1. Puritans

2. Early America 1500’s and 1600’s
Early colonists did not call themselves “Americans” until the mid 18th century
1585 – 1590 Lost Colony of Roanoke Island (91 men, 17 women)
1606 King James I divided Eastern seaboard
1607 Arrived and established Jamestown
1616 New export saved their lives – tobacco
1619 First Slaves arrive at Jamestown to work tobacco fields
1620 Pilgrims landed at Plymouth
1624 John Smith publishes General History of Virginia
1630 William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation

3. Massachusetts Bay Colony
1630 Established Massachusetts Bay Colony
1635 First Public School founded in Boston
1636 First college, Harvard, is founded as seminary
1638 First colonial press
1640 First American published book, The Bay Psalm Book
1650 Anne Bradstreet’s poems
1682 Mary Rowlandson’s account of captivity with Algonquians
1693 Cotton Mather publishes The Wonders of the Invisible World in defense of Salem Witch Trials.

4. 1700’s 1704 America’s first newspaper, The Boston Newsletter
1739 The religious revival, The Great Awakening begins
1741 Jonathan Edwards Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
1773 Boston Tea Party
1776 Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense passionately arguing case for independence
1776 Declaration of Independence
1781 British defeat at Yorktown ends Revolutionary War
1787 Constitution approved
1789 The Interesting Narrative on the life of Olaudah Equiano

5. Puritan Beliefs
Critical of Church of England, Anglican Church, for being “too Catholic” – robes, kneeling, fancy ornaments, organ music, bishop appointment of ministers
They gave up trying to purify church, thus being called Separatists.
Humans exist for the glory of God
Bible is sole expression of God’s will
Doctrine of the Original Depravity
Adam and Eve broke the covenant with God
All people were sinners and damned
Doctrine of the Predestination
Only the Elect would go to heaven
Continually searched souls for signs of God’s grace
Being good would not change your damnation

6. Puritan Literature
Theological studies Sermons Hymns Auto/Biography Histories Serious self examination NO fiction or drama Plain writing where clear statement is the highest goal Ornate clever style is vanity Purpose: to provide spiritual insight and instruction

7. Puritan Values
Education – created America’s first schools Within 4 years, voted to create first college and established within 6 years Hard Work “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” “Puritan Work Ethic” Family Life Community Service Self-sacrifice Anything unknown or mysterious is of the devil Supremacy of Divine Will Natural phenomena is the will of God Un-natural events caused by the Devil’s witches Theocracy: Government controlled by the church

8. Characteristics of Puritan Writing
The Bible provided a model for Puritan writing – each individual life was a journey to salvation.
They saw a direct connection between Biblical events (allusions) and their own lives.
From R Wilton

9. Characteristics of Puritan Writing
They used writing to explore the inner and outer lives for signs of the workings of God.
Diaries and histories were the most common types of literature.
They favored a “plain style” and stressed clear expressions over complicated figures of speech.
From R Wilton

10. William Bradford
Of Plymouth Plantation
Described hardships of journey to New World; unshakeable belief in God.
Plain Style of writing - few figures of speech or metaphors.

11. Mary Rowlandson
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.

12. Anne Bradstreet
The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America…By a Gentlewoman in Those Parts
Published in England without her knowledge by her brother-in-law
Explores religion and personal relationship with God.
Difference - Use of metaphor in writing.

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

14. Works Cited
Dolan, Jennifer. Puritan Literature in America. Henry County Schools, McDonaugh, GA PPT.