American Literature: Puritanism/Colonialism
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INTRODUCTION American Literature: Puritanism/Colonialism (1590-1750) Mrs. Huggins
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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.
Transcript of American Literature: Puritanism/Colonialism
INTRODUCTIONAmerican Literature: Puritanism/Colonialism
(1590-1750)Mrs. Huggins
Historical BackgroundPilgrims & PuritansPuritans were originally members
of the Church of EnglandHaving 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.
Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock
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
Puritan Belief Human beings
exist for glory of GodBible is sole
expression of God’s will
Predestination/John Calvin
“Puritan Ethic”: accomplish good only through continual hard work and self-discipline
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
Plantation Owners Southern Colonies
differed from New England in the following:Large plantationsInhabited by
thousands, many enslaved
Plantation system & Slavery
AristocratsPlantation system to replace Puritanism
Literature of the Period
Puritan LiteratureReligious writings:
Theological studiesHymnsHistoriesBiographiesAutobiographies
Purpose of writing to provide spiritual insight, instruction, or self-examinationPoetry for spiritual enlightenmentAnne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor
Education Education was for men & women1636 founded Harvard CollegePrinting Press developed in 16391647 free public schools established in
MassachusettsNew England Primer published in 1690
combining instruction in spelling reading and moralistic teachings, such as “In Adam’s Fall/We sinned all”
Puritan Literary StyleNew England Puritans Plain writing styleOrnate or clever style sign of vanityPractical writing designed to describe
experiences, insight into the period, convey religious thoughts, to educate
Southern PuritansDid not oppose fiction or dramaFirst 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
