1. Between Heaven and Hell: The Puritan Tradition
PURITANISM
Between Heaven and Hell:
The Puritan Tradition

2. Typical Puritan Quote
What can you infer about the Puritan’s attitude toward their mission in the New World from Governor Winthrop’s words?
“The Lord will make our name apraise and glory, so that men shall say of succeeding plantations: ‘The Lord make it like that of New England.” For we must consider that we shall be like a City upon a Hill; the eyes of all people are on us.”
-JOHN WINTHROP
First Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony

3. Laying to Rest the Misconceptions about the Puritans
Puritans were arrogant in their religious faith and completely intolerant of viewpoints different from their own.
Due to the success of the revolt in England that resulted in the beheading of King Charles I, the colonized Puritans went about with extreme confidence in setting up their institutions as though not only God but the whole world were watching.
Puritans were just as materialistic as any one of us; they considered wealth to be a reward of a virtuous life. The nicer the clothes, the more virtuous the soul.

4. Defining Puritanism
Movement in the late 16th and 17th centuries that sough to “purify” the Church of England, leading to civil war in England and to the founding of the colonies in North America.
Puritans wanted to purge the existing English church of its Catholic remnants rather than to set up a rival church.
Reformation: break with Roman Catholicism and the establishment of the Protestant Church in the 16th century; Martin Luther and King Henry VIII

5. Puritan Beliefs
Human beings are inherently evil and so must struggle to overcome their sinful nature.
One of the first things a Puritan child learns is Original Sin (Adam’s fall)
Personal salvation depends solely on the grace of God, not on individual effort.
Predestination – God has long ago determined who will be saved and who will be damned – the “elect”
The Bible is the supreme authority on earth. (Old Testament)
Governs not only moral and spiritual life, but church and society as a whole.

6. Anne Bradstreet First American poet to publish a book of poems
A Puritan who struggled with the difficulties of life on the frontier and believed in leading a life guided by the principles of grace, plainness and divine mission.
A woman who faced criticism from men who claimed that a woman’s hand “fits a needle better” than a pen
Well-educated, wealthy, came from an influential family who encouraged her writing and helped her publish; the private support counteracted any public disapproval.

7. Bradstreet’s Poetry
She focused primarily on the realities of her life – her husband, her children and her house
Like any conscientious Puritan, she viewed her life within a spiritual context
While talking about the things important to her life, she still conveyed a message about Heaven, the Elect, God’s will and the path to salvation.
Note the meter/rhythm of her poetry
Be aware of the use of archaic language and inverted syntax (unusual word order).

8. Classwork and Homework
Read both poems and answer questions from textbook pages 114 – 121: 1-8
Homework: “Sinner’s in the Hands of an Angry God” – pages 122 – 130: 1-7
Vocabulary words (test Friday): anomaly, unremitting, unscathed, untenable, immutable, impartial, impious, incorporeal, insatiable, intrepid