds to the allusion.

Reflection: "In Reference to Her Children" can relate to nearly every family and parent. You can tell she cares and hopes for the best with her compasionate words and compelling descriptions. The way she describes herself comforting her children, "And with my wings kept off all harm," proves she truely does. Through the truth and love, the poem is brought to life and is splendid. Overall the poem could not be much better also considering it was not hard to understand, other than a little confusion here and there.