To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet Poem Critique

The first critical approach that I believe that can be used when studying this poem is the use of Reader-Response criticism. From what I understand, this method is used to make the readers follow the author in what the author is trying to convey. The group of readers will determine what the the author is trying to convey and choose the demographic that is best suited for this poem. For this poem, I believe it would be best suited for couples; a poem that could be seen on an Anniversary card. I have interpreted this poem to by about the love of the wife that she has for her husband. In the poem “I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold”  (To My Dear and Loving Husband, Line 5) is a strong indication of what the theme of the poem is about, which is love.

The second critical approach that I believe that can be used is a Psychoanalytic approach. This approach reflects what the author is trying to convey about their own personal life. The author is focused on their own life and is willing to share that with the readers to fix their own character, or in this case relationship possibly. This approach is usually done by someone seeking a fix to their problem. I could see how an approach of someone that is having relationship with their spouse would read this poem in attempt to gain something from the author’s undying love for her husband.

For this poem, I believe the best approach would be of Reader-Response criticism. The poem is short and sweet and the theme is direct which is about love. The author makes the suggestion of her love is undying and forever. 

References

https://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/crit.summaries.html

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43706/to-my-dear-and-loving-husband