Anna Laetitia Barbauld 326-330 (Norton Volume E)
A woman poet in the seventeen and eighteen hundreds. the themes of her writings were diverse and
wide ranging. She wrote playfully, satirical, and somber poems to be published (326).
Her use of literary devices such as symbolism and satire, elicit a human interest in her thoughts. She
writes about political climates and the experience of becoming a mother. These familiar aspects from
a feminist (if you will) point of view were devoured by the public and even other male writers like
William Wordsworth (326).
Barbauld has an interesting past. Her husband suffered a mental break and assaulted her violently.
What is interesting is the fact that she didn’t not stay with him. She left him, only for him to kill
himself shortly after her departure from him. Reflecting on this choice she made one can’t help but
wonder… if she stayed, would she have been killed? Would we still have these amazing works to
enjoy today (326)?
She was able to look objectively at the world around her and see where events would lead. She is
said to have predicted the American revolution, winning against the British Empire. She was blunt
and harsh when discussing political actions she disagree with. “One writer went so far as to say that
the poem was “only the more dangerous on account of its poetical excellence”” (327).
“Colossal Power with overwhelming force Bears down each fort of Freedom in its course; Prostrate
she lies beneath the Despot’s sway, While the hushed nations curse him- and obey.” (328). She is
writing about the oppressive and total power of Britain and their dominance over smaller nations who
bow under the weight of their master. I totally loved this as it did not diminish the nation but brought
its ego up just to rip it down. When she brings up “Freedom” I think she is talking about America, as
they were fighting for independence and the news in England and its territories must have been that
America was loosing (to save face).
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