1. Write a brief response to this example of pages from a Puritan schoolbook. You can compare to now, ask questions, or make observations.

2. Puritanism and Romanticism
In American Literature

3. Why these topics?
Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter, wrote during the Romantic period of American Literature
The Scarlet Letter is set approximately 200 years before it was written; its setting is during the time when the Puritans were the dominant societal force in Massachusetts, where the novel is set

4. Who were the Puritans?
There were Puritans in both England and in the (soon to be) United States
These were English protestants during the 1600s-1700s
“Puritan” was not exactly a religion– it was more of a philosophy and lifestyle centered on strict religious beliefs
The best way to discuss Puritanism is to examine Calvinism

5. Calvinism and the Puritans
The Puritans were very concerned about the outward appearances that would indicate whether or not a person was saved, or “elect”
They did not want to be around or associate themselves with people who were not “elect”
This judgmental concern about outward appearances is not a hallmark of Calvinism; instead, it is the way this society decided to live
Many people believe one or more points of Calvinism without being Puritans!

6. Calvinism Protestant philosophy John Calvin (reformer)
Usually discussed through 5 points acronym, TULIP
T = total depravity
U = unconditional election
L = limited atonement
I = irresistible grace
P = perseverance of the saints

7. Many people believe one or more points of Calvinism
without being Puritans!

8. Calvinism T = total depravity
This element of Calvinism relates to the inherently sinful nature of man. People who believe in this point believe that the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden means that we are all born in sin
No one is innocent, and we, on our own, cannot escape our enslavement to sin

9. Calvinism U = unconditional election
This aspect of Calvinism means that once God has decided to save a person through His mercy, that person will definitely be saved
Key idea: God’s mercy is what saves people

10. Calvinism L = limited atonement
This aspect of Calvinism relates to the sacrifice of Jesus
This belief means that Christ’s sacrifice applies only to the people who God has decided to save
In other words, the erasure of sins applies only to the elect, not to people who are not elected

11. Calvinism I = irresistible grace
This tenet of Calvinism means that if God has saved you, you cannot resist it
It’s not a choice or a decision on your part, it just is what it is

12. Calvinism P = perseverance of the saints
This means that if you are saved, you cannot fall into sin
If you can fall into sin, you must not be saved

13. Many people believe one or more points of Calvinism
without being Puritans!

14. Beliefs
Life should be lived with individual and complete conformity to the teachings of the Bible
Life is lived to the glory of God
Moral purity is a priority at all times
Puritans strove to do God’s will to ensure their future happiness
Did not believe in celebrations (like Christmas)

15. Beliefs Not tolerant of other religions or beliefs
Had a law against the practice of any other religion in Massachusetts; this law carried the death penalty
Divorce was acceptable if a spouse wasn’t meeting his or her marital responsibilities
Demons are real and live among us; these evil forces will succeed in drawing those who are not elect from the path of righteousness

16. Social Life Family was the center of life
Husbands = head of the household, spiritual authority
Wives = job was to be submissive (but spiritually equal); authority on raising children and housekeeping
Children = obey parents until adolescence; then a break from parents was encouraged for spiritual growth
Men were considered the “public authority,” whereas women were considered the “house and home” authorities
Women were not considered spiritually inferior, but it was their duty to behave submissively

17. Life in the New World
Believed their presence in North America was a calling from God
They had been given this “paradise” in which to build a righteous community
Outlawed other religions
Feared nature and Native Americans (after all, they could not be considered “saved” by Puritan standards)

18. Here is a picture to represent Puritanism.

19. … and another

20. … and another.

21. But this represents Romanticism.

22. So does this.

23. And this.

24. And definitely this.

25. Life in the United States
The Revolution and everything is over and done with
We are talking states, centralized government, freedom of religion, etc.
Nature and the expanse of the US was revered and celebrated
Lewis and Clark expedition of
Indian Removal Act of 1830
The Scarlet Letter published in 1850

26. Romanticism Hawthorne called the novel “a romance”
He did not mean “romance” the way we do
A romance is a work that has emotional truths, but may sway past factual truth
Otherworldly spiritual elements can play a part
Spirituality separate from religion
Hawthorne sought to define romantic literature through his works

27. Romanticism in general
Artistic, musical, literary movement from approximately
Reaction to the stark rationalism of the Enlightenment
Valued feelings and emotions (not just reasons and logic)
Free expression
Liberalism
The “worst sin” is to be derivative (unoriginal)