Puritan WritingsPuritan Writings

The American Colonies were founded by whom and when?

By Business Men (1607) in Virginia

And by Puritans (1620’s) in Massachusetts.

Throughout our survey of American literature, watch how these two tendencies—the highly spiritual and the highly practical, self-serving—interact and collide with each other.

The American Colonies were founded by whom and when?

By Business Men (1607) in Virginia

And by Puritans (1620’s) in Massachusetts.

Throughout our survey of American literature, watch how these two tendencies—the highly spiritual and the highly practical, self-serving—interact and collide with each other.

Puritan DefinedPuritan Defined

“Puritan” refers to a number of Protestant groups who, starting around 1560, sought to “Purify” the Church of England.

They wanted simpler forms of worship, based more closely on the Bible.

They believed that religion was a personal, inner experience; therefore, the clergy or government did not have to act as intermediaries between them and God.

THIS WILL AFFECT THE GENRE AND SUBJECT OF THEIR WRITINGS.

“Puritan” refers to a number of Protestant groups who, starting around 1560, sought to “Purify” the Church of England.

They wanted simpler forms of worship, based more closely on the Bible.

They believed that religion was a personal, inner experience; therefore, the clergy or government did not have to act as intermediaries between them and God.

THIS WILL AFFECT THE GENRE AND SUBJECT OF THEIR WRITINGS.

Characteristics of PuritanismCharacteristics of Puritanism

• A severe belief in Original Sin

• Most humans are damned; some, the elect, will be saved.

• How do they know if they’re amongst the elect?

• Write about their lives, study their lives to see God’s working.

• A severe belief in Original Sin

• Most humans are damned; some, the elect, will be saved.

• How do they know if they’re amongst the elect?

• Write about their lives, study their lives to see God’s working.

Characteristics of PuritanismCharacteristics of Puritanism

• Those hoping to be amongst the saved tried to lead exemplary lives marked by certain values:

• Self-reliance

• Industriousness

• Temperance and

• Simplicity

• Those hoping to be amongst the saved tried to lead exemplary lives marked by certain values:

• Self-reliance

• Industriousness

• Temperance and

• Simplicity

“A Narrative of the Captivity” by Mary Rowlandson, 1682.“A Narrative of the Captivity” by Mary Rowlandson, 1682.

What is the genre? How does this relate to Mary Rowlandson’s life as a Puritan?

What is her purpose, and how does she accomplish this in the text?

What are examples of Allusions from the text?

What is Rowlandson’s tone in the passage? Does it shift over the narrative? Explain.

What is the genre? How does this relate to Mary Rowlandson’s life as a Puritan?

What is her purpose, and how does she accomplish this in the text?

What are examples of Allusions from the text?

What is Rowlandson’s tone in the passage? Does it shift over the narrative? Explain.

“Narrative of the Captivity . . .”“Narrative of the Captivity . . .”

What is the genre? How does this relate to Mary Rowlandson’s life as a Puritan?

What is the genre? How does this relate to Mary Rowlandson’s life as a Puritan?

“Narrative of the Captivity . . .”“Narrative of the Captivity . . .”

What is her purpose, and how does she accomplish this in the text?

What is her purpose, and how does she accomplish this in the text?

“Narrative of the Captivity . . .”“Narrative of the Captivity . . .”

What are examples of Allusions from the “Narrative”?

What are examples of Allusions from the “Narrative”?

“Narrative of the Captivity . . .”“Narrative of the Captivity . . .”

What is Rowlandson’s tone in the passage? Does it shift over the narrative? Explain.

What is Rowlandson’s tone in the passage? Does it shift over the narrative? Explain.