Write a brief response to this example of pages from a Puritan schoolbook. You can compare to now, ask questions, or make observations.

Puritanism and Romanticism In American Literature

Why these topics? Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter, wrote during the Romantic period of American Literature The Scarlet Letter is set approximately 200 years before it was written; its setting is during the time when the Puritans were the dominant societal force in Massachusetts, where the novel is set

Who were the Puritans? There were Puritans in both England and in the (soon to be) United States These were English protestants during the 1600s-1700s “Puritan” was not exactly a religion– it was more of a philosophy and lifestyle centered on strict religious beliefs The best way to discuss Puritanism is to examine Calvinism

Calvinism and the Puritans The Puritans were very concerned about the outward appearances that would indicate whether or not a person was saved, or “elect” They did not want to be around or associate themselves with people who were not “elect” This judgmental concern about outward appearances is not a hallmark of Calvinism; instead, it is the way this society decided to live Many people believe one or more points of Calvinism without being Puritans!

Calvinism Protestant philosophy John Calvin (reformer) Usually discussed through 5 points acronym, TULIP T = total depravity U = unconditional election L = limited atonement I = irresistible grace P = perseverance of the saints

Many people believe one or more points of Calvinism without being Puritans!

Calvinism T = total depravity This element of Calvinism relates to the inherently sinful nature of man. People who believe in this point believe that the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden means that we are all born in sin No one is innocent, and we, on our own, cannot escape our enslavement to sin

Calvinism U = unconditional election This aspect of Calvinism means that once God has decided to save a person through His mercy, that person will definitely be saved Key idea: God’s mercy is what saves people

Calvinism L = limited atonement This aspect of Calvinism relates to the sacrifice of Jesus This belief means that Christ’s sacrifice applies only to the people who God has decided to save In other words, the erasure of sins applies only to the elect, not to people who are not elected

Calvinism I = irresistible grace This tenet of Calvinism means that if God has saved you, you cannot resist it It’s not a choice or a decision on your part, it just is what it is

Calvinism P = perseverance of the saints This means that if you are saved, you cannot fall into sin If you can fall into sin, you must not be saved

Many people believe one or more points of Calvinism without being Puritans!

Beliefs Life should be lived with individual and complete conformity to the teachings of the Bible Life is lived to the glory of God Moral purity is a priority at all times Puritans strove to do God’s will to ensure their future happiness Did not believe in celebrations (like Christmas)

Beliefs Not tolerant of other religions or beliefs Had a law against the practice of any other religion in Massachusetts; this law carried the death penalty Divorce was acceptable if a spouse wasn’t meeting his or her marital responsibilities Demons are real and live among us; these evil forces will succeed in drawing those who are not elect from the path of righteousness

Social Life Family was the center of life Husbands = head of the household, spiritual authority Wives = job was to be submissive (but spiritually equal); authority on raising children and housekeeping Children = obey parents until adolescence; then a break from parents was encouraged for spiritual growth Men were considered the “public authority,” whereas women were considered the “house and home” authorities Women were not considered spiritually inferior, but it was their duty to behave submissively

Life in the New World Believed their presence in North America was a calling from God They had been given this “paradise” in which to build a righteous community Outlawed other religions Feared nature and Native Americans (after all, they could not be considered “saved” by Puritan standards)

Here is a picture to represent Puritanism.

… and another

… and another.

But this represents Romanticism.

So does this.

And this.

And definitely this.

Life in the United States The Revolution and everything is over and done with We are talking states, centralized government, freedom of religion, etc. Nature and the expanse of the US was revered and celebrated Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-1806 Indian Removal Act of 1830 The Scarlet Letter published in 1850

Romanticism Hawthorne called the novel “a romance” He did not mean “romance” the way we do A romance is a work that has emotional truths, but may sway past factual truth Otherworldly spiritual elements can play a part Spirituality separate from religion Hawthorne sought to define romantic literature through his works

Romanticism in general Artistic, musical, literary movement from approximately 1800-1850 Reaction to the stark rationalism of the Enlightenment Valued feelings and emotions (not just reasons and logic) Free expression Liberalism The “worst sin” is to be derivative (unoriginal)