PURITANS
ENG III
The Puritans were religious reformers who wanted to ‘purify’ the Church of England
After leaving England, they decided to cross the Atlantic to the New World and start over, in the hopes of
establishing an ideal community founded on moral and religious values, or a “city upon a hill”
The Mayflower landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620
WHO WERE THEY?
Puritanism influenced almost EVERY aspect of colonial life
Predestination: God has already decided who will be saved
Puritan ethic: Hard work and self-discipline were extremely important
Self-examination and spiritual insight were extremely important as well
These aspects of Puritan life are evident in hymns, sermons, histories, journals and autobiographies of the
time
WHO WERE THEY?
Believed in the followings of John Calvin
Original Sin: Man is born corrupt because of Eve’s sin
Limited Atonement: Jesus only died for the elect, not for everyone
Elect: the select few that were saved
God’s grace could save us but only a select few
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
Were intolerant of other religions
Saw narrow-mindedness as a source of strength
Believed in hard work
Because they expected little of life, they were rarely disappointed
World filled with evil
World was a work house, not a play house
OTHER BELIEFS
Promoted education and reading
Must be able to read in order to read the Bible
Against anything the Bible is against, technology, democracy, pride, sleeping during sermons, divorce
Created first college, first bookstore, first newspaper
Very strict interpretation of the Bible—whatever the Bible said was the final word
OTHER BELIEFS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UENmCYs4sM
OMNIPOTENT
OMNIPOTENT
Having virtually unlimited authority or influence.
HITHERTO
This
HITHERTO
Up to this or that time
MITIGATION
MITIGATION
To cause to become less harsh or to make less severe or
painful.
SERMON
SERMON
A religious discourse delivered in public usually by a clergyman as a part of a worship service.
INEFFABLE
INEFFABLE
Incapable of being expressed in words.
“SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD”
Reader’s Notebook-pages 28-32
Role Audience Format Topic
Jonathan Edwards’ Mom
Congregation Letter Son was right with message and why
townspeople must change
Wife of Jonathan Edwards
Mother-in-law OR
Ladies of the Church
Letter Proud of her husband’s message
Adult in the congregation
Jonathan Edwards
Letter Response to the message
Child in the Congregation
Parent OR
Best Friend
Letter Response to the message
RAFT Activity
Ineffable
Sermon
Omnipotent
Mitigation
hitherto
VOCABULARY FOR SECTION 5
From “Sinner”
PURITANS IN AMERICAN LITERATURE
1. What message is Edwards conveying in this sermon? Quote two places where he directly states his purpose.
2. How does Edwards fit your image of a Puritan?
3. What is the main emotion Edwards uses to persuade his audience? Quote an example and explain how this example shows the emotion.
4. Create a bubble chart that has the word “wrath” in the middle. Find all the biblical illusions, stories, characters, and imagery that Edwards uses to describe God’s wrath. The answer this question: “How does each archetype add to the power of Edwards’s message?
QUESTIONS TO ANSWER
The pilgrims values religions devotion, work, and duty of private emotions. Yet, Anne Bradstreet’s poems are filled with her personal feelings. Should writers focus more on a sense of community or on their own individuality? Write a brief paragraph discussing your views.
COMMUNITY OR INDIVIDUALITY?
Quench – satisfy a thirst
Recompense – something given or done in return for something else
Manifold – in many ways
Persevere – continue despite hardships
VOCABULARY
• Arrived in Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630 at age 18• 8 children• Multiple illnesses• Writing was considered “unladylike”• She wrote for herself• First poet published in the new world• First female writer of any kind published in the new
world• Some consider her an early feminist• Purpose of her first publication was “to show that a godly
and educated woman could elevate her position as a wife and mother, without necessarily placing her in competition with men.”
ANNE BRADSTREET
Read “To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet. Answer the following questions:
1. What is your image of Anne Bradstreet after reading this poem? How does she fit the image of a Puritan?
2. In what ways is Anne Bradstreet and Jonathan Edwards alike? In what ways are they different? How does their literary works (“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” and “To My Dear and Loving Husband) compare? In what ways are they different?
READ: “TO MY DEAR AND…”