During the early years of what became the United States of America, many Europeans were traveling across the ocean seeking religious freedom. By starting a new life in a far off world, these people were finally able to express their beliefs freely and plant the “seeds of the American Dream.”
In 1630, Anne Bradstreet and her family made the trek to America in order to experience that religious freedom as well as better her father’s business. Unfortunately, the move took a “physical and psychological toll” on the family. Anne herself was often ill during those first years and many family members passed away. During these first difficult years, Bradstreet began to write poetry as a way to express her emotions even though such an act by a woman was frowned upon in the Puritan society. Her poetry illustrated the hardships that were faced by the colonists and the “struggle with the clash between human emotion and religion” that was experienced by many.