Mary Rowlandson AP Lang Lecture SMIC

Miniature Biography Mary Rowlandson Nationality: colonial American Lifespan – c. 1636 – 1678 Wife of Congregational minister of Lancaster, MA Of note: She and her 3 children were carried away by a Wampanoag raiding party that wanted to trade hostages for money. After 11 weeks and 5 days of captivity, Rowlandson’s ransom was paid. She only lived for 2 more years. Famous Book – A Narrative of the Captivity…

A Pioneer Mary Rowlandson established two important “firsts” in American literary history: 1. She was the first American writer to establish a new indigenous American literary genre (the captivity narrative). 2. She was the first woman in America to have a best seller. Her work A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson went through four editions within its first year of publication in 1682.

The full title of Rowlandson's captivity narrative is among the longest titles of literary works. Image to the right is the title page for the first publication in 1682. The following is the title she wrote for the second edition: The sovereignty and goodness of GOD, together with the faithfulness of his promises displayed, being a narrative of the captivity and restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, commended by her, to all that desire to know the Lord's doings to, and dealings with her. Especially to her dear children and relations. The second Addition Corrected and amended. Written by her own hand for her private use, and now made public at the earnest desire of some friends, and for the benefit of the afflicted. Deut. 32.39. See now that I, even I am he, and there is no god with me, I kill and I make alive, I wound and I heal, neither is there any can deliver out of my hand.

History of Her Captivity During the 1670s, in the New England area, tensions between native Americans and European settlers escalated resulting in King Philip’s War (1675-1676). Metacomet (known to the settlers as King Philip), chief of the Wampanoag Indians united with other native tribes in order to fight and protect their lands. On February 10, 1676, a Wampanoag party attacked Mary Rowlandson’s town, Lancaster, Massachusetts (30 miles west of Boston). As a result, Mary was taken captive. Her captivity narrative narrates her 20 removes (marching from one location to another). These removes took her on a journey of 150 miles, until she was ransomed for 20 pounds on May 2, 1676. She saw the death of her daughter and other relatives and friends.

Picture titled: Natives executing a Puritan woman

Question Despite her efforts to be accurate, Rowlandson’s journal is full of subjective reporting. Instead of using neutral language (words with neither positive nor negative connotations), subjective reporting relies on “emotionally loaded” words – words with strongly positive or negative connotations. Find the emotionally loaded words or phrases on the first page of the handout that reveal her attitude toward her captors. What words or phrases does Rowlandson use that a detached, objective historian would not use?

Question What conflicting attitudes, if any, does Rowlandson reveal toward her captors? Do you think her attitude toward her captors changes as the narrative progresses? Explain (by giving specific examples).

Question The Puritan’s habit of seeing specific meaning in their experiences helped them find significance in even very minor events. Describe at least 2 allusions to Biblical stories that Rowlandson makes during her captivity. In what specific ways does each of these Biblical stories resemble Rowlandson’s?