1. “Between Heaven and Hell”
The Puritan Tradition
Pages

2. Purpose for discussion
To introduce the Puritan Unit
To explore the authors, key events and history and ideology that created this literature
To review the elements of fiction
To introduce literary and poetic terminology that will be used

3. Key events in American Literature
1640- First book printed in America-Bay Psalm Book
Anne Bradstreet is publishing
1704-First American newspaper is established- Boston Newsletter
1741- Jonathan Edwards delivers his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
Anne Bradstreet published “Upon the Burning of Our House” and became the first notable American poet. Her second poem “To My Dear and Loving Husband” was not originally intended for public view. This would have caused quite a stir among the Puritans since Anne and her family were well to do. Many people, women especially, did not like the fact that Anne was not playing the role of the traditional house wife and Puritan lady.

4. Key Events in American History
1630- Massachusetts Bay Colony established
1676- King Phillip’s War ends
Quakers make many important statements and political moves
1692- Witchcraft trials take place in Salem, Massachusetts
1676- War was between Puritans and Native Americans-ended Native Americans strong hold in New England. Caused them to migrate to other places
1682- Quakers led by William Penn live in peace with Native Americans in Pennsylvania
1688- Quakers oppose slavery
1691- New charter provides for religious tolerance in Massachusetts weakening the Puritan control

5. The Puritans
Puritans are. . .
Have the students describe the puritans

6. Puritan Values Hard Work Self Sacrifice Art Material Success
Family Life
Community Service
Art
Literature
Religion
Wealth was considered the reward of a virtuous life
Most Puritans wore black because it was all they had
Those that had more money wore more expensive clothes that were more colorful
First group of people to establish a printing press, free public schools and a college (Harvard)
Intolerant of viewpoints that differed religiously
Arrogant in thought that theirs was the only way

7. Puritan Beliefs
Human beings are inherently evil and so must struggle to overcome their sinful nature.
Personal salvation depends solely on the grace of God, not on individual effort.
The Bible is the supreme authority on Earth.
Believe in original sin-in children’s book A is Adam “In Adam’s fall/We sinned all”
Believed that God picked ahead of time who went and who didn’t. You had to directly experience God through a conversion to know that you were saved
Used Bible as law book. Made churches more like democracies but also made them more intolerant. Use Bible to justify the land that they took from the Native Americans. Believed they were the chosen people like the Israelites

8. Modern Looks at the Puritans
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Arthur Miller
Hawthorne’s grandfather was a judge in the witch trials. Hawthorne was fascinated by the psychological effects of sin and guilt. Wrote the Scarlet Letter which took place during Puritan times
Arthur Miller wrote in reaction to modern witch hunts-warns against the injustices of our time

9. Definitions Refresher on the Elements of Fiction
Plot-Sequence of actions and events.
Conflict-Struggle between opposing forces.
Internal-Within the character.
External- Between the character and an outside force.
Character-People, animals or beings who take part in the action of the story.
Static-Do not change though situations may.
Dynamic- Evolve and change learning from their experiences.

10. Definitions Refresher on the Elements of Fiction
Setting-Time and place of a story.
Mood- Feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader.
Theme-Central idea the writer intends to share.
Point of View-Narrative perspective from which the story is told.

11. Definitions continued
Bias-Prejudice or mental leaning toward or against something
Characterization-Techniques a writer uses to develop characters
Dialect-Distinct form of language spoken in one geographical area or by a social or ethnic group
Dialogue- Conversation between two or more characters. In drama this is how the story is told

12. Definitions continued
Figurative Language-Language that gives ideas beyond the literal meaning of words.
Foreshadow- Writer’s use of hints or clues to indicate events that will occur in a story.
Irony-Contrast between appearance and actuality.
Situational-What is expected to happen and what actually happens.
Dramatic- Readers know more about a situation than the characters.
Verbal- States one thing but means another.

13. What we will experience
“The Examination of Sarah Good” Transcript from Salem Court Documents
“To My Dear and Loving Husband” and “Upon the Burning of Our House, July 10th, 1666” Poems by Anne Bradstreet
“Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God” Sermon delivered by Jonathan Edwards

14. The Authors Anne Bradstreet
View of Ordinary Puritan
Well educated
Mother and writer
Well respected but caused scandals
Her work shows a just God who ruled heaven which was less extreme than what most people believed.
Was given tutors and access to a private library. Could speak Greek, Latin, Hebrew and French
Had eight children. Filled all her responsibilities as a mother and prominent wife and wrote during the night
Brother-in-law went to England and published her poems without her knowledge. She later had some published.
Many women were envious and did not like the fact that she worked. They thought that this made her less of a good Puritan but not much was said because she and her husband were so prominent.

15. The Authors- Jonathan Edwards
Religious Calling
Center of the Great Awakening
Wrote righteous works
Studied at Yale and had a conversion experience that changed his views
Had surprising conversions as the minister in North Hampton and people began to turn to him
Was known for his powerful preaching
Mostly wrote sermons but wrote some other religious works. Was dismissed from the church because he wanted to limit the church to those “born again” so became a missionary and eventually the president of Princeton

16. Homework
Read “The Examination of Sarah Good” on page 144
And

17. Link to Puritans and Pilgrims