American Literature: Puritanism/Colonialism INTRODUCTION American Literature: Puritanism/Colonialism (1590-1750) Mrs. Huggins

Historical Background Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock Historical Background Pilgrims & Puritans Puritans were originally members of the Church of England Having given up hope of “purifying” the church, they chose to withdraw and become “Separatists”; we know them as “Pilgrims” Established settlement in what is now Plymouth, MA With help of Native Americans, they survived the rigors of North America Eventually the colony was absorbed by larger Massachusetts Bay Colony, which was founded by religious reformers. These were religious reformers who were critical of the Church of England. They sought religious freedom, in that they wanted to create a settlement that was based on a theocracy, where the state ran under the immediate guidance of god. They hoped to establish a community guided by all aspects of the Bible.

A City Upon a Hill Puritans hoped to establish a model community guided by all aspects of the Bible John Winthrop, governor of the colony, coined the phrase Their form of government was a theocracy, or a state under the immediate guidance of God Puritans believed that human beings exist solely for the glory of God.

Puritan Belief Human beings exist for glory of God Bible is sole expression of God’s will Predestination/John Calvin “Puritan Ethic”: accomplish good only through continual hard work and self-discipline They followed the notion that God has already decided who will achieve salvation and who will not (Calvinism). Still, they searched their souls with great rigor and frequency for signs of grace.

The Great Awakening Series of religious revivals beginning around 1720 Reaction against decline of Puritanism in New England Led by ministers Jonathan Edwards & George Whitefield American Virtues: hard work, frugality, self-improvement, self-reliance This attracted thousands of converts to Protestant groups, but did little to revive old-fashioned Puritanism. Puritan ideals can still be founded in American culture today.

Plantation Owners Southern Colonies differed from New England in the following: Large plantations Inhabited by thousands, many enslaved Plantation system & Slavery Aristocrats Plantation system to replace Puritanism There was a large discrepancy in lifestyles of New England Puritans and those in the South. Beyond the southern cities were large plantations, not small farms, that were agricultural enterprises and centers of commerce. The first slaves were brought to New England in 1619, a year before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth. Most of the plantation owners were Church of England members, and they regarded themselves as aristocrats Way of life on most plantations was more elegant than Puritanism, and by 1750, Puritanism was in decline everywhere, while the plantation system in the south was reaching its peak.

Literature of the Period Puritan Literature Religious writings: Theological studies Hymns Histories Biographies Autobiographies Purpose of writing to provide spiritual insight, instruction, or self-examination Poetry for spiritual enlightenment Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor Most modern Puritan writings would not be considered literary works. Rather their writings were predominated by their strong religious belief. They felt the purpose of writing was largely to provide spiritual insight and instruction. When Puritans wrote for themselves, in journals or diaries, they generally were self-examining. Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor stand out among the Puritan writers for their devotional and personal voices in a conventional Puritanism theme.

Education 1636 founded Harvard College Education was for men & women 1636 founded Harvard College Printing Press developed in 1639 1647 free public schools established in Massachusetts New England Primer published in 1690 combining instruction in spelling reading and moralistic teachings, such as “In Adam’s Fall/We sinned all” Education was very important to Puritans. They founded Harvard College in 1636 and later would name the city Cambridge to honor the British city where many of the colonists had studied. One of the first books printed in the colonies was the Bay Psalm Book, the standard hymnal of the time.

Puritan Literary Style New England Puritans Plain writing style Ornate or clever style sign of vanity Practical writing designed to describe experiences, insight into the period, convey religious thoughts, to educate Southern Puritans Did not oppose fiction or drama First theater in America opened in Williamsburg, VA in 1716

William Bradford (1590-1657) Born in Yorkshire, England Followed Puritans to America Of Plymouth Plantation (published in 1856) Bradford provides account of experiences of early settlers in Massachusetts William Bradford was governor of the first colony (elected after the death of the first governor) As governor he oversaw: Repayment of debts to financial backers Encouraged new immigration Established good relations with Native Americans Instituted town meetings Wrote in Puritan Plain Style: characterized by short words, direct statements, and references to ordinary, everyday objects