2. Introduction to the Puritans and their Literature

3. Puritans  Definition: Group of Protestants who wanted to “purify” the Church of England.  Believed religion was a “personal, inner experience” and that clergy or government could not come between God and the individual  Suffered persecution in England.  Small group led by William Bradford came to the New World in 1620.

4. Puritan Beliefs  Most of humanity “damned” by sin of Adam and Eve.  Select few would be saved. Those people could be identified by their saintly behavior. When God bestowed his grace on them, they were “reborn”.  Values: self-reliance, hard-work, moderation, and simple living

5. Puritan Politics  Contract or covenant exists between God and humanity.  Idea of contract between people and government stems from that idea.  Rather undemocratic - felt that the “saintly elect” should have great influence in politics

6. Characteristics of Puritan Writing  Bible provided model - individual life is a “journey to salvation.” Connections between Biblical events and own lives.  Used writing to explore their inner and outer lives for signs of God’s work.  Diaries and histories most common.  Plain style stressed clear expression and avoided complicated figures of speech

7. Major Authors of the Puritan Period – 1600’s-1800

8. 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.

9. Mary Rowlandson  1636-1678  A Narrative of Captivity  Story of capture by Native Americans; endured many hardships  Saw her story as reflection of Bible stories of hardship- used allusions to Biblical stories.

10. Anne Bradstreet  1612-1672  The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America…By a Gentlewoman in Those Parts – a book of her poems  Published in England without her knowledge (first published book written by an American woman).  Explores religion and personal relationship with God.  Difference - Use of metaphor in writing.  “Upon the Burning of Our House”

11. Edward Taylor  1642-1729  The Poetical Works of Edward Taylor  Differed from other Puritan writers - use of metaphor in writing.  Explored how his identity was shaped by “God’s Grace”.

12. Huswifery by Edward Taylor Make me, O Lord, thy Spinning Wheel complete. Thy Holy Word my Distaff make for me. Make mine Affections thy Swift Fliers neat And make my Soul thy holy Spool to be. My Conversation make to be thy Reel And reel the yarn thereon spun of thy Wheel. (Elements of Literature, Fifth Course 73).

14. Analysis of “Huswifery”  Examines personal relationship with God.  Shows belief in God’s “grace” and rebirth as a “saint” here on earth.  Differences: Use of metaphor to compare life and self to weaving and spinning wheel - avoids the “plain style.”

15. Jonathan Edwards  1703-1758  Fire and brimstone imagery.  Helped bring about the Great Awakening.  Tyrannical pastor - extreme and strict - humans “lowly sinners.”  The last Puritan

16. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”  “Men are held in the hand of God” – the fate of human beings is controlled by God  “unconverted persons in this congregation” – members who do not accept Christ as their savior  “Bow of God’s wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string” – God is prepared to demonstrate his anger  “let everyone fly out of Sodom” – turn away from their wicked ways immediately

17. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”  According to Edwards, humans have done nothing to appease God  Edward taps his audience’s fear of burning forever in a fiery pit (hell)  Presents God as a being who is often angry and vengeful  Creates a sense of urgency and peril by suggesting that death and damnation can occur at any moment  Only way to escape God’s anger is by experiencing a change of heart and accepting Christ

18. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”  Comparisons Edwards makes:  Wickedness to the weight of lead  Wrath of God to damned waters  Unsaved people to spiders

19. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”  Purpose of the sermon is cause his congregation to mend their ways and seek salvation  Why does Edwards compare God’s fury to natural things?