PuritansPuritans

Life and Literature Life and Literature

Pilgrims and PuritansPilgrims 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”

Plymouth, MasachusettesPlymouth, 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

Massachusetts Bay ColonyMassachusetts 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

Puritan BeliefsPuritan 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

Puritan Work EthicPuritan 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

Puritan LiteraturePuritan 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

Puritan PoetryPuritan 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)

The Value of EducationThe 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

First Books PrintedFirst 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

Cotton MatherCotton 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