Journal 3 In the poem, “As Weary Pilgrim, Now At Rest” by Anne Bradstreet, the writer tells us that they’re essentially looking forward to dying and being in heaven, away from the woes of their life. They go on to tell us about their struggles, travels, wild animals they’ve faced, sun, heat, etc. and how they are ok with passing on to a better “afterlife” so they no longer have to face this life. They describe being a pilgrim as unsafe, thirst and hunger-ridden and frankly, exhausting. They talk about the heat, the wolves (possibly a metaphor for humans they have faced), aching, stones under their feet, and much more. So overall, it sounds like their life as a pilgrim has been tiresome and beaten them down. The beginning of the poem makes it sound like the pilgrim is slowly dying but they are dreaming of their life after and how they will be finally relieved of their pain and suffering that they have endured as a pilgrim. They talk about the “Bridegroom” or God taking them away and making them/allowing them to be ready for the day that they die. They also mentioned that when they do pass, that their body and soul will unite with their Maker. So, it sounds like the pilgrim has relied a lot on their faith in their hardships and are relying on the comfort of afterlife with God/in heaven to be rid of their suffering. I think that from what I read, the pilgrim uses their religion and their spirituality to live their life in a way that keeps them positive despite their circumstances. They seem to also have written this poem as even somewhat of a conversation to God when they said for God to make them ready for “that day”. To me, it seems like a lot of the time, people who were brought into suffering or have spent their lives suffering in some way or another usually have a strong faith in God and afterlife. I think that this isn’t necessarily my “cup of tea” as I have been very hurt by church and organized religion that even my belief in God, heaven and hell has worn thin. So, I wouldn’t say that this is attractive to me but also on the same hand, I think that for someone to have such faith in a higher power even after their life has been filled with such sorrow, it is truly admirable. Additionally, if their belief in an afterlife keeps them going and gives them something to look forward to, then I think that it’s notable and then becomes “attractive” in the sense that if you have nothing else to live for and that does it for you, then by all means, believe in whatever you want as long as you’re not harming someone else.

Journal 3 - As Weary Pilgrim, Now At Rest

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