Literary Periods The Puritans

Who were the Puritans? Puritanism begin in the 16th Century in Europe Puritans came to America in search for religious freedom – Settled in the New England Area The Puritans were well educated and devout Christians Interpreted the Bible harshly They believed in predestination Dancing, Drama, and Music were often banned as “distractions” Puritans founded Harvard College

What did the Puritans look like?

How did they live? Puritans had a very restricted life The Bible and religion were the basis of their living Church was mandatory, several times a week Puritans believed that men were born evil and needed to salvation Most lived as farmers and worked from sunrise to sunset “Idle hands are the Devil’s playground!” Family life was extremely important Women have very few rights

Beliefs about Religion Belief in predestination, that God has predetermined one’s fate. The Puritans believed that the Bible was God's true law, and that it provided a plan for living. The devil was behind every evil deed. Constant watch needed to be kept in order to stay away from his clutches. The Devil could appear in many forms

God’s Anger / Hyperbole Luke 3: 7-9 He said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance; and do not begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father,” for I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.   Ezekiel 25: 17 I will execute great acts of vengeance on them, punishing them furiously. Thus they shall know that I am the Lord, when I wreak my vengeance on them.

…Continued… Revelation 6: 8-17 I looked and there was a pale green horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades accompanied him. They were given authority over a quarter of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and plague, and by means of the beasts of the earth. When he broke open the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the witness they bore to the word of God. They cried out in a loud voice, “How long will it be, holy and true master, before you sit in judgment and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?” Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to be patient a little while longer until the number was filled of their fellow servants and brothers who were going to be killed as they had. Then I watched while he broke open the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; the sun turned as black as a dark sackcloth and the whole moon became like blood. The stars in the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs shaken loose from the tree in a strong wind. Then the sky was divided like a torn scroll curling up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. The kings of the earth, the nobles, the military officers, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid themselves in caves and among mountain crags. They cried out to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come and who can withstand it?”

Question What was the impact of religion on the Puritan way of life?

Salem Witch Trials 1692 Began with accusations of witchcraft from the town’s children. Belief that the Devil had infiltrated Salem. People began making false accusations as revenge for petty grievances. Stats: Over 150 accused and imprisoned, 29 convicted, 19 executed (Others died in prison) This event is arguably the most well known about Puritan History in America.

Literature to Study Upon the Burning of Our House Anne Bradstreet Sinners at the Hand of an Angry God Jonathon Edwards Other Literature will be set in Puritan America, but will be written later. Examples: The Crucible, The Devil and Tom Walker, The Scarlet Letter, Young Goodman Brown.