1. Puritans Life and Literature

2. Pilgrims and Puritans  A small group of Europeans sailed from England on the Mayflower in 1620  Religious reformers called puritans  Critical of the church of England and had stopped trying to “purify it from within  They decided to separate themselves “Separatists” or “Pilgrims”  A small group of Europeans sailed from England on the Mayflower in 1620  Religious reformers called puritans  Critical of the church of England and had stopped trying to “purify it from within  They decided to separate themselves “Separatists” or “Pilgrims”

3. Plymouth, Masachusettes  They landed in North America and established a settlement-Plymouth  This settlement survived but stayed small until becoming part of Masachusettes Bay Colony  A similar colony of religious reformers  They landed in North America and established a settlement-Plymouth  This settlement survived but stayed small until becoming part of Masachusettes Bay Colony  A similar colony of religious reformers

4. Massachusetts Bay Colony  These religious reformers did not withdraw from the Church of England  They were still hoping to purify from within in America by establishing a “City on a Hill”  A model community guided by the Bible  Government was a Theocracy  These religious reformers did not withdraw from the Church of England  They were still hoping to purify from within in America by establishing a “City on a Hill”  A model community guided by the Bible  Government was a Theocracy

5. Puritan Beliefs  Theocracy: state guided by God  Humans exist for the glory of God and the Bible is the sole expression of God’s will  Predestination: John Calvin’s doctrine who will and will not be saved has already been decided  Theocracy: state guided by God  Humans exist for the glory of God and the Bible is the sole expression of God’s will  Predestination: John Calvin’s doctrine who will and will not be saved has already been decided

6. Puritan Work Ethic  Felt that they could accomplish good through continual hard work and self- discipline: “Puritan Ethic”  Hard Work, frugality, self-improvement, and self-reliance  The affluent religion/culture until 1700  Felt that they could accomplish good through continual hard work and self- discipline: “Puritan Ethic”  Hard Work, frugality, self-improvement, and self-reliance  The affluent religion/culture until 1700

7. Puritan Literature  Just as religion dominated their lives, it also dominated their writings  They typically wrote hymns, theological studies, histories, bios, and autobios  Purpose- to provide spiritual insight, instruction, or serious self-reflection  No fiction or drama;seen as sinful  Just as religion dominated their lives, it also dominated their writings  They typically wrote hymns, theological studies, histories, bios, and autobios  Purpose- to provide spiritual insight, instruction, or serious self-reflection  No fiction or drama;seen as sinful

8. Puritan Poetry  They did however write poetry as a vehicle of spiritual enlightenment  Not concerned with literary form as with the message  Talented Poets: Anne Bradstreet (personal voice) & Edward Taylor (devotional intensity)  They did however write poetry as a vehicle of spiritual enlightenment  Not concerned with literary form as with the message  Talented Poets: Anne Bradstreet (personal voice) & Edward Taylor (devotional intensity)

9. The Value of Education  They believe both men and women should be educated  1636 Harvard College was founded  1638 the first printing press  1647 free public schools were opened  1690 The New England Primer was published- spelling and moral readings  They believe both men and women should be educated  1636 Harvard College was founded  1638 the first printing press  1647 free public schools were opened  1690 The New England Primer was published- spelling and moral readings

10. First Books Printed  Bay Psalm Book- standard hymn book  Increase Mather: one author of Bay Psalm, minister, author of 130 books  1693: Cases of Conscious Concerning Evil- a discourse on Salem witchcraft trials that resulted in the hanging of 20 people  Bay Psalm Book- standard hymn book  Increase Mather: one author of Bay Psalm, minister, author of 130 books  1693: Cases of Conscious Concerning Evil- a discourse on Salem witchcraft trials that resulted in the hanging of 20 people

11. Cotton Mather  Increase’s eldest son; published 400 books  His works on witchcraft helped stir up the hysteria that led to the trials  He was known for his intellect and power in the state  Believed the more content a book contained, the better the style  Increase’s eldest son; published 400 books  His works on witchcraft helped stir up the hysteria that led to the trials  He was known for his intellect and power in the state  Believed the more content a book contained, the better the style