American Puritanism Early American Literature up to 1700

The Plymouth Colony Began with arrival of Mayflower – 1620 Began with arrival of Mayflower – 1620 Still connected with Great Britain Still connected with Great Britain –Had social, religious, and economic freedom through Mayflower Compact Considered Pilgrims or The Separatists Considered Pilgrims or The Separatists

The Massachusetts Bay Colony Began with arrival of Arbella – 1630 Began with arrival of Arbella – 1630 Leader – John Winthrop Leader – John Winthrop Settlement is based on religion – is a theocracy and is free of Great Britain Settlement is based on religion – is a theocracy and is free of Great Britain Considered Congregational Puritans Considered Congregational Puritans

Basic Puritan Beliefs - TULIP T = Total Depravity – we are all sinners through concept of original sin/fall of Adam T = Total Depravity – we are all sinners through concept of original sin/fall of Adam U = Unconditional Election – only certain people are saved by God – your fate is predestined U = Unconditional Election – only certain people are saved by God – your fate is predestined L = Limited Atonement – Jesus only died for those who are saved, not everyone L = Limited Atonement – Jesus only died for those who are saved, not everyone

TULIP Continued I = Irresistible Grace – You cannot earn or deny God’s grace, He gives it to you freely I = Irresistible Grace – You cannot earn or deny God’s grace, He gives it to you freely P = Perseverance of the “’Saints’” – people who God chooses can determine His will and live “right.” Once one feels God’s will in his/her life, they cannot go against it because that is against Puritan beliefs P = Perseverance of the “’Saints’” – people who God chooses can determine His will and live “right.” Once one feels God’s will in his/her life, they cannot go against it because that is against Puritan beliefs

Some Other Puritan Beliefs Typology – God’s works can be seen in what people and nature both do. A Puritan must understand this. Typology – God’s works can be seen in what people and nature both do. A Puritan must understand this. – Natural disasters, fires, etc. show what God wants Backsliding Backsliding –Puritans can fall from grace, so must always have Godly characteristics

Purpose of Puritan Writers To make God more understandable to others To make God more understandable to others To show how God fits into the world To show how God fits into the world To give God glory To give God glory

Puritan Writing Style Protestant – not flowery/wordy – show honor to the Bible Protestant – not flowery/wordy – show honor to the Bible Purposeful – written for the reasons in previous slide Purposeful – written for the reasons in previous slide It fit in with how Puritans were as people in terms of religious beliefs and education It fit in with how Puritans were as people in terms of religious beliefs and education

Common Themes Idealism – optimistic in terms of religion and politics Idealism – optimistic in terms of religion and politics Pragmatism – writing had a purpose that showed things were achievable Pragmatism – writing had a purpose that showed things were achievable

Things that Helped End Puritanism People wanting to do good – against predestination People wanting to do good – against predestination Wanting freedom with life Wanting freedom with life Dislike of power balance – few over many Dislike of power balance – few over many Economy – taking an interest in earning money Economy – taking an interest in earning money Strong voices against Puritanism in New England Strong voices against Puritanism in New England Frontier ideas like being an individual, being optimistic, and taking care of oneself Frontier ideas like being an individual, being optimistic, and taking care of oneself

Cont. Politics – Massachusetts becoming loyal to Britain Politics – Massachusetts becoming loyal to Britain No flexibility in theocratic government – all rules/laws based on Bible No flexibility in theocratic government – all rules/laws based on Bible Rational over religious thought – looking to science and logic to explain things Rational over religious thought – looking to science and logic to explain things Rich immigrants Rich immigrants

Signs of Puritanism’s End Lack of godliness Lack of godliness Pride Pride “Heretics” – people not behaving religiously “Heretics” – people not behaving religiously Disrespect of Sabbath; swearing, sleeping during church Disrespect of Sabbath; swearing, sleeping during church Family government issues Family government issues Discord among society members – litigation/suing over many superficial things Discord among society members – litigation/suing over many superficial things

Cont. Sexual and drinking sins – living together/having children without marriage; alcoholism Sexual and drinking sins – living together/having children without marriage; alcoholism Immoral business practices – cheating Immoral business practices – cheating No desire to make positive change No desire to make positive change No real social behavior No real social behavior

Credits Reuben, Paul P. “Early American Literature to 1700 – American Puritanism: A Brief Introduction.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature A Research and Reference Guide – An Ongoing Project. 17 Oct Oct Reuben, Paul P. “Early American Literature to 1700 – American Puritanism: A Brief Introduction.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature A Research and Reference Guide – An Ongoing Project. 17 Oct Oct