The American Puritans: Their Prose And Poetry

The American Puritans were a group of religious settlers who played a significant role in shaping the early history of America. Their strict moral code, fervent religious devotion, and unique way of writing left an indelible imprint on both the prose and poetry of the time. In this article, we will explore the rich literary heritage of the American Puritans, examining their distinctive style, themes, and contributions to American literature.

Understanding the American Puritans

The American Puritans were English Protestants who sought to "purify" the Church of England from within during the 16th and 17th centuries. Faced with religious persecution in England, many Puritans relocated to the New World, primarily settling in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Their faith emphasized the absolute sovereignty of God, individual salvation, and a strict adherence to moral virtue.

Puritan prose and poetry were deeply influenced by their religious beliefs. They viewed writing as a means of glorifying God and spreading their religious teachings. Unlike their European counterparts, American Puritans often wrote for a broader audience, including both educated and less-educated individuals. Through their writings, they sought to instruct, inspire, and warn readers about the consequences of straying from the path of righteousness.

The American Puritans: Their Prose and Poetry

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The Style of Puritan Prose

Puritan prose is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and moral earnestness. It is free from ornate language and complex literary devices, reflecting the Puritans' desire for direct communication. Their focus was on delivering their message effectively rather than showcasing literary prowess.

Puritan prose also often employed extended metaphors and biblical allusions to convey their ideas. These rhetorical devices helped to make their writing more relatable and accessible to a wide range of readers. The Puritans aimed to bridge the gap between the divine and the everyday experiences of their audience, using vivid imagery to illustrate spiritual truths.

Themes in Puritan Prose and Poetry

The dominant themes in Puritan literature revolved around sin, salvation, divine providence, and the fragility of human existence. Puritan writers often explored the moral struggles and temptations faced by individuals in a fallen world. They emphasized the importance of repentance, personal responsibility, and the pursuit of a virtuous life.

Furthermore, Puritan authors frequently wrote about their experiences in the New World. They depicted encounters with Native Americans, the hardships of colonization, and their commitment to establishing a God-centered society. These writings provided invaluable insights into the early challenges and triumphs of colonial life, offering readers a glimpse of the pioneers' journey and the cultural clash that ensued.

Well-Known Puritan Writers

Several notable figures emerged as influential Puritan writers during this period. One such writer was John Winthrop, the first Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, whose sermon "A Model of Christian Charity" introduced the famous concept of America as a "City upon a Hill." He outlined the Puritan's vision for an exemplary society based on their religious principles.

Another prominent figure was Anne Bradstreet, considered America's first published poet. Her poems tackled themes of love, family, faith, and the challenges of being a female writer in a patriarchal society. Her work, such as "To My Dear and Loving Husband," demonstrated a nuanced exploration of personal experiences while maintaining a strong religious foundation.

The Enduring Legacy of Puritan Literature

Puritan literature played a crucial role in laying the foundation for American literature as we know it today. Their writings provided early examples of American identity, the exploration of individual conscience, and the pursuit of religious freedom. The themes and values present in Puritan literature can still be seen in contemporary American works, which continue to engage with questions of morality, spirituality, and the human condition.

In , the American Puritans left an indelible mark on the literary landscape of early America. Their prose and poetry reflected their religious fervor, moralistic outlook, and the challenges of creating a new society in an untamed land. Today, their works continue to captivate readers with their introspective exploration of the human experience and their enduring themes of faith, sin, and redemption.

The American Puritans: Their Prose and Poetry

by Kyle Onstott (Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
File size	:	745 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Perry Miller was born in Chicago on February 25, 1905. He was educated at the University of Chicago where he received his Ph.D. degree in 1931. Since then Mr. Miller taught at Harvard University and in 1946 became a Professor of American Literature there. He died in 1963.

He was the author of Orthodoxy in Massachusetts (1933); The New England Mind (1939); Jonathan Edwards (1949); Roger Williams (1953); The Raven and the Whale (1956); and Errand into the Wilderness (1956).

This anthology is organized as follows:

Foreword

Chapter One. History
1. William Bradford, 1590-1657
Of Plymouth Plantation
2. Thomas Shepard, 1605-1649
A Defense of the Answer
3. Edward Johnson, 1598-1672
Wonder-Working Providence of Sion’s Savior
4. John Winthrop, 1588-1649
Journal
5. John Winthrop, 1588-1649
The Antinomian Crisis
6. Cotton Mather, 1663-1728
A General

Chapter Two. State and Society
1. John Winthrop, 1588-1649
A Model of Christian Charity
2. John Cotton, 1584-1652
Limitation of Government
3. Thomas Hooker, 1586-1647
Hartford Election Sermon
4. John Winthrop, 1588-1649
Speech to the General Court
5. Nathaniel Ward, 1578-1652
The Simple Cobler of Aggawam
6. Jonathan Mitchell, 1624-1668
Nehemiah on the Wall
7. William Stoughton, 1631-1701
New England’s True Interest
8. William Hubbard, 1621-1704
The Happiness of a People
9. John Wise, 1652-1725
Vindication of the Government of New England Churches
10. Jonathan Mayhew, 1720-1766
A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission

Chapter Three. This World and the Next
1. Thomas Shepard, 1605-1649
The Covenant of Grace
2. Peter Bulkeley, 1583-1659
The Lesson of the Covenant, for England and New England
3. Thomas Hooker, 1586-1647
A True Sight of Sin
4. Thomas Hooker, 1586-1647
Repentant Sinners and Their Ministers
5. John Cotton, 1584-1652
Christian Calling
6. Increase Mather, 1639-1723
Man Knows Not His Time
7. Urian Oakes, 1631-1681
The Sovereign Efficacy of Divine Providence
8. Samuel Sewall, 1652-1730
Phaenomena
9. Cotton Mather, 1663-1728
Bonifacius
10. Solomon Stoddard, 1643-1729
Concerning Ancestors

Chapter Four. Personal Narrative
1. Thomas Shepard, 1605-1649
Autobiography
2. Increase Mather, 1639-1723
Richard Mather
3. Samuel Sewall, 1652-1730
Diary
4. John Williams, 1664-1729
The Redeemed Captive

Chapter Five. Poetry
1. Anne Bradstreet, 1612-1672
Several Poems
2. Anne Bradstreet, 1612-1672
Meditations
3. Michael Wigglesworth, 1631-1705
The Day of Doom
4. Michael Wigglesworth, 1631-1705
God’s Controversy With New England
5. E.B.
A Threnodia
6. Edward Taylor, 1645?-1729
God’s Determinations Touching His Elect
7. Edward Taylor, 1645?-1729
Poems and Sacramental Meditations

Chapter Six. Literary and Educational Ideals
1. Richard Mather, 1596-1669
The Bay Psalm Book
2. New England’s First Fruits
New England’s First Fruits
3. Michael Wigglesworth, 1631-1705
The Praise of Eloquence
4. Cotton Mather, 1663-1728
Of Style