Word: bradstreetã
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Although I have always appreciated Bradstreet??s presence on the Harvard campus, I’ve long thought this selection an odd one. When I discovered that this gate and plaque were erected in honor of the 25th anniversary of women’s living in Harvard Yard, I was especially perplexed. It is possible, nowadays, to interpret Bradstreet??s words as a sign of her exhilaration—her heart rising in joy at the discovery of her new country—but in fact, her words signify the exact opposite response. Bradstreet wrote these...
Knowing the true meaning of Bradstreet??s remarks, I often wonder whether passing through this commemorative gate is a sign of submission. I imagine independent Radcliffe women, their hearts rising in resistance, passing through to be convinced of the divine value of co-education (or patriarchy), being prepared to submit to the dominance of Harvard’s masculinity...
...perplexed, disheartened and angered by the August 2002 “Spotlight on Women” that arrived at my parents’ home along with their copy of the Harvard Gazette. There on the back cover, prominently displayed, were Bradstreet??s words, which were described as being “a reminder to today’s students that the future holds promise for all who enter its gates.” Such a gross misinterpretation of this woman’s words! As a poetry lover, I was appalled. As a feminist, I was hardly surprised...
...appalled but not surprised. After all, it seems to me that Harvard has long been more concerned with getting a (token) female voice at the table (or on the gate) and less concerned about hearing it all the way out. I’m not sure whether Anne Bradstreet??s misconstrued words exemplify sheer ignorance or willful revisionism, but in either case, her words remain. They are there to greet 1,600 new Harvard students, and they are there to remind us that Harvard has yet to truly put a spotlight on women...
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