Literature of the Puritans

Pilgrims/Puritans Sailed over on the **Mayflower** to Mass Religious reformers Trying “purify” Church of England Trying to build “a city on the hill” (Model based on the Bible) John Calvin’s predestination led to intense self-evaluation and search for grace, which is seen in literary and oral traditions. Valued religious devotion and work over private feelings. Lasting impact: “Puritan Ethic”of hard-work and self-discipline remains an American value.

Puritan Life As you watch this video, jot down puritan values and other interesting details. Form an opinion about the validity of the video’s perspective on Puritans and Native Americans. Puritan Life (10 min) Puritan Life Discuss

Puritan Literary Style Like their life on the new frontier: strenuous, serious, realistic Like their religious convictions: rational, orderly, sober

Puritan Literary Style Like their lives of modest, simple, utilitarian clothes, furnishings and customs: Puritan Plain Style : short words, direct statements, and references to common objects and experiences

Anne Bradstreet The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America, 1650 Ref. to 9 muses that inspired ancient Greek poetry. Bradstreet is the 10 th, American muse? First woman and first poet published in the British North American colonies Wrote privately, published by brother-in-law unbeknownst to her Despite being a devote puritan wife and mother, she found time to write and express deep emotions.

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can.

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can. Rhyme scheme?

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can. Neat rhyming couplets

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can. Neat rhyming couplets What is her main idea in this stanza and what tone does she set?

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can. Neat rhyming couplets She loves her husband very much. If/Then statements create a logical (Puritan) tone. Remember God set things rationally in place

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can. Neat rhyming couplets She loves her husband very much. If/Then statements create a logical (Puritan) tone. Remember God set things rationally in place Interesting change in audience?

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can. Neat rhyming couplets She loves her husband very much. If/Then statements create a logical (Puritan) tone. Remember God set things rationally in place Switch from speaking to husband into speaking to other women. Why?

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold, or all the riches that the East doth hold. My love is such that rivers cannot quench Nor ought but love from thee give recompense Thy love is such I can no way repay. What two metaphors are seen in these lines and what do they mean? What is the only thing that her love needs?

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold, or all the riches that the East doth hold. My love is such that rivers cannot quench Nor ought but love from thee give recompense Thy love is such I can no way repay. Her love for him is more valuable than riches and can’t be quenched by even a river. She just needs his love in return.

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet Thy love is such I can no way repay. The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love let's so persevere That when we live no more, we may live ever. How do the first 2 lines reflect her faith?

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet Thy love is such I can no way repay. The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love let's so persevere That when we live no more, we may live ever. She prays God will repay his love manifold: “many times” What’s adding to the beauty of the language here?

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet Thy love is such I can no way repay. The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love let's so persevere That when we live no more, we may live ever. She prays God will repay his love manifold: “many times” Alliteration!

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” Re-write the poem in modern language. Use complete sentences and no slang/inappropriate terminology. What do poetic devices such as tone, figurative language, rhyme scheme and alliteration add to the poem?

Conceit (extended metaphor) Metaphor: Figurative Language Compares two unlike things Does NOT use like or as (That’s a simile) Conceit: Continues a metaphor throughout several lines or an entire poem.

Edward Taylor Puritan who came to Boston in Graduated from Harvard College and accepted a position as minister and physician in Westfield, Mass. (Walked 100 in the snow to get there!) Hardships: Local battles between Puritans and Native Americans 5/8 children died and so did his young wife. Did not allow poems to be published as they would have been self-worship.

“Huswifery” by Edward Taylor Make me, O Lord, Thy spinning wheel complete, Thy holy word my distaff make for me. Make mine affections Thy swift flyers neat And make my soul thy holy spoole to be. My conversation make to be Thy reel And reel the yarn thereon spun of Thy wheel. Describe the give and take between man and God in this conceit.

“Huswifery” by Edward Taylor Make me Thy loom then, knit therein this twine: And make Thy holy spirit, Lord, wind quills Then weave the web Thyself. The yarn is fine. Thine ordinances make my fulling mills. Then dye the same in heavenly colors choice. All pinked with varnished flowers in paradise. Huswifery means house- keeping. Why use this conceit?

“Huswifery” by Edward Taylor Then clothe there with mine understanding, will, Affections, judgment, conscience, memory My words, and actions, that their shine may fill My ways with glory and thee glorify. Then mine apparel shall display before Ye That I am clothed in holy robes for glory. How does he transition into a more common religious image?

HW: Read “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Look for examples of the following types of rhetoric (persuasion): Ethos: Appeal to Credibility of Speaker Pathos: Appeal to Emotions Logos: Appeal to Logic Imagery: Appeal to 5 senses

“Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards About the author: One of the most significant religious intellectuals in American history. (Went to what is now 13 and was valedictorian) Calvinist, believed in predestination Gave this sermon with no emotion in his face or voice. A look at the American world at the time, along with The Great Awakening (11min) A look at the American world at the time, along with The Great Awakening

“Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards Re-read paragraphs 1-2 In paragraph 1: How does Edwards appeal to the listener’s emotions (pathos)? What Puritan belief does he reveal about man’s part in his own salvation?

Paragraph 1 Images of Hell: “Burning Brimstone” “Dreadful pit of glowing flames” Audience shaming Use of “you” (not we or he)

“Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards Re-read paragraph 3 List all of the images

Images: “heavy as lead” “black clouds” “big with thunder” “rough wind” More!

“Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards Re-read paragraphs 4-8 What re-occurring image does Edwards use in paragraph 4? Why might this be especially persuasive? List words with a negative connotation that Edwards associates with God.

Reoccurring image: Water Puritans made a difficult journey across the Atlantic

Words with negative connotation Wrath Angry Destruction Loathsome Abhor Abominable More

“Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards Read paragraphs 9-12 How does Edwards describe God? Does this sound like the God of your religion or of a religion you’re familiar with? Explain.

God is described as: “Vastly disproportionate to your strength” Ready to pity you for a limited time. Omnipotent Lamb Eternal decision maker Does this sound like your understanding of God?

“Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards Finish the selection: What shift of tone can be seen in the end of Edwards’ sermon?

Shift in Tone Starts: Frightening, Angry, Negative Ends: With a glimmer of hope: “land of the living” “opportunity to obtain salvation” “extraordinary opportunity” “rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God” “Awake and fly from wrath”