The Puritans and Their Literature
1. Introduction
American Puritan literature is characterized by the religious tenets of the Puritan movement that established itself in the 16th and 17th centuries. This was a time when many people were searching for a new way to live and express their faith. The Puritans were a group of people who wanted to purify the Church of England and make it more simple and austere. They believed in predestination, depravity, and the importance of hard work. They also believed in living a simple life focused on God, family, and community. The Puritans established their own system of beliefs and rules that was implemented into a literary school that attracted many authors of that period. The most notable Puritan writers are William Bradford, Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor, and Jonathan Edwards.
2. What is Puritanism?
Puritanism was a religious movement that established itself in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Puritans were a group of people who wanted to purify the Church of England and make it more simple and austere. They believed in predestination, depravity, and the importance of hard work. They also believed in living a simple life focused on God, family, and community. The Puritans established their own system of beliefs and rules that was implemented into a literary school that attracted many authors of that period.
3. The Puritan Style
The Puritan style is characterized by its simplicity and directness. It is often didactic in nature, meaning that it is designed to teach or instruct. The purpose of Puritan literature was not to entertain but to edify, or improve the soul. This style is seen in the works of William Bradford and Anne Bradstreet, two of the most notable Puritan writers.
4. Puritan Intentions in their Literature
The main intention of Puritan literature was to improve the soul and teach moral lessons. The writers believed that by reading their work, people would be able to see the errors in their own lives and learn how to live more correctly. In addition to being didactic, Puritan literature is also characterized by its frankness about sin and human nature. The writers did not shy away from discussing difficult topics such as death, disease, and sexuality.
5. Notable Puritan Writers
Some of the most notable American Puritan writers are William Bradford, Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor, and Jonathan Edwards.
William Bradford was a Pilgrim leader who wrote one of the most important works of American history, Of Plymouth Plantation (1630-1650). This work details the founding of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts and provides insights into the daily lives of the colonists.
Anne Bradstreet was one of the first female poets in America and her work is considered some of the best poetry from that period. Her poem “To My Dear Husband” is a famous expression of her love for her husband and her dedication to him despite all odds.
Edward Taylor was a minister who wrote religious poems that are some of the finest examples of metaphysical poetry in America. His poem “Huswifery” is a complex exploration of human nature and spirituality.
Jonathan Edwards was a theologian and philosopher whose work influenced generations of thinkers both inside and outside of America. His most famous work, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (1741), is a fiery sermon about the wrath of God and the dangers of hell.
6. Conclusion
American Puritan literature is characterized by the religious tenets of the Puritan movement that established itself in the 16th and 17th centuries. This was a time when many people were searching for a new way to live and express their faith. The Puritans were a group of people who wanted to purify the Church of England and make it more simple and austere. They believed in predestination, depravity, and the importance of hard work. They also believed in living a simple life focused on God, family, and community. The Puritans established their own system of beliefs and rules that was implemented into a literary school that attracted many authors of that period. The most notable Puritan writers are William Bradford, Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor, and Jonathan Edwards.