Colonial American Literature

John Smith: A True Relation of Virginia Relates the founding of Jamestown in 1607 Jamestown was founded primarily by young men seeking economic success Written primarily to attract potential colonists to America. Promoted America as a means to individual well-being, liberty, and improved social status.

Pocahontas

The Pilgrims Had no ambitions for riches (in contrast to Jamestown). Instead, they were seeking religious freedom for themselves. Set sail from Holland for America on September 16, 1620 on the Mayflower. 149 people were aboard, 47 of them crew. Half were women or children. Half died during the first winter in America, partly due to the two month voyage William Bradford told the story of the voyage and settlement in Of Plymouth Plantation (1656)

Cutaway of the Mayflower, 1620

The Puritans Most of our information about the Puritans comes from the Great Migration to the Massachusetts Bay Colony (further south) from Major authors are John Winthrop and Anne Bradstreet Winthrop delivered “A Model of Christian Charity” aboard the Arbella. He famously declared that the colony would “be as a city upon a hill,” a reference to Jerusalem

Puritan Beliefs and Values They believed the Bible was God’s covenant with them. They saw themselves as a chosen people and identified with the Israelites in Exodus (typology) They sought to cleanse the culture of what they regarded as sinful and corrupt practices They believed in God’s supreme authority over human life. They believed themselves authorized by God to go forth and take dominion over the earth. They felt that Satan was an active force in their world

The Puritans were Calvinists and believed in Predestination (election). All events are foreknown and foreordained by God. God decides who will be saved from Hell or damned. No amount of good works could change what is predestined for you.

Puritans believed in the doctrine of Original Sin. All human beings are born sinful and corrupt by inheriting the Sin of Adam and Eve (the Fall). “In Adam’s Fall, We sinned all.”

Puritans valued education. Individuals must be literate in order to read the Bible, and every individual was expected to encounter the scripture firsthand. Every community of over fifty families was required by law to have a public school.

The Puritans were intolerant and believed that opposition must be driven out. Puritans expelled dissenters, including Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams. Those who returned risked capital punishment.

Puritan Writing The Puritans wrote for the purpose of enlightenment, not entertainment. Their writing functioned to glorify God. They wrote in “plain style,” without ornateness and ornamentation Their writing reflected the character of the public, which was literate and well-grounded in religion There was no drama or fiction.

Puritan Political Life Theocracy: Belief that the church and state are one. There is a blurring of political and religious authority Voting was restricted to church members Any social infraction was a church infraction