In this part of Franklin's Autobiography, this statement is one of the many references to the treatment of females at this time. Benjamin Franklin was not only a liberal when it came to Deism and science, but also with the treatment of women. In Carol Hymowitz's A History of Women in America, she mentions that maintaining the household and having children are the biggest roles and priorities of colonial women. Women often had more than five children with sometimes more than one husband. With this constant labor, it was not good for the health of both the women and children. This is why, at the time, maternal and infant deaths were so common. Benjamin Franklin defies against the ideas of domestic women's roles, encouraging women to have just as much education as men.

Hymowitz, Carol, and Michaele Weissman. A History of Women in America. New York: Bantam, 1978. Google Scholar. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. http://bit.ly/1RgJkff

Spirit is pleased with her very strong emotional companionship with God through faith. Flesh believes there are many material things on Earth that may give Spirit this same sort of fill and pleasure.

This poem refers to the quarrel of two sisters, "Spirit" and "Flesh." There are many religious references throughout this poem in particular; one of the many being Spirit's relationship with God. There is much quarrel on how close the Spirit is with God in comparison to Flesh.

I believe this poem particularly relates to Bradstreet in a significant way because of her religious experiences through life. Bradstreet most likely had periods of doubt and consideration while debating her religious beliefs. Her periods of religious thought can be heavily compared to the arguments between Spirit and Flesh in the poem.

Bradstreet also explains how she knows people will pick her pieces apart and judge them. She advises the book to try not to listen to critics and their rude words. This idea is finalized by the line, "...and take thy way where yet thou art not known."

As discussed in class, Bradstreet believes this book is a "child" of hers that is "ill-formed." This poem in particular discusses the flaws she sees in her poems. And, as she tries to fix errors before publishing, she believes these flaws become worse. This is shown in the line, "I wash'd thy face, but more defects I saw/ And rubbing off a spot, still made a flaw."

This poem explains how she believes these poems aren't that great, despite what her friends tell her when they get it published anyway.

As I discussed earlier above throughout this major poem, Queen Elizabeth I was very different from past monarchs. Instead of being a ruler of power and fierce behavior, Elizabeth was timid and knowledgable. This line, explains how cherished Queen Elizabeth was by her country. Despite her differences from past kings and queens, Elizabeth was very influential and productive during her rule.

This line of the poem discusses this difference between her and her past royal family. She accomplished much success during her rule, which was praised by many; however, after she past Bradstreet examines how the rule may change in comparison to Elizabeth I.

In this sense, Semiramis a queen of Assyria and a greek legend known in war. Despite being the queen of England, where many past rulers were quick to cause conflict, Queen Elizabeth I is known for avoiding war at all costs. This is why Bradstreet writes the line of her considering Semiramis as obscure. This line shows the view of Queen Elizabeth at the time. Not only was she peaceful and well-knowledgable, but she often kept track of foreign affairs. Queen Elizabeth I was sure to not jump into wars or conflicts without having deep considerations before hand.

Queen Elizabeth I source

a peak; the name of the peak at Mount Nebo (where Moses saw the Promise Land)

there are often silent "e's" at the end of certain words. As another example, the word "rune."

another name for a very large ship

resin in between the seams of ship floor boards to prevent leaking

helloooooooo