From Colony To Country: 1620-1800 The Puritan Tradition Lima Unit 2 11 English honors

From exploring to colonizing… Pirates, adventurers and explorers led to more permanent colonists Not just English Since England eventually took possession of North American colonies, the best known colonial-literature is English

The Colonial Period in New England New England- the northeastern United States Between 1630-1690, there were as many university graduates in the northeastern United States (New England) as in the mother country At that time, the most intellectuals were aristocrats who were unwilling to risk their lives in wilderness conditions The PURITANS were the exceptions Wanted to understand and execute God’s will as they established their colonies throughout New England

The First Puritans Pilgrims --the first Puritan colonists to settle in new England (Plymouth) “Separatists” --Disillusioned with the Church of England, they formed underground “covenanted” churches and swore loyalty to the church instead of the King Persecution – seen as both traitors and heretics Migrated from England to Holland and eventually the New World Exemplified Reformation Christianity They interpreted the Bible literally

The Puritan Lifestyle Puritans saw “earthly success” as a sign of election (whether or not they would be “saved” by God) Lifestyle rested on ambition, hard work, and success Wealth and social status were sought not only for themselves, but as welcome reassurances of spiritual health and promises of eternal life Felt that by advancing their own profit and community’s well-being, they were also furthering God’s plans All of life was an expression of divine will

Puritan Beliefs Human beings are inherently evil, and must struggle to overcome their sinful nature Original sin Personal salvation depends solely on the grade of God, not on individual effort Believed in predestination – all events are foreseen and foreordained by God only those “elected” by God are saved Individuals could only know that he/she was saved by directly experiencing God’s grace Bible = supreme authority on earth

Puritan Beliefs, cont’d Education was extremely important Schools were publicly supported Harvard was established in 1636 to train ministers Politically, a theocracy- line between religious and political authority was very blurry Those who do not agree/conform must be expelled/destroyed

Puritan Literature Puritans defined good writing as writing that “brought home a full awareness of the importance of worshipping God and of the spiritual dangers that the soul faced on earth.” Puritan writings focus on nonfiction and pious genres Complex, metaphorical poetry Sermons Theological Tracts Homely journals Religious History

Themes in Puritan Literature Life is a test Failure led to eternal damnation and hellfire Success led to heavenly bliss World is an arena of the constant battle between the forces of God and the forces of Satan, whom had many disguises Focus on Inner and Outer Events Inner- feelings, such as stages experienced on the road to salvation External- events seen as messages from God Style– VERY plain, like the Puritans Strong, simple and logical

William Bradford, cont’d. Came over on the Mayflower Elected governor of Plymouth in the Massachusetts Bay Colony Drafted the first document of colonial self-governance the “Mayflower Compact” Was the first historian of the colony Of Plymouth Plantation (1651) Deeply pious, self-educated man Learned several languages

Important Puritans in Literature Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) Emigrated to the colonies with her family at the age of 18 Daughter of an earl’s estate manager Married to a man who eventually became governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony (later became Boston) Wrote long religious poems on conventional subjects, such as the seasons, as well as poems about daily life, her husband and children

Anne Bradstreet, cont’d. Wrote the first book of poems ever by an American, which was also the first book ever published by an American woman The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America (1650) Published in England Wrote long religious poems on conventional subjects, such as the seasons, as well as poems about daily life, her husband and children Was inspired by English metaphysical poetry Often used Extended Metaphor Conceits Imagery, and comparisons

Important Puritans in Literature Edward Taylor (1644-1729) Former teacher who sailed to New England in 1668 rather than take an oath of loyalty to the Church of England Poet and minister Studied at Harvard College Never published his poetry, which was discovered in the 1930s Funeral elegies Lyrics Metrical History of Christianity Wrote about finding spiritual truth in the natural world “Upon a Spider Catching a Fly”

Important Puritans in Literature Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) The Great Awakening- religious revival that swept New England from 1734-1750 Calvinist Pastor Highly educated man devoted to law and authority Molded by his extreme sense of duty and rigid Puritan environment Best known for his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” (1741). Very powerful and moving