📚American Literature – Before 1800 Unit 3 – Puritan Poetry and Sermons

Historical Context

• Puritanism emerged in England during the late 16th and early 17th centuries as a religious reform movement within the Church of England
• Puritans sought to purify the Church of England from remnants of Roman Catholicism and establish a middle course between Catholicism and the English Reformation
• Puritans faced persecution in England under the reign of James I and Charles I, leading many to seek religious freedom in the New World
• The Mayflower Compact (1620) established a self-governing colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts, based on Puritan principles
• The Massachusetts Bay Colony (1629) became a major center of Puritan settlement and influence in New England
  • Governed by John Winthrop, who envisioned a "City upon a Hill" as a model Christian community
• Puritans played a significant role in shaping the social, political, and religious landscape of colonial New England throughout the 17th century
• The Salem Witch Trials (1692-1693) marked a period of religious fervor and social upheaval in Puritan society

Key Puritan Beliefs

• Emphasis on the sovereignty of God and the doctrine of predestination
  • Belief that God has predetermined who will be saved (the elect) and who will be damned
• Belief in the total depravity of human nature due to original sin
• Emphasis on the importance of personal salvation through faith alone, not by works
• Belief in the authority of the Bible as the ultimate source of religious and moral guidance
• Emphasis on the importance of living a disciplined, moral life in accordance with God's will
• Belief in the importance of education and literacy to enable individuals to read and interpret the Bible for themselves
• Rejection of religious ceremonies and practices deemed unscriptural, such as the veneration of saints and the use of religious images

Major Puritan Writers

• John Winthrop (1588-1649): Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and author of "A Model of Christian Charity"
• Anne Bradstreet (c. 1612-1672): First published female poet in colonial America, known for her poems exploring faith, family, and the role of women
• Edward Taylor (c. 1642-1729): Poet and minister, known for his introspective and metaphysical poetry, including "Preparatory Meditations"
• Michael Wigglesworth (1631-1705): Poet and minister, famous for his poem "The Day of Doom," which vividly depicts the Last Judgment
• Cotton Mather (1663-1728): Minister and author, known for his involvement in the Salem Witch Trials and his book "Magnalia Christi Americana"
• Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758): Theologian and minister, known for his sermons, including "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," and his philosophical works

Themes in Puritan Poetry

• Spiritual struggle and the search for salvation
  • Poets often explored their own spiritual journeys and the challenges of maintaining faith in the face of adversity
• The relationship between the individual and God
  • Emphasis on personal devotion, prayer, and meditation as means of connecting with the divine
• The fleeting nature of earthly life and the importance of preparing for the afterlife
• The beauty and wonder of God's creation, often used as a means of praising the Creator
• The role of women in Puritan society and the challenges they faced in reconciling their faith with their prescribed social roles
• The political and social issues of the day, such as the struggle for religious freedom and the establishment of a godly commonwealth

Structure and Style of Puritan Sermons

• Typically followed a three-part structure: doctrine, reasons, and application
  • Doctrine: The main theological or biblical point to be expounded upon
  • Reasons: Arguments and evidence supporting the doctrine, often drawn from scripture and logic
  • Application: Practical implications of the doctrine for the lives of the congregation
• Sermons were often lengthy, sometimes lasting several hours, and were delivered from memory or with minimal notes
• Use of plain, direct language aimed at conveying complex theological concepts to a broad audience
• Frequent use of biblical allusions, quotations, and typology to reinforce the authority of the message
• Emphasis on the use of rhetorical devices, such as repetition, antithesis, and metaphor, to engage the audience and drive home key points
• Sermons often reflected the social and political concerns of the time, addressing issues such as religious dissent, moral decay, and the role of the church in society

Literary Techniques and Devices

• Use of plain, unadorned language to convey spiritual truths and reflect the Puritan emphasis on simplicity and directness
• Frequent use of biblical allusions and typology to reinforce the authority of the message and connect contemporary events with scriptural narratives
• Emphasis on the use of metaphor and simile to illustrate abstract concepts and create vivid imagery
  • Example: In "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," Jonathan Edwards compares the soul to a spider dangling over the flames of hell
• Use of repetition and parallelism to reinforce key ideas and create a sense of urgency or intensity
• Employment of antithesis to highlight contrasts and underscore the stark choice between salvation and damnation
• Use of personification to imbue abstract concepts or inanimate objects with human qualities, often to convey a sense of divine presence or spiritual significance

Influential Works and Their Impact

• "A Model of Christian Charity" by John Winthrop (1630): Sermon that laid out the Puritan vision for a godly commonwealth and the idea of a "City upon a Hill"
• "The Day of Doom" by Michael Wigglesworth (1662): Long narrative poem that vividly depicted the Last Judgment and reinforced Puritan beliefs about salvation and damnation
• "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards (1741): Sermon that exemplified the Great Awakening style of preaching and emphasized the urgency of repentance and salvation
• "The Sovereignty and Goodness of God" by Mary Rowlandson (1682): Captivity narrative that recounted Rowlandson's experiences during King Philip's War and explored themes of faith, providence, and cultural encounter
• "Poems" by Anne Bradstreet (1650): Collection of poems that showcased Bradstreet's skill as a poet and her reflections on faith, family, and the role of women in Puritan society
• "Magnalia Christi Americana" by Cotton Mather (1702): Comprehensive history of the Puritan settlement in New England that celebrated the region's religious and social achievements

Legacy and Modern Interpretations

• Puritan literature and thought have had a lasting impact on American culture, particularly in terms of the emphasis on individualism, work ethic, and moral responsibility
• Puritan ideas about the relationship between church and state, religious freedom, and the role of education have shaped American political and social institutions
• The Puritan emphasis on plain language and direct communication has influenced American literary style and rhetoric
• Modern scholars have reexamined Puritan literature through various critical lenses, such as feminism, postcolonialism, and cultural studies
  • Example: Feminist readings of Anne Bradstreet's poetry have highlighted her subversive critiques of gender roles and assertions of female agency
• The Puritan legacy has been both celebrated and critiqued, with some emphasizing the Puritans' commitment to education and social reform, while others have pointed to their intolerance and rigid moral codes
• Puritan literature continues to be studied and adapted in modern contexts, such as Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible" (1953), which uses the Salem Witch Trials as an allegory for McCarthyism