How History Influences TextsPuritanism (1620-1750)

Puritans left England because: England established of a single

state-sponsored church.

King James’ accused them of being heretics and traitors.

King Charles’ imprisoned people who had broken no laws, but had displeased the King.

This leads to the Great Migration (1630 – 1640) and the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Two Important New England Settlements

THE PLYMOUTH COLONYTHE MASSACHUSETTS

BAY COLONY Flagship Mayflower – 1620

Leader—William Bradford

Settlers known as Pilgrims and Separatists

“The Mayflower Compact” provides for social, religious, and economic freedom, while maintaining ties to Great Britain.

Flagship Arbella —1630

Leader—John Winthrop

Settlers are mostly Puritans

“The Arbella Covenant” clearly establishes a religious and theocratic settlement, free of ties to Great Britain.

Values of Puritanism Total Depravity: Through Adam

and Eve’s fall, every person is born sinful—concept of Original Sin.

Unconditional Election: God “saves” those he wishes—only a few are selected for salvation—concept of predestination.

Irresistible Grace: God’s grace is freely given, it cannot be earned. Grace is defined as being chose to go to heaven

Values of Puritanism (continued) Typology: God tests us and we need to find the

story in the Bible that is the same type of test as ours. We should be happy for bad things

because it shows God is testing us. (Like Job) Manifest Destiny: They believed they were chosen to be an example for the rest of the world“…for we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us…” John Winthrop (1630)

Values of Puritanism (continued) Backsliding: The

belief that “saved” believers can fall into temptation and become sinners. Satan is particularly interested in snaring such believers.

Function of Puritan Texts To transform a mysterious God—

mysterious because he is separate from the world.

To make him more relevant to the universe.

To glorify God.

Style of Puritan Texts Plain language: Puritans reject ornateness.

Inversion: Anne Bradstreet’s “Here Follow Some Verses Upon the Burning of our Home”

Purpose: there is a clear purpose to Puritan writing (see previous slide).

Idealism: both religious and political

Biblical allusions: frequent references to, and quotations from, Biblical characters and stories

The Role of Women Women are not

permitted to speak in church until 1636.

In Puritan eyes, Eve’s corruption extends to all women, and justifies marginalizing them.

Authority and Obedience: The Foundations of Puritan Social Order

HAS AUTHORITY MUST BE OBEDIENT God Jesus Christ husband parents master

the church

each person

wife children servants

USA in 2011: The Puritan Legacy The need for moral justification for private, public, and governmental acts

The Questing for Freedom— personal, political, economic, and social

The Puritan work ethic

Elegiac verse—morbid fascination with death

The city upon the hill— concept of manifest destiny

Timed Writing: The Puritan Legacy

Prompt #1Each aspect of the Puritan legacy (from the previous slide) has positive and negative implications. Which aspect do you personally value or appreciate the most, and why?

Prompt #2Choose an aspect of the Puritan legacy that you dislike. Explain why you believe this aspect of the Puritan legacy is more harmful than helpful to our society today.