From From A Narrative of A Narrative of the Captivitythe Captivity

Mary RowlandsonMary Rowlandson

King Phillip’s WarKing Phillip’s War

From June 1675 – August 1676From June 1675 – August 1676 Wampanoag Chief Metacomet Wampanoag Chief Metacomet

(called King Phillip by the colonists) (called King Phillip by the colonists) Series of bloody raids on the colonial Series of bloody raids on the colonial

settlementssettlements Over settlers’ encroachment on Over settlers’ encroachment on

Native American landNative American land Difference in definition of “selling Difference in definition of “selling

land”land”

King Phillip’s WarKing Phillip’s War

Metacomet’s former assistant Metacomet’s former assistant (who had given information to the (who had given information to the colonists) was killed by his own colonists) was killed by his own people.people.

The Puritans tried and hanged his The Puritans tried and hanged his killers.killers.

Metacomet retaliated against the Metacomet retaliated against the Puritans.Puritans.

Mary RowlandsonMary Rowlandson

C. 1636-1711C. 1636-1711 Wife of Congregational minister Joseph Wife of Congregational minister Joseph

Rowlandson of Lancaster (30 miles Rowlandson of Lancaster (30 miles west of Boston)west of Boston)

February 1676 – She and her 3 February 1676 – She and her 3 children were kidnapped by a children were kidnapped by a Wampanoag raiding party.Wampanoag raiding party.

They were held for ransom for 11 They were held for ransom for 11 weeks and 5 days.weeks and 5 days.

Mary RowlandsonMary Rowlandson

After her release, she & her surviving After her release, she & her surviving children returned to her husband.children returned to her husband.

They resettled in Wethersfield, They resettled in Wethersfield, Connecticut.Connecticut.

In 1678 Mary’s husband died; a year In 1678 Mary’s husband died; a year later, she married Capt. Samuel later, she married Capt. Samuel Talcott, a wealthy landowner.Talcott, a wealthy landowner.

She remained in Wethersfield until her She remained in Wethersfield until her death in 1711.death in 1711.

From From A Narrative of A Narrative of the Captivitythe Captivity Provides a terrifying tale of Provides a terrifying tale of

frontier lifefrontier life Also, provides insight into the Also, provides insight into the

Puritan view pointPuritan view point Double visionDouble vision

– Events had both a physical and a Events had both a physical and a spiritual significancespiritual significance

Rowlandson’s PurposeRowlandson’s Purpose

She wished to demonstrate how She wished to demonstrate how her experience revealed God’s her experience revealed God’s purpose.purpose.

Her original title when published in Her original title when published in 1682: 1682: – The Sovereignty and Goodness of The Sovereignty and Goodness of

God, Together with the Faithfulness of God, Together with the Faithfulness of His Promises Displayed: Being a His Promises Displayed: Being a Narrative of the Captivity and Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary RowlandsonRestoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson

Biblical AllusionsBiblical Allusions

Puritans regarded biblical captivity Puritans regarded biblical captivity narratives, such as the enslavement narratives, such as the enslavement of the Israelites by the ancient of the Israelites by the ancient Egyptians, as allegories representing Egyptians, as allegories representing the Christian’s liberation from sin the Christian’s liberation from sin through the intervention of God’s through the intervention of God’s grace.grace.

Rowlandson includes several Rowlandson includes several references to to the Bible.references to to the Bible.

Chronological OrderChronological Order

Story is told in the order in which Story is told in the order in which events occur.events occur.

MovesMoves– To an Indian Village on the Ware To an Indian Village on the Ware

RiverRiver– The Fifth RemoveThe Fifth Remove– The Sixth RemoveThe Sixth Remove– The Move to Ashuelot ValleyThe Move to Ashuelot Valley