1. American Literature: Puritanism/Colonialism
INTRODUCTION
American Literature: Puritanism/Colonialism
( )
Mrs. Huggins

2. Historical Background
Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock
Historical Background
Pilgrims & Puritans
Puritans were originally members of the Church of England
Having given up hope of “purifying” the church, they chose to withdraw and become “Separatists”; we know them as “Pilgrims”
Established settlement in what is now Plymouth, MA
With help of Native Americans, they survived the rigors of North America
Eventually the colony was absorbed by larger Massachusetts Bay Colony, which was founded by religious reformers.
These were religious reformers who were critical of the Church of England. They sought religious freedom, in that they wanted to create a settlement that was based on a theocracy, where the state ran under the immediate guidance of god. They hoped to establish a community guided by all aspects of the Bible.

3. A City Upon a Hill
Puritans hoped to establish a model community guided by all aspects of the Bible
John Winthrop, governor of the colony, coined the phrase
Their form of government was a theocracy, or a state under the immediate guidance of God
Puritans believed that human beings exist solely for the glory of God.

4. Puritan Belief Human beings exist for glory of God
Bible is sole expression of God’s will
Predestination/John Calvin
“Puritan Ethic”: accomplish good only through continual hard work and self-discipline
They followed the notion that God has already decided who will achieve salvation and who will not (Calvinism). Still, they searched their souls with great rigor and frequency for signs of grace.

5. The Great Awakening Series of religious revivals beginning around 1720
Reaction against decline of Puritanism in New England
Led by ministers Jonathan Edwards & George Whitefield
American Virtues: hard work, frugality, self-improvement, self-reliance
This attracted thousands of converts to Protestant groups, but did little to revive old-fashioned Puritanism. Puritan ideals can still be founded in American culture today.

6. Plantation Owners
Southern Colonies differed from New England in the following:
Large plantations
Inhabited by thousands, many enslaved
Plantation system & Slavery
Aristocrats
Plantation system to replace Puritanism
There was a large discrepancy in lifestyles of New England Puritans and those in the South. Beyond the southern cities were large plantations, not small farms, that were agricultural enterprises and centers of commerce.
The first slaves were brought to New England in 1619, a year before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth.
Most of the plantation owners were Church of England members, and they regarded themselves as aristocrats
Way of life on most plantations was more elegant than Puritanism, and by 1750, Puritanism was in decline everywhere, while the plantation system in the south was reaching its peak.

7. Literature of the Period
Puritan Literature
Religious writings:
Theological studies
Hymns
Histories
Biographies
Autobiographies
Purpose of writing to provide spiritual insight, instruction, or self-examination
Poetry for spiritual enlightenment
Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor
Most modern Puritan writings would not be considered literary works. Rather their writings were predominated by their strong religious belief. They felt the purpose of writing was largely to provide spiritual insight and instruction.
When Puritans wrote for themselves, in journals or diaries, they generally were self-examining.
Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor stand out among the Puritan writers for their devotional and personal voices in a conventional Puritanism theme.

8. Education 1636 founded Harvard College
Education was for men & women
1636 founded Harvard College
Printing Press developed in 1639
1647 free public schools established in Massachusetts
New England Primer published in 1690 combining instruction in spelling reading and moralistic teachings, such as “In Adam’s Fall/We sinned all”
Education was very important to Puritans. They founded Harvard College in 1636 and later would name the city Cambridge to honor the British city where many of the colonists had studied.
One of the first books printed in the colonies was the Bay Psalm Book, the standard hymnal of the time.

9. Puritan Literary Style
New England Puritans
Plain writing style
Ornate or clever style sign of vanity
Practical writing designed to describe experiences, insight into the period, convey religious thoughts, to educate
Southern Puritans
Did not oppose fiction or drama
First theater in America opened in Williamsburg, VA in 1716

10. William Bradford (1590-1657) Born in Yorkshire, England
Followed Puritans to America
Of Plymouth Plantation (published in 1856) Bradford provides account of experiences of early settlers in Massachusetts
William Bradford was governor of the first colony (elected after the death of the first governor)
As governor he oversaw:
Repayment of debts to financial backers
Encouraged new immigration
Established good relations with Native Americans
Instituted town meetings
Wrote in Puritan Plain Style: characterized by short words, direct statements, and references to ordinary, everyday objects