1. Puritan and Colonial Literature
American Literature A

2. Puritan Beginnings
Puritans were persecuted in England for belief the Protestant church needed to be “purified”
Moved to New England in 1620
Settled/colonized New England

3. Puritan Life Life was dominated by religion Emphasized education
Founded Harvard University in 1636
Valued self-reliance and hard work
Emphasized plain living and simplicity

4. Puritan Doctrine The Bible = sole source of God’s law
Belief in inherent evil of all humans
One must struggle to overcome sinful nature
Belief in predestination
Constantly judged each other’s behavior

5. Characteristics of Puritan Writing
Bible provided a model for writing.
Often quoted
Used as a comparison
Allusion
Writing was used to explore their lives for the workings of God.
Sermons, diaries, letters, hymns, biographies, theological studies

6. Reading Selections
Excerpts from Narrative of the Captivity, Mary Rowlandson
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God – Jonathon Edwards
“Puritan Code” – Jonathon Edwards
“Fear at Home” – article
The Crucible – Arthur Miller

7. Captivity Narratives Most widely read prose of 17th century
Contributed to poor relations between settlers and Indians
Some actually chose to stay with captors
Captives accept condition as a punishment from God = test of faith
Became PROPOGANDA asserting European superiority
Authors manipulated stories

8. Mary Rowlandson Wife of minister
1 of 24 captives from her town (Lancaster)
Captured by the Wampanoag tribe
Her and her three children taken
11 weeks and 5 days until ransom paid
For Puritans, events had both physical and spiritual purpose