The American female poetry of the 18th century was absorbed with the spirit of feminism, equality and struggle for the rights. It was the time when politicians desired independence from the British Empire. Besides, it was the epoch when women gained a strong voice and raised the issue of equality. The poetry of Judith Sargent Murray and Jane Colman Turell highlight the limitations the women faced and their desire to overcome them. Murray wanted to change the social status of women who were deprived from such basic concept as education and science, whereas Turell desired to change the religious prejudices. The essay “On the Equality of the Sexes” opens with a poem, where a female is described as “a weak, a servile, an inferiour soul” (“On the Equality of the Sexes”). The woman feels fully dependent on men and their decision as they possess the “greatness of mind”. The way for education is closed for females. The poet is sure that such limitations should be destroyed and the science should become a part of the women’s interests.
In turn, Jane Colman Turell is also concerned with the limitations. Being the member of the Puritan family, she understood that the literary ambitions would not be praised. Furthermore, the female poets were considered to be rebels against the order. However, she asks her muse to let her “me burn with Sappho’s noble fire” “And so be worthy of a poet’s name” ("Jane Colman Turell" ). With these lines Turell shows her understanding of the role the women have in the society and how her ambitions could be perceived by it. On the other hand, she is protesting against such an attitude and wants to become a poet, a voice, which is counted and taken into consideration equally with the males.
Works Cited
"Jane Colman Turell." Earlyamericanwomenpoets. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.
<https://earlyamericanwomenpoets.wikischolars.columbia.edu/Jane Colman
Turell>.
"On the Equality of the Sexes." On the Equality of the Sexes. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.
<http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/murray/equality/equality.html>
