Introduction:

Anne Bradstreet  was the most prominent of early English poets

of North America .she has been known as one of the first feminist
writers of her time.Through much hard work and determination, she
became the first published woman poet in America.
A Prologue to"The Prologue":
"The Prologue" mainly tells about Bradstreet’s desire to write and share
her writing even though the odds are against her. "The Prologue" could
be titled this because it is an introduction to the beginnings of her
writing.
Summary:
The poem is a satirical one with the patriarchal society of Puritans at the
gunpoint. The poem emphasises on the struggles and subjugation of
women in spite of their talent, aura and charm.The poem is a shout out
against the patriarchal and male dominating society.
Bradstreet starts the poem by saying she is not going to write about
noble events, wars, captains or kings, or matters of great significance
because she considers herself not skilful enough. She goes on to say
when she reads the works of Bartas and such poets, she wishes to write
like them and she feels jealous. Bradstreet further explains that she is
just a woman and should not be jealous of famous male writers. She
writes simply to make the most of the little skill she thinks she has. she
goes on to say that just like We don't expect a small child to give long,
beautiful speeches, or a broken guitar to play an amazing song, one
shouldn’t expect a perfect outcome from an imperfect thing with main
flaws.
Anne goes on further to compare herself to a greek orator who learned to
overcome his challenges and become a great writer and speaker. She is
unsure if she can do the same.
Bradstreet then lashes back at her haters. She says that even if she does
write good work, people will accuse her of stealing it or discredit her
talent by saying she just got lucky. throughout this poem, she had
praised the muses, goddess of poetry and Greeks. However, in the end of
the poem she begins to say though she admits that she believes men
excel in writing ,women should not be neglected and rather than
subjugating them, they should be given credits, too.

Mood and tone

Anne's tone shifts into a more condescending and proud tone in certain
stanzas. At times, it seems as if she is putting herself down, but in
another stanza, we find her lashing out at her critics with sarcasm and
sly remarks.
Theme;
The theme of The Prologue is humility. Bradstreet's opinion is shown
that the male gender is better than the female in every way when she
writes "Men can do best, and women know it well."
Poetic Devices
“The Prologue” is written in the ABABCC rhyme scheme .Each line
consists of ten syllables and it is Written in Iambic Pentameter.