“I believe in the flesh and the appetites,” proclaimed the well-known American poet Walt Whitman in his famous “Song of Myself” in 1855. About two centuries earlier, the Puritan poet Anne Bradstreet also dealt with the topic of her belief and the “flesh” in her poem “The Flesh and the Spirit” (1678), but from quite a different perspective and with very different associations. According to Joseph McElrath and Allan P. Robb it is known from autobiographical material that Bradstreet started to read the Bible at the very early age of six (xvi). He also states that “. . . her thorough familiarity with the Bible artfully manifests itself in virtually everything she wrote” (xix).
Therefore I argue that as a work of Puritan poetry Anne Bradstreet`s “The Flesh and the Spirit” is mainly inspired by biblical ideas. In my paper, I intend to identify the basic ideas derived from the Bible in the poem and the allusions to books of the New but also the Old Testament. For this purpose, I will examine which central concepts in Bradstreet’s poem stem from the Scripture and explain their meaning in the context of the Bible. Thus, the meaning of the poem itself should become clearer. For the analysis, I will use the knowledge I acquired by reading the Bible for several years and studying Protestant theology. In addition, I will consult a Bible concordance and linguistic critical literature.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Biblical Ideas in “The Flesh and the Spirit”
2.1. The Flesh and the Spirit
2.2. The Strategies of the Flesh and the Spirit
2.3. Vanity
2.4. Treasures in Heaven
2.5. The Old Adam
2.6. The Hidden Manna
2.7. The New Jerusalem
3. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to demonstrate that Anne Bradstreet’s poem "The Flesh and the Spirit" is fundamentally rooted in biblical concepts. By analyzing the poem through the lens of Protestant theology and scriptural allusions, the work seeks to clarify the central allegory of the two sisters, challenging existing secular or dualistic interpretations by grounding the conflict in the specific context of the Old and New Testament.
- Analysis of the personified conflict between "Flesh" and "Spirit".
- Examination of biblical archetypes, including the Fall and the temptation of Christ.
- Critical review of scholarly interpretations regarding the poem's dualistic nature.
- Detailed mapping of imagery in the poem to the Book of Revelation and other scriptural sources.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. The Flesh and the Spirit
As the title of the poem reveals, the main concepts presented in Anne Bradstreet’s verses are the “Flesh” and the “Spirit”, here in the allegory of two opposing sisters. The poem is written in the form of a dialogue. There is an argument between the Flesh and the Spirit. After a short introduction (l. 1-8), Flesh presents her view in lines 9 to 36. Spirit makes her case in a longer section from lines 37 to 108. So the content as well as the form of the poem make it clear that there is a conflict going on.
Looking at the Bible we find this conflict between the “flesh”1 and the “Spirit” in numerous passages, especially in the epistles of the apostle Paul. In the letter to the Galatians (5,17) Paul writes: ”For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to the other . . .”2.
Then we have to answer the question what is meant by flesh and what by Spirit. Whelan argues that Bradstreet’s poem is about the relation of the body to the spirit, so flesh signifies “body” and spirit is a synonym for “soul” (259). Consequently, Bradstreet writes about the conflict between the material and the immaterial.
In my opinion this is not correct if we take into account the Puritan orientation of Bradstreet and thoroughly examine the terms “flesh” and “Spirit” in the bible and in the poem. Some differentiation and clarification is needed.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the research premise that Anne Bradstreet's poetry is deeply influenced by her extensive knowledge of the Bible.
2. Biblical Ideas in “The Flesh and the Spirit”: This chapter provides a detailed theological analysis of the central allegorical conflict and specific biblical motifs present in the poem.
2.1. The Flesh and the Spirit: Explores the definitions of "flesh" and "Spirit" within a Puritan theological framework, arguing against purely materialist interpretations.
2.2. The Strategies of the Flesh and the Spirit: Examines how the dialogue between the two sisters mirrors biblical accounts of temptation, specifically the Fall of man and the temptation of Jesus.
2.3. Vanity: Discusses the influence of the Book of Ecclesiastes on the poem's depiction of worldly wealth as ephemeral and vain.
2.4. Treasures in Heaven: Analyzes the contrast between earthly material gains and eternal spiritual values, referencing the teachings in the Gospel of Matthew.
2.5. The Old Adam: Connects the character of "Flesh" to the Pauline concept of the "old Adam" as the source of human sinful nature.
2.6. The Hidden Manna: Interprets the "hidden manna" as a reference to the life-giving faith in Jesus Christ found in the New Testament.
2.7. The New Jerusalem: Maps the imagery of the poem's concluding section to the apocalyptic descriptions in the Book of Revelation.
3. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, reaffirming that the Spirit's victory in the poem is absolute from a biblical perspective and dismissing alternative interpretations.
Keywords
Anne Bradstreet, The Flesh and the Spirit, Puritan poetry, biblical interpretation, allegory, New Testament, Old Testament, theological analysis, dualism, sin, redemption, scripture, Revelation, Christ, temptation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this literary analysis?
The work analyzes Anne Bradstreet's poem "The Flesh and the Spirit" to prove that the central conflict depicted is derived primarily from biblical scripture and Puritan theology rather than a simple material-versus-immaterial dualism.
What are the primary themes discussed in the paper?
The primary themes include the biblical definition of "flesh" versus "Spirit," the nature of temptation, the vanity of worldly possessions, and the theological significance of the New Jerusalem.
What is the primary research goal of this document?
The goal is to provide a corrective to existing interpretations of Bradstreet's poem by showing that "Flesh" represents sinful human nature and "Spirit" represents the renewed nature in Christ, as defined by biblical texts.
Which methodology is employed in the analysis?
The author uses a close reading of the poem paired with a rigorous examination of the King James Bible, supported by Protestant theological concepts, Bible concordances, and critical literary scholarship.
What content is covered in the main section?
The main section systematically breaks down the poem’s imagery, comparing specific lines to passages from the Bible, including the temptation of Christ, Ecclesiastes, and the apocalyptic imagery of Revelation.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Anne Bradstreet, Puritan poetry, biblical interpretation, allegory, redemption, and theological analysis.
How does the author interpret the debate between the two sisters?
The author argues that the debate is not a balanced one, as Spirit effectively uses biblical truth to defeat the temptations posed by Flesh, ultimately resulting in a clear theological victory.
What is the significance of the "Hidden Manna" in the poem?
The author identifies the "hidden manna" as a reference to the "bread of life," symbolizing the sustaining power of faith in Jesus Christ, as contrasted with temporary earthly sustenance.
How is the "New Jerusalem" section related to the Bible?
The author demonstrates that the descriptive imagery in the poem's conclusion (such as walls of jasper and gates of pearl) is a direct reflection of the descriptions found in Revelation 21 and 22.
Why does the author disagree with the scholar Whelan?
The author argues that Whelan incorrectly reduces the poem's conflict to a simple physical-versus-spiritual dualism, ignoring the specific Puritan understanding of "flesh" as an unregenerate sinful nature.
- Quote paper
- Christoph Aschoff (Author), 2007, Biblical Ideas in Anne Bradstreet's "The Flesh and the Spirit", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/165876
