Puritans Early American Literature An Emerging Nation 1620 - 1720

The Puritans: A Brief History Unable to express their religious sentiments and tired of persecution, the Puritans immigrated to New England in the 1620’s. They believed they were chosen by God to create a new order in America. Massachusetts was soon settled as a Puritan commonwealth.

Puritans In England many individuals believed that the Church of England was too Catholic and desired further separation. Viewed themselves as soldiers in a war against Satan. Aim was to “purify” Christianity. Believed that it could be reformed from within, and they were persecuted.

Puritan Beliefs Human history is a progression toward fulfillment of God’s design on earth. God’s hand is present in every human event. God rewards good, punishes bad Struggle with sin is a daily mission. Every detail is significant and means something in God’s plan. Hard work, responsibility and thrift are morally good.

Government under a Theocracy The Puritan Church, was proclaimed the “governing body of the state.” Treason against God meant treason against the state. The Puritan church held exclusive control over the lives of the people. No pope, bishop or king has the right to impose any law upon the soul. Success will come to one who is looked upon favorably by God.

Puritan Beliefs Original Sin: All people, including newborn children, are basically sinful. Every person inherits the sin of Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden Eternal Punishment: All wicked people will be punished by being sent to hell, a place of fire and torment where they will remain forever.

Puritan Beliefs "Fire and Brimstone in Hell", a book by a Puritan minister (1670). He quotes :"Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest…. Salvation through Grace: All people were basically sinful and no one could be good enough to deserve heaven. The only way a person could get into heaven was through God’s salvation through grace, given to them despite what they actually deserved.

Puritan Beliefs Being “Born Again”: When a person repented of his or her sins and accepted God’s grace, the Puritans said that these people were “born again.” That is, they had given up their old life and started a new life in Christ.

Puritan Beliefs Predestination: God knows, from the beginning of time, who will go to hell and who will go to heaven. A person’s fate is already determined, or predestined. In 1637 Anne Hutchinson was banished from Massachusetts for holding religious meetings in her home. She refused to stick closely to the rules of Puritan worship.

Other Elements of Puritanism Only the “elect” would be saved. Looked for signs to show they were elect. Heavy emphasis on the word of God, the Bible. Sermon was the regular medium of communication. Sermons accompanied every public event. Two sermons on Sundays. Pure word of God & transformation by Holy Spirit.

Salem Witch Trials 1692 Hysteria of a witch-hunt ended with 20-25 people executed. First people accused were social outcasts: a slave, a homeless beggar, sickly old woman ( shown on right ). Top photo shows "afflicted" girl fallen on the floor in front of the judge’s bench. Her accuser stands in front of the judges holding her right hand over her heart and gesturing upwards, declaring her innocence before God.

Mob Mentality What makes people act as a mob? What are some of the results of mob action? What fuels a mob?

Suspicion & Hysteria Trials were held & women were stripped to check for the mark of the devil. Church members claimed to have seen the witch’s spirit performing witchcraft. No one was safe.

Spectral Evidence The accused in the Salem witch trials were prosecuted on "spectral evidence."  They believed the devil has the power to create images or impressions of figures in order to afflict people and to lead them astray.  English courts refused to prosecute capital offenses on the basis of "spectral evidence" only.  That was not the case in New England.  During the witch trials the accused girls claimed that various people of Salem had appeared to them to lead them into witchcraft and to cast spells upon them. Furthermore, they claimed to see "specters“ (a black cat, wolf, bird) even in the courtroom.  The magistrates accepted such evidence as admissible for judgment and sentencing. 

Puritan Writing- Plain Style Puritans valued reason, logic, clarity and order in writing more than elaborate words. One Puritan writer compared this idea to stained glass windows. “The paint upon the glass may feed the fancy, but the room is not lighted by it.” Much of American literature is direct, powerful and plain due to the Puritans. It uses simple sentences and everyday language. There is little imagery. Bradford writes in Of Plymouth Plantation, “It was granted the dangers were great, but not desperate. The difficulties were many, but not invincible.”

The Crucible (What does it mean?)

cru·ci·ble noun \ˈkrü-sə-bəl\ : a pot in which metals or other substances are heated to a very high temperature or melted : a difficult test or challenge : a place or situation that forces people to change or make difficult decisions 1 :  a vessel of a very refractory material (as porcelain) used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat 2 :  a severe test 3 :  a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development