Puritanism in New England Discussion Question The King is persecuting those people whose religious views do not match his own. You want to worship freely. You have two choices: Stay in England and declare your religious freedom OR Journey to the New World and create your own religious society What would you do? Puritan A broad term referring to a number of Protestant groups (Calvinists) that sought to purify the Church of England Wanted to return to a simpler form of worship Sought religious freedom Puritan vs. Pilgrim Puritan Did not withdraw from the Church of England Wanted to reform the church from within Pilgrims Gave up hope in reforming the Church of England Withdrew from the church Known as Separatists Puritans on the Speedwell Landing of the Pilgrims Plymouth Rock Yes, there was a rock. The Mayflower Compact Beliefs about Man All men are sinners. Two Groups: The elect (saved) Jesus died to save certain people. The unregenerated (damned) First Sermon at Plymouth The New England Primer (A-M) Beliefs about Writing Purposeto provide spiritual insight and instruction Purpose of journals and diaries self-examination Focused on morality, sin, and redemption Considered fiction and drama sinful Writing Style The Plain Style (by their standards) Everyday language Direct statement Simple sentence Biblical references Reflects their desire to return to a simpler form of worship Types of Writing Theological studies Hymns Journals Biographies Autobiographies Histories Poetry Anne Bradstreet Used as a vehicle of spiritual enlightenment More concerned about the message than the form Poetry Reasons for the Decline Too Strict Severe Punishments Public humiliation Long imprisonments Excommunication Banishment Hanging The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 The Great Awakening (1720) A series of religious revivals led by eloquent ministers Focused on Gods wrath Lasted about a decade Jonathan Edwards Plymouth Sound Today Literary Devices/ Techniques * Inversion- When a noun is shifted from its original post-verbal position to one before the main verb of the sentence. Example: Think about how Yoda talks, Named must your fear be before banish it you can. Or Size matters not,... Look at me. Judge me by size, do you? Not that hard, inversion is. Literary Device/ Techniques Biblical Allusion: A reference to the bible in a piece of literature. Ex from Moby Dick: "He was a remarkable Prime Minister with feet of clay (Melville) The reference here is to Daniel 2: 31-45, using the words 'feet of clay', which suggests the Prime Minister has roots with common people, with weaknesses just like all others. Biblical Allusions in Upon the Burning of our House Job 1:21 2 Chron. 32:8 Isa. 9:18-20 Jer. 17:4-7 Ezra 6: Cor. 5:1 Heb. 11:10 Luke 12:34