Puritan Literary Movement

Puritan Lit Movement Characteristics 1600-1750 Well-Known Writers of the time– Jonathan Edwards, Anne Bradstreet, William Bradford Focus Religion--reinforces authority of Bible and church; theocracy Style Realistic, plain style (frowned upon entertainment—no fiction or drama) Archaic language, heavy use of metaphor Mostly diaries, sermons, histories, poetry, biographies Philosophy God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and present everywhere Every event has double meaning– real and spiritual All sinners (everyone) must live a holy life Believed in original sin. God elects who will be saved. Conformity is the key to a well-run society

Figurative Language, Poetic Devices, and Anne Bradstreet Puritan Poet

To Help You Clarify Meaning Archaic language – words that were once in common use but are now considered old fashioned or out-of-date “To thine own self be true” (Hamlet by William Shakespeare). 

William Bradford 1590-1657 Of Plymouth Plantation Described hardships of journey to New World; unshakeable belief in God. Plain Style of writing - few figures of speech or metaphors.

Figurative Language Metaphor – compares two unlike things without using like or as The night was a curtain. Extended metaphor – draws out a comparison and relates the two things at length over several sentences or lines. The comparison is sometimes extended throughout an entire work (allegory). The night was a curtain, drawn over the lit sky to quickly shade the streets and buildings across the city landscape. The people hide behind the shadow of darkness, hoping no one can see their sinister activities.

Parts of a Metaphor Tenor: The idea to be conveyed (literal) Vehicle: The concepts that are invoked by the words (figurative) She is a rock. His feet were bricks.

Extended Metaphor "I graduated from the University of Life. All right? I received a degree from the School of Hard Knocks. And our colors were black and blue, baby. I had office hours with the Dean of Bloody Noses. I borrowed my class notes from Professor Knuckle Sandwich and his Teaching Assistant, Ms. Fat Lip.” -Will Ferrell, Commencement Address at Harvard University

Student Examples The boots were a cozy little cottage. They kept all my toes snuggled and confined to the little comforting structure. They made me feel relaxed and at ease. The boots hid my family of toes from everyone else to see. The judicial system is a broken clock. On the outside, it might seem fine, but internally, it is wound up and rusted. One wrong gear could cause its lovely exterior to break, showing the inner workings in need of repair.

Student Examples The cafeteria is a jungle—wild animals scrambling for food, grunting like wild boars, stampeding to the line, devouring their prey, cleaning their paws, and then returning to their dens

Practice Use the Extended Metaphor Practice sheet to better understand what an extended metaphor is. Example: As sly as a cat As arrogant as a king A cat is a king. It walks around the house ruling everything. The others serve it and tend to its every need while it never shows the slightest sign of gratitude. As dainty as a daisy As smooth as a newborn baby A daisy is a newborn baby, beautiful yet delicate. One wrong move and it will fall apart. If cared for, it can grow into something beautiful and strong.

Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) Immigrated with her husband alongside John Winthrop’s Puritan group; raised eight children One of the first poets to write English verse in the American colonies Brother-in-law published her poetry in England without her knowledge

Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) Bradstreet’s poetry: shows her spiritual growth as she came fully to accept the Puritan creed was deeply personal and often written only for her family to see centers around her role as a mother, her struggles with the sufferings of life, and her Puritan faith.

Upon the Burning of Our House July 10th, 1666 Follow along in your text as you listen to the poem. Look for: Archaic Language Extended Metaphor

Discussion What is Bradstreet struggling with throughout the poem? What vivid memories does Bradstreet have of the house that has been destroyed? What events had Bradstreet hoped to experience in that house? How does Bradstreet envision the house that will be hers after her death?