American Literature in the Colonial Period - Puritanism

What is the time period

1451- 1776

Who started Puritanism

John Calvin

What did Puritans believe

• believed in a direct relationship with God which was not dependent on the Pope, a hierarchy of clergy, or complicated rituals

Where does their name derive from

desired purity for which they

What did Puritans strive for

Change within the Church in England while others wanted to separate from the Church completely (Separatists)

What was the center of puritan lives

Religion

What did they believe to be the great commanding reality in life

operation of God’s will

The Puritans were _____ - wanted no freedom of religion in their colony

intolerant

Puritans were concerned with their _______ (not their outer life)

inner life

The Puritans’ ideas were based on _______

the Bible

How did Puritans believe a man could earn favor from God

good acts

The Church was a __________. Only Church members could vote and hold office. An excommunicated person lost all of his property rights.

Theocracy (combination of Church and State)

They believed that man could _________________________ of God’s pity

prove worthy

What were thought to be devices of evil

Senses and Joy

All happenings were __________ from God

omens (signs)

The believed that man must _________ God’s will

accept - total control and acceptance of God’s will was the basis of their daily lives

What were their sermons intended to do

convince the reason, instruct the mind, and not to excite the imagination/ stir passion

What is the first point of John Calvin

1. Belief in the total depravity (evilness) of human beings

→ The natural man is vile for “in Adam’s fall we sinned all”

→ Inheritably sinful

What is the second point of John Calvin

2. Belief in the pre-destined election

→ From the beginning of time, God has determined the elect (who shall be saved)

→ Those who are not saved are damned to the perdition

→ If one is doomed, one is doomed, and no amount of faith and good works are apt to change that

→ destined to go to Heaven or Hell when you were born

What is the 3rd point of John Calvin

3. Belief in limited atonement

→ Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross only assures salvation to the elect

What is the fourth point of John Calvin

4. Belief in God’s grace as irresistable

→ The saving, transforming power of God is freely bestowed and can neither be earned nor refused

What is the fifth point of John Calvin

5. Belief in the perseverance of the saints

   → The elect will proceed undeviatingly to their full reward of bliss

Characteristic of Puritan literature:

The most frequent forms of writing were __________, ___________, _________, _________

diaries, histories, sermons, and poetry

Characteristic of Puritan literature:

They favored a ________ style with ____________________________________________

plain; clear expressions as opposed to complicated figures of speech

Characteristic of Puritan literature:

Common themes included _______________________

Realism and Pragmatism (practical and straight to the point)

Characteristic of Puritan literature:

Often ______ in tone

serious (not always)

Characteristic of Puritan literature:

Attempt to represent life ________

truly

Characteristic of Puritan literature:

Every event represents a ___________

Double reality

→ The even as a natural occurrence

→ The event as a message from or about God

Characteristic of Puritan literature:

Writing was used to explore their inner and outer lives for __________ of the workings of _____

signs; God

Puritan themes in writing

1. Absolute sovereignty - God rules the world

2. Providence - God directly intervenes in the world. He actively causes things to happen.

3. The elect - people are chosen by God to receive Divine Salvation.

4. Predestination - a person’s life will be predetermined

5. Every person is tempted by the devil

6. People learn about God through the study of the Bible. It was a constitution and guide for the community.

Name 2 Puritan authors

1. Anne Bradstreet

2. John Winthrop

Puritan ethics

• don’t waste time

• During leisure time go to Church, read the Bible, pray, and consider whether you are one of the elect

• On Sunday go to Church all day (do not waste this time)

• Spend life suffering and deciding whether strength is gained from suffering

• An even disposition should be maintained. Do not despite anyone.

• Exhibit temperance in food or drink.

• Ponder your death.

• Frivolity (laughter, novels, dances, gossiping) were frowned upon.

• Do not tolerate people of different religious persuasions.

• God is a “vengeful God” and will make everyone pay for every bad deed

Aspects of Puritanism in Modern society

• Rigid morality

→ the US is stereotypically ore strait-laced and conservative than comparative nations (like Euro countries)

Aspects of Puritanism in Modern society

• Self reliance

→ The idea of individualism, which is deeply ingrained in the American mind, is a product of the country’s Puritan origins because individuals were respected for their own religious direction

Aspects of Puritanism in Modern society

Democratic liberty

→ From the minds of the Puritans came men like Thomas Hooker, who suggested and promoted desire for equality and for freedom from unwarranted restraints

Aspects of Puritanism in Modern society

• Learning

→ Puritans believed that the ability to read the Bible was an essential skill for all members; thus, there was a great focus on education and on the founding of universities

What is a covenant

A legal contract between the Puritans and God

How are the Puritans similar to the Israelites

Both had a covenant with God, entered into new land, and believed they were the chosen ones from God

Identify two ways the Puritan colonists believed they wre like a “City Upon a Hill”

1. Believed their covenant with God made them superior

2. They believed if they turned against God that He would “no longer be on their side”

Who is Winthrop’s intended audience

Puritans

What is the purpose of Winthrop’s speech

outlines the ideals of a harmonious Christian community

To tell the Puritans to act as a City Upon a Hill