Of Plymouth Plantation Written by William Bradford (1590-1657)

Bradford’s Timeline 1609: Fled to the Netherlands with the Scrooby Separatists. 1620: Sailed on the Mayflower to New England landed upon Cape cod. 1621-1656: Served as governor on the Mayflower to New England 1630-1651: wrote Of Plymouth Plantation

Pertinent Facts about Bradford Admired as a Christian and a writer. Recounts the history of the Pilgrims ~The tribulations before coming to the New World Son of an English (British) farmer Orphaned at 16 Became a member of Scrooby Separatists 1609-Maker of linen & cotton (non prosperous) Great supporter of the migration to the New World.

Pertinent Facts about Bradford Continued… He & his wife, Dorothy, arrived in 1620 on the Mayflower (they left their young son behind). She drowned before they settled at Cape Cod. Some people think that she committed suicide. He remarried & had three children. Good administrator Negotiated fairly, but firmly with the Indians ~Example: When an Indian tribe tried to scare them by sending by sending them a bunch of arrows wrapped in a snakeskin, Bradford ordered that the snakeskin be sent back with bullets in it.

Pertinent Facts about Bradford Continued… Not a professional writer No one really knows why he felt led to write Of Plymouth Plantation in 1630. Possible reasons why: He may have wanted to make sure that the Pilgrims weren’t overlooked by history. Once the colony was established he may have had more time on his hands for leisurely writing.

Written in 1620 published in 1820.

Who are these people? Why are they here? What are they able to get accomplished based on intelligence and courage?

Faith Early thinkers would believe that their religion and faith would carry them through.

In Class Reading from Chapter 9 Most famous chapter of this history Contains a celebrated contrast between two young men. ~Ungodly sailor & Godly saint ~One who dies an untimely death & others who experience a miraculous rescue. Paragraph 2 ~Uses 3rd Person -Method of storytelling in which a narrator relates all action in 3rd person pronouns such as “he” or “she.”

Chapter 9 Continued… He was present with them, yet speaks of them (Pilgrims) in 3rd person Why does he do this? ~Smith did this also. Maybe out of modesty or to seem more trustworthy to his readers Biblical Allusions ~God’s providence Classical Allusions ~Roman Stoic philosopher, Seneca Other imaginative comparisons: ~Plight of the Pilgrims/Paul’s shipwrecked company.

Chapter 9 Continued… Pilgrim’s Plight ~Hostile Indians ~Hostile Weather ~Hostile Environment ~Separated from home by ocean ~No ship to retreat to ~Netherland Brethren couldn’t help them. ~They could only look to God for help. Final Paragraph ~Filled with scriptural quotations ~Moving testimony to Bradford’s & the Pilgrims’ faith -The Bible has an uncanny way of soothing the distressed soul.

In Class Reading from Chapter 11 Foundation of government for Plymouth Some Mayflower passengers didn’t plan on honoring their previous commitments ~Remember that ½ of them were not Pilgrims, but strangers (Bradford’s term) The rest of the chapter: ~Disastrous first winter (over ½ died) ~Surprising discovery of English speaking Indians in New England. ~Squanto – “sent by God” -Corn planting Peace until Pequot War in New England