1. Advanced Composition & Novel Mrs. Snipes
The Puritans
Advanced Composition & Novel
Mrs. Snipes

2. Who were the Puritans? Puritans were a branch of the Protestant church
Their movement began in the 16th and 17th centuries
Although they preferred to be called “the godly,” they were given the name “Puritans” for their struggle to reform or purify the Church of England

3. Two Types of Puritans: Separatists
Held irreconcilable differences with the Church of England; they thought the church was corrupt and that they must distance themselves from i
Were persecuted under various monarchies in England
First fled from England to Holland
Later, came to found the Plymouth Colony in America in 1620
Non-Separatists
Held less extreme views of the Church of England
Believed in church reform rather than an overthrow of the church
Came to America in 1630 and founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony

4. Doctrine of Election / Predestination:
Man is innately sinful; original sin means that we are incapable of any depravity
Only those who are chosen by God (the elect) are saved; salvation is not based on your beliefs or good works
The grace of Christ allows the chosen the strength to follow the will of God
The chosen will follow the path of righteousness

5. Predestination continued…
No one knew who was or was not saved. Puritans believed that you must have a conversion experience in order to be accepted by God. God’s grace was given to the chosen, and this grace was demonstrated through one’s behavior. Puritans would, therefore, reflect upon themselves (self-examination) for signs of this grace. So, even though they did not believe good works helped one get into heaven, they believed that living a godly life was evidence of being chosen.

6. As a result of their belief in predestination, Puritans:
Were always looking for signs
Scrutinized daily events
Thought there was always a reason for everything
Felt that God’s hand was in everything, no matter how insignificant

7. Puritan Beliefs & Values:
Puritans believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible
They believed in explicit readings of the Bible, as opposed to church doctrines
They did not believe in excess worship; they wanted no rituals, adornments, no stained glass, no cushioned pews, no singing, and no music
They wanted to keep things simple so that they could concentrate on God
There is a constant struggle between the forces of God and Satan
God rewards the good and punishes the wicked

8. Education & Work Ethic:
They believed in living a virtuous, self-examined life
They believed in strict discipline and had a strong work ethic
They felt that qualities that led to economic success were virtuous
They valued education
Harvard was founded in 1636 to train ministers
They wanted their children to get far away from the evils of England
Children were not allowed to play games; boys were taught to go hunting and fishing, while girls were taught how to run a household
Women were considered less capable intellectually, physically, theologically, and morally (Eve was the first sinner)
Literature for pleasure was highly censored

9. Puritan Literature & Writings:
They did not write for pleasure or entertainment. One reason was the fact that they were struggling to built their settlement. Another reason was the fact that they considered works of fiction frivolous and possibly immoral.
Types of texts:
- historical documents: preserving their history and offering justifications to relieve the guilt they felt over leaving relatives behind in England
- personal journals: as tools for self-reflection/ examination and as a way to look for signs of salvation
- poetry, but highly inspired by religious beliefs
- religious tracts

10. Puritan Plain Style:
Plain Style: a mode of expression characterized by its clarity, accessibility, straightforwardness, simplicity, and lack of ornamentation. In early America, the plain style aesthetic had broad cultural relevance, shaping the language of prose and poetry, the design of furniture and architecture, painting and other visual arts. Rejecting ornamental flourishes and superfluous decoration as sinful vanity, plain stylists worked to glorify God in their expressions rather than to show off their own artistry or claim any renown for themselves. This aesthetic appealed to both Puritans and Quakers.