Anne Bradstreet's "The Prologue" introduces readers to a variety of issues. The poem's main focus is art. In a discursive style, the poet celebrates the power of art. She muses on the freedom it affords women artists. She also discusses the difficulties in creating art. Bradstreet uses her poetry to express ideas about female authorship and feminism. The prologue also reflects contemporary events in England during the 1650s. For example, it mentions the plague and wars that devastated much of Europe at this time. Bradstreet was born in 1612. She came from a wealthy family in Massachusetts. When she was young, her parents sent her to live with relatives in Boston. There she met other educated people who helped develop her literary talent. In 1640, she married a man named John Bradstreet. They had three children together. In 1649, King Charles I was executed. This caused great turmoil in Britain and its colonies. During this time, Massachusetts passed an act banning the practice of monarchy in America. This action made John Bradstreet feel threatened and they separated two years later. After her divorce, Bradstreet lived in relative poverty until her death in 1672 at the age of forty-seven. Bradstreet is best known for her poems. They deal with various subjects including love, nature, and religion.