the puritans. a “purified” church the puritans sought to purify the church of england from...

The PuritansThe Puritans

A “Purified” ChurchA “Purified” ChurchThe Puritans sought to purify the Church The Puritans sought to purify the Church

of England from within.of England from within.They believed the Anglican Church of They believed the Anglican Church of

England had become too garish and England had become too garish and idolatrous in its worship.idolatrous in its worship.

They wanted to get back to the basics of They wanted to get back to the basics of Calvinism.Calvinism.

PuritanismPuritanismA version of CalvinismA version of CalvinismAsserts the basic sinfulness of Asserts the basic sinfulness of

humankind; but also declares that God humankind; but also declares that God has determined that some will be saved has determined that some will be saved despite their sinsdespite their sins

Thus, the experience of conversion, in Thus, the experience of conversion, in which the soul is touched by the Holy which the soul is touched by the Holy Spirit, is an indication that one is of the Spirit, is an indication that one is of the electelect

Puritanism

Puritanism was a way of life (theocracy)Puritanism was a way of life (theocracy)Puritan spiritual life stressed self-Puritan spiritual life stressed self-

discipline & introspectiondiscipline & introspectionPuritans saw their lives as a “divine Puritans saw their lives as a “divine

mission”: God gave them the New World mission”: God gave them the New World for they were his chosen peoplefor they were his chosen people

This idea is the precursor to the concept of This idea is the precursor to the concept of Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny

The BibleThe Bible

Puritans believed Puritans believed The BibleThe Bible to be the to be the supreme authority on earthsupreme authority on earth

They used They used The BibleThe Bible to justify their to justify their occupation of the land and their use of occupation of the land and their use of force against Native Americansforce against Native Americans

Basic Tenets of Puritanism

Judgmental GodJudgmental God (rewards good/punishes (rewards good/punishes evil)evil)

Predestination/ElectionPredestination/Election (salvation or (salvation or damnation was predetermined by God)damnation was predetermined by God)

Original SinOriginal Sin (humans are innately sinful, (humans are innately sinful, tainted by the sins of Adam & Eve; good tainted by the sins of Adam & Eve; good can be accomplished only through hard can be accomplished only through hard work & self-discipline)work & self-discipline)

ProvidenceProvidence God’s GraceGod’s Grace

Basic Tenets of PuritanismGraceGrace The Puritans saw grace as a gift from a kind The Puritans saw grace as a gift from a kind

and loving God; human beings were unworthy and loving God; human beings were unworthy to receive salvation because of their depraved to receive salvation because of their depraved natures. natures.

Repentance, like personal salvation, depended Repentance, like personal salvation, depended on the Grace of God.on the Grace of God.

Only select individuals could experience this Only select individuals could experience this miracle of God’s love.miracle of God’s love.

Am I One of the Elect?Puritans examined themselves & their Puritans examined themselves & their

lives constantly looking for evidence of lives constantly looking for evidence of their electiontheir election

Guilt & remorse were signs of God’s Guilt & remorse were signs of God’s gracegrace

Thrift, industry, hard work were viewed Thrift, industry, hard work were viewed as signs of God’s graceas signs of God’s grace

Business success was a sign of God’s Business success was a sign of God’s gracegrace

The ElectThe ElectUnlike Anglican and Catholic churches of Unlike Anglican and Catholic churches of

the time, Puritan churches did not hold the time, Puritan churches did not hold that all parish residents should be full that all parish residents should be full church members. church members.

ExclusiveExclusive, not inclusive, not inclusiveA true church, they believed, consisted A true church, they believed, consisted

not of everyone but not of everyone but only of the electonly of the elect

The ElectThe Elect Since citizenship was tied to church Since citizenship was tied to church

membership, the motivation for experiencing membership, the motivation for experiencing conversion was secular and civil as well as conversion was secular and civil as well as religious in nature. religious in nature.

As a test of election, many New England As a test of election, many New England churches began to require applicants for churches began to require applicants for church membership to testify to their personal church membership to testify to their personal experience of God in the form of experience of God in the form of autobiographical autobiographical conversion narrativesconversion narratives..

http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/jeremiad.htm

Conversion NarrativesConversion NarrativesBeyond the usual confession of faith, the Beyond the usual confession of faith, the

applicant was required to give a applicant was required to give a satisfactory narrative of his experience of satisfactory narrative of his experience of grace. grace.

Thomas Hooker: The six essential stages Thomas Hooker: The six essential stages of this morphology of conversion were of this morphology of conversion were contrition, humiliation, vocation, contrition, humiliation, vocation, implantation, exaltation, implantation, exaltation, and and possessionpossession

Hard Work & Self-DisciplineHard Work & Self-Discipline

To the Puritans, a person by nature was To the Puritans, a person by nature was wholly sinful and could achieve good wholly sinful and could achieve good only by severe and unremitting discipline. only by severe and unremitting discipline.

Hard work was considered a religious Hard work was considered a religious duty and emphasis was laid on constant duty and emphasis was laid on constant self-examination and self-discipline.self-examination and self-discipline.

Hard Work & Self-DisciplineHard Work & Self-Discipline

Although profanation of the Sabbath day, Although profanation of the Sabbath day, blasphemy, fornication, drunkenness, blasphemy, fornication, drunkenness, playing games of chance, and playing games of chance, and participation in theatrical performances participation in theatrical performances were penal offenses, the severity of the were penal offenses, the severity of the code of behavior of the early Puritans is code of behavior of the early Puritans is often exaggerated.often exaggerated.

Puritans & Education

Puritans were highly literate peoplePuritans were highly literate peopleEducation was highly valued as a Education was highly valued as a

way to fight atheism and to instill in way to fight atheism and to instill in children the value of hard workchildren the value of hard work

They held the writing of history in They held the writing of history in high regardhigh regard

They wrote narratives, journals, They wrote narratives, journals, biographies, hymns, sermonsbiographies, hymns, sermons

Almost all writing was religiously Almost all writing was religiously basedbased

Puritans & Education

1636: The Puritans founded Harvard, the first 1636: The Puritans founded Harvard, the first college in Americacollege in America

Puritan Firsts

1638: the first printing press was brought 1638: the first printing press was brought to the coloniesto the colonies

The Bay Psalm BookThe Bay Psalm Book (1640): the first (1640): the first published book in the coloniespublished book in the colonies

““The Day of Doom” (1662): popular The Day of Doom” (1662): popular poem in the colonies (about the end of the poem in the colonies (about the end of the world/the Apocalypse)world/the Apocalypse)

From “The Day of Doom”From “The Day of Doom”The pain of loss their Souls doth toss, The pain of loss their Souls doth toss, and wond'rously distress, and wond'rously distress, To think what they have cast away To think what they have cast away by wilful wickedness. by wilful wickedness. We might have been redeem'd from sin, We might have been redeem'd from sin, think they, and liv'd above, think they, and liv'd above, Being possest of heav'nly rest, Being possest of heav'nly rest, and joying in God's love. and joying in God's love.

But wo, wo, wo our Souls unto! But wo, wo, wo our Souls unto! we would not happy be; we would not happy be; And therefore hear Gods Vengeance here And therefore hear Gods Vengeance here to all Eternitee. to all Eternitee. Experience and woful sense Experience and woful sense must be our painful teachers must be our painful teachers Who n'ould believe, nor credit give, Who n'ould believe, nor credit give, unto our faithful Preachers. unto our faithful Preachers.

Thus shall they ly, and wail, and cry, Thus shall they ly, and wail, and cry, tormented, and tormenting tormented, and tormenting Their galled hearts with pois'ned darts Their galled hearts with pois'ned darts but now too late repenting. but now too late repenting. There let them dwell i'the' Flames of Hell; There let them dwell i'the' Flames of Hell; there leave we them to burn, there leave we them to burn, And back agen unto the men And back agen unto the men who Christ acquits, return. who Christ acquits, return.

The Saints behold with courage bold, The Saints behold with courage bold, and thankful wonderment, and thankful wonderment, To see all those that were their foes To see all those that were their foes thus sent to punishment: thus sent to punishment: Then do they sing unto their King Then do they sing unto their King a Song of endless Praise: a Song of endless Praise: They praise his Name, and do proclaim They praise his Name, and do proclaim that just are all his ways. that just are all his ways.

The Bay Psalm BookThe Bay Psalm Book

A Divine Song of Praise to GOD, for a ChildA Divine Song of Praise to GOD, for a Child

How glorious is our heavenly King,How glorious is our heavenly King,Who reigns above tha Sky!Who reigns above tha Sky!

How shall a Child presume to singHow shall a Child presume to singHis dreadful Majesty! His dreadful Majesty!

How great his Power is none can tell,How great his Power is none can tell,Nor think how large his grace:Nor think how large his grace:

Nor men below, nor Saints that dwell,Nor men below, nor Saints that dwell,On high before his Face. On high before his Face.

Nor Angels that stand round the Lord,Nor Angels that stand round the Lord,Can search his secret will;Can search his secret will;

But they perform his heav'nly Word,But they perform his heav'nly Word,And sing his Praises still. And sing his Praises still.

Then let me join this holy Train;Then let me join this holy Train;And my first Off'rings bring;And my first Off'rings bring;

The eternal GOD will not disdainThe eternal GOD will not disdainTo hear an Infant sing. To hear an Infant sing.

My Heart resolves, my Tongue obeys,My Heart resolves, my Tongue obeys,And Angels shall rejoice,And Angels shall rejoice,

To hear their mighty Maker's Praise,To hear their mighty Maker's Praise,Sound from a feeble Voice.Sound from a feeble Voice.

From From The New England PrimerThe New England Primer

Anne Hutchinson – Roger WilliamsAnne Hutchinson – Roger Williams

DissentersDissenters Reformers like Reformers like Anne HutchinsonAnne Hutchinson were were

excommunicated from the church and driven excommunicated from the church and driven out of the community.out of the community.

Roger WilliamsRoger Williams was banished from the MBC was banished from the MBC in 1635 for challenging the strict religious in 1635 for challenging the strict religious code and the government’s right to confiscate code and the government’s right to confiscate Native American land without compensation.Native American land without compensation.

He founded the colony of Providence in 1636.He founded the colony of Providence in 1636. Quakers and other dissenters received very Quakers and other dissenters received very

harsh punishments, including execution, for harsh punishments, including execution, for their beliefs.their beliefs.

Other ColoniesOther Colonies

1632: Lord Baltimore establishes the colony of 1632: Lord Baltimore establishes the colony of Maryland as a haven for persecuted Roman Maryland as a haven for persecuted Roman CatholicsCatholics

1636: Colonists leave Puritan Massachusetts to 1636: Colonists leave Puritan Massachusetts to seek religious freedom in Connecticut (Thomas seek religious freedom in Connecticut (Thomas Hooker) and Rhode Island (Roger Williams)Hooker) and Rhode Island (Roger Williams)

1682: Quaker William Penn’s Pennsylvania 1682: Quaker William Penn’s Pennsylvania becomes a model of religious and political becomes a model of religious and political tolerancetolerance

Puritans are People Too!Puritans are People Too!The Puritans honored material success; The Puritans honored material success;

wealth was considered to be the reward of wealth was considered to be the reward of a virtuous life.a virtuous life.

They valued family life, community, They valued family life, community, service, art and literature.service, art and literature.

Puritans were known to drink beer and Puritans were known to drink beer and other alcoholic beverages on occasion.other alcoholic beverages on occasion.

The Decline of Puritanism By 1700 Puritanism was in decline in New By 1700 Puritanism was in decline in New

England for various reasonsEngland for various reasons– Indian WarsIndian Wars (Pequots, Narragansets, Nipmuks, (Pequots, Narragansets, Nipmuks,

Wampanoags)Wampanoags)– UrbanizationUrbanization (more non-Puritans joining the (more non-Puritans joining the

colonies)colonies)– Age of ReasonAge of Reason (rationalists attack religion, (rationalists attack religion,

focusing on science & reason)focusing on science & reason)– Salem Witch TrialsSalem Witch Trials

Puritan Influence on America

After the 17th century the Puritans as a After the 17th century the Puritans as a political entity largely disappeared, but Puritan political entity largely disappeared, but Puritan attitudes and ethics continued to exert an attitudes and ethics continued to exert an influence on American society. influence on American society.

They made a virtue of qualities that made for They made a virtue of qualities that made for economic success—economic success—self-relianceself-reliance, , frugalityfrugality, , self-disciplineself-discipline, , industryindustry—and through them —and through them influenced modern social and economic life.influenced modern social and economic life.

Their Their concern for educationconcern for education was important in was important in the development of the United States, and the the development of the United States, and the idea of congregational democratic church idea of congregational democratic church government was carried into the political life government was carried into the political life of the state as a source of modern democracyof the state as a source of modern democracy

Puritan Influence on America

The Salem Witch The Salem Witch TrialsTrials

The Salem Witch Trials (1690s) Several young Puritan girls accuse a servant, Tituba, Several young Puritan girls accuse a servant, Tituba,

of being a witchof being a witch To protect herself, Tituba implicates other members To protect herself, Tituba implicates other members

of the communityof the community A chain reaction ensues and 27 people are convicted A chain reaction ensues and 27 people are convicted

of practicing witchcraftof practicing witchcraft 50 others “confess” and 100 others are imprisoned 50 others “confess” and 100 others are imprisoned

to await trialto await trial In the end 19 people are executed (hanged) for In the end 19 people are executed (hanged) for

being witchesbeing witches

Since Puritans were expected to live by a rigid moral Since Puritans were expected to live by a rigid moral code, they believed that all sins—from sleeping in code, they believed that all sins—from sleeping in church to stealing food—should be punished.church to stealing food—should be punished.

They also believed God would punish sinful They also believed God would punish sinful behavior.behavior.

When a neighbor would suffer misfortune, such as a When a neighbor would suffer misfortune, such as a sick child or a failed crop, Puritans saw it as God’s sick child or a failed crop, Puritans saw it as God’s will and did not help.will and did not help.

1692 Salem1692 Salem

Puritans also believed the Devil was as real as Puritans also believed the Devil was as real as God.God.

Everyone was faced with the struggle between Everyone was faced with the struggle between the powers of good and evil, but Satan would the powers of good and evil, but Satan would select the weakest individuals—women, select the weakest individuals—women, children, the insane—to carry out his work.children, the insane—to carry out his work.

Those who followed Satan were considered Those who followed Satan were considered witches. witches.

Witchcraft was one of the greatest crimes a Witchcraft was one of the greatest crimes a person could commit, punishable by death.person could commit, punishable by death.


In keeping with the Puritan code of In keeping with the Puritan code of conformity, the first women to be accused of conformity, the first women to be accused of witchcraft in Salem were seen as different and witchcraft in Salem were seen as different and as social outcasts: Tituba, a slave; Sarah Good, as social outcasts: Tituba, a slave; Sarah Good, a homeless beggar; and Sarah Osborne, a a homeless beggar; and Sarah Osborne, a sickly old woman who married her servant.sickly old woman who married her servant.



Fear of magic and witchcraft was common in Fear of magic and witchcraft was common in New England, as it had been in Europe for New England, as it had been in Europe for centuries.centuries.

Over 100 alleged witches had been tried and Over 100 alleged witches had been tried and hanged in New England during the 1600s.hanged in New England during the 1600s.

But the hangings in 1692 Salem would be the But the hangings in 1692 Salem would be the last ones in America last ones in America

Witches or Not?Witches or Not?

To “prove” that someone was a witch, To “prove” that someone was a witch, church officials sometimes poked him or church officials sometimes poked him or her with pins, searching for a so-called her with pins, searching for a so-called devil’s mark, a spot where no pain was felt.devil’s mark, a spot where no pain was felt.

Another test involved tying together the Another test involved tying together the hands and feet of the accused and throwing hands and feet of the accused and throwing him or her into water. Those who floated him or her into water. Those who floated were declared witches; those who drowned were declared witches; those who drowned were declared innocent.were declared innocent.

Spectral EvidenceSpectral Evidence

In the Salem witch trials, spectral In the Salem witch trials, spectral evidence – the testimony of a church evidence – the testimony of a church member who claimed to have seen a member who claimed to have seen a person’s spirit performing witchcraft – person’s spirit performing witchcraft – was enough to sentence the accused to was enough to sentence the accused to death.death.

The Examination of Sarah GoodThe Examination of Sarah Good

1692: The Massachusetts Bay Colony of Salem 1692: The Massachusetts Bay Colony of Salem was gripped by panic after a group of adolescent was gripped by panic after a group of adolescent girls suffered mysterious symptoms such as girls suffered mysterious symptoms such as convulsive fits, hallucinations, loss of appetite, convulsive fits, hallucinations, loss of appetite, and the temporary loss of hearing, sight & and the temporary loss of hearing, sight & speech.speech.

Diagnosed as being victims of witchcraft, the Diagnosed as being victims of witchcraft, the girls denounced certain townspeople for this girls denounced certain townspeople for this crime, including a woman named Sarah Good.crime, including a woman named Sarah Good.

Sarah Good was one of the first to be Sarah Good was one of the first to be accused of witchcraft by the circle of accused of witchcraft by the circle of young girls in Salem.young girls in Salem.

She was a likely witch in the eyes of She was a likely witch in the eyes of many townspeople—an odd homeless many townspeople—an odd homeless woman who did not fit the Puritan mold.woman who did not fit the Puritan mold.

The Examination of Sarah GoodThe Examination of Sarah Good

The people of Salem were very familiar The people of Salem were very familiar with Sarah Good.with Sarah Good.

She often begged door-to-door with her She often begged door-to-door with her children.children.

If she were refused, she would walk away If she were refused, she would walk away mumbling.mumbling.

Many claimed these “curses” were Many claimed these “curses” were responsible for failed crops and death of responsible for failed crops and death of livestock.livestock.

Then on March 24, Ann Putnam accused Then on March 24, Ann Putnam accused Sarah’s five-year-old daughter, Dorcas, of Sarah’s five-year-old daughter, Dorcas, of witchcraft.witchcraft.

When examined, the imaginative young child When examined, the imaginative young child confessed that she and her mother were witches.confessed that she and her mother were witches.

She showed the magistrates a red spot on her She showed the magistrates a red spot on her finger—most likely a flea bite—claiming it was finger—most likely a flea bite—claiming it was from a snake her mother had given her.from a snake her mother had given her.

Little Dorcas was put in prison, chained to a Little Dorcas was put in prison, chained to a wall.wall.

On March 1, 1692, Sarah Good faced examination On March 1, 1692, Sarah Good faced examination with two other accused witches, Sarah Osburne with two other accused witches, Sarah Osburne and Tituba, Reverend Parris’s Caribbean slave.and Tituba, Reverend Parris’s Caribbean slave.

During the questioning, Ann Putnam, Betty Parris, During the questioning, Ann Putnam, Betty Parris, and Abigail Williams shrieked and fell into fits.and Abigail Williams shrieked and fell into fits.

Sarah Good pleaded, “I am falsely accused,” but Sarah Good pleaded, “I am falsely accused,” but then Tituba named her as a witch. Several villagersthen Tituba named her as a witch. Several villagers—including her own husband—also testified —including her own husband—also testified against her, and Sarah was put in prison.against her, and Sarah was put in prison.

Sarah Good was tried on June 30.Sarah Good was tried on June 30.Despite no evidence other than the claims Despite no evidence other than the claims

of the afflicted girls, she was found of the afflicted girls, she was found guilty.guilty.

She was one of five women to be hanged She was one of five women to be hanged on July 19, 1692.on July 19, 1692.

Just before the hanging, the other women Just before the hanging, the other women prayed and asked God to forgive the prayed and asked God to forgive the accusers, but Sarah Good showed no sign accusers, but Sarah Good showed no sign of forgiveness.of forgiveness.

Local minister Reverend Nicholas Noyes Local minister Reverend Nicholas Noyes urged her to confess, announcing that she urged her to confess, announcing that she was indeed a witch. Sarah Good replied: was indeed a witch. Sarah Good replied: “I am no more a witch than you are a “I am no more a witch than you are a wizard, and if you take away my life, wizard, and if you take away my life, God will give you blood to drink.”God will give you blood to drink.”

Twenty-five years later, Reverend Noyes Twenty-five years later, Reverend Noyes died of internal bleeding, choking on his died of internal bleeding, choking on his own blood. own blood.

Another Explanation?Another Explanation?Convulsive ergotism may have been a Convulsive ergotism may have been a

physiological basis for the Salem physiological basis for the Salem witchcraft crisis.witchcraft crisis.

Ergot, a parasitic fungus, grows on a Ergot, a parasitic fungus, grows on a large variety of cereal grains, especially large variety of cereal grains, especially rye.rye.

Ergotism (ergot poisoning) was once a Ergotism (ergot poisoning) was once a common condition resulting from eating common condition resulting from eating contaminated rye bread.contaminated rye bread.

Another Explanation?Another Explanation?The growing conditions and the pattern of The growing conditions and the pattern of

agricultural practices fit the timing of the agricultural practices fit the timing of the 1692 crisis.1692 crisis.

Convulsive ergotism is characterized by Convulsive ergotism is characterized by crawling sensations in the skin, tingling crawling sensations in the skin, tingling in the fingers, vertigo, headaches, in the fingers, vertigo, headaches, hallucination, convulsions, and vomiting. hallucination, convulsions, and vomiting.

The Puritans seized upon witchcraft for The Puritans seized upon witchcraft for the best explanation for the phenomena.the best explanation for the phenomena.

TheThe Crucible Crucible

The CrucibleThe Crucible

Arthur Milller’s play, Arthur Milller’s play, The CrucibleThe Crucible draws a draws a direct parallel between McCarthyism in 1950s direct parallel between McCarthyism in 1950s America and the hysteria & paranoia in Salem.America and the hysteria & paranoia in Salem.

This paranoia and “witch hunt” mentality was This paranoia and “witch hunt” mentality was present in 1950s Hollywood where many present in 1950s Hollywood where many Americans were suspected of being members Americans were suspected of being members of the Communist party and “blacklisted.”of the Communist party and “blacklisted.”


In the 1950s Miller was subjected to a In the 1950s Miller was subjected to a scrutiny by a committee of the United scrutiny by a committee of the United States Congress investigating Communist States Congress investigating Communist influence in the arts. influence in the arts.

The Crucible The Crucible was an allegory for the was an allegory for the McCarthy era and mass hysteriaMcCarthy era and mass hysteria

In 1956 Miller was called before the In 1956 Miller was called before the House Committee on Un-American House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC).Activities (HUAC).

Miller admitted that he had attended Miller admitted that he had attended certain meetings, but denied that he was a certain meetings, but denied that he was a Communist.Communist.


Miller had attended among others four or five Miller had attended among others four or five writer's meetings sponsored by the Communist writer's meetings sponsored by the Communist Party in 1947, supported a Peace Conference, Party in 1947, supported a Peace Conference, and signed many appeals and protests. and signed many appeals and protests.

Refusing to offer other people's names, who Refusing to offer other people's names, who had associated with leftist or suspected had associated with leftist or suspected Communist groups, Miller was cited for Communist groups, Miller was cited for contempt of Congress, but the ruling was contempt of Congress, but the ruling was reversed by the courts in 1958. reversed by the courts in 1958.

He was blacklisted, which meant that he could He was blacklisted, which meant that he could not get a job anywhere in Hollywood.not get a job anywhere in Hollywood.


Miller before HUACMiller before HUAC

Puritan PoetryPuritan Poetry

The PoemsThe Poemsofof

Anne BradstreetAnne Bradstreet

Puritan PoetryPuritan Poetry

Poetry in 17Poetry in 17thth century New England was century New England was almost exclusively devotional in nature almost exclusively devotional in nature and, as such, was highly recommended and, as such, was highly recommended reading for the Puritan community.reading for the Puritan community.

Like any conscientious Puritan, Anne Like any conscientious Puritan, Anne Bradstreet always viewed her life Bradstreet always viewed her life within a spiritual context; every event, within a spiritual context; every event, no matter how trivial, bore a divine no matter how trivial, bore a divine message; message; every misfortune served to every misfortune served to remind her of God’s will and the path remind her of God’s will and the path to salvation.to salvation.

Anne Bradstreet


The first notable American poetThe first notable American poetWhat sets her poems apart from other What sets her poems apart from other

Puritan verse is their personal subject Puritan verse is their personal subject matter: her family, her children, her matter: her family, her children, her home.home.

The Tenth Muse The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up Lately Sprung Up in Americain America: the : the first volume of first volume of poems published poems published by an Americanby an American



Bradstreet’s poems are important Bradstreet’s poems are important because they provide an insight into because they provide an insight into the daily lives of Puritansthe daily lives of Puritans

Her poems also show a more human Her poems also show a more human side of the stereotypical stern side of the stereotypical stern PuritansPuritans

“To My Dear and Loving Husband”

Reflects a happy marriage/domestic lifeReflects a happy marriage/domestic lifeWritten during one of the frequent Written during one of the frequent

absences of her husband, Simonabsences of her husband, SimonExpresses her love for her husbandExpresses her love for her husbandWritten in iambic pentameter; contains Written in iambic pentameter; contains

heroic coupletsheroic couplets

““Upon the Burning of Our House”Upon the Burning of Our House” ““Yea, so it was, and so ‘twas just.” Yea, so it was, and so ‘twas just.” (God’s (God’s

providence)providence) ““Then straight I ‘gin my heart to chide/And did they Then straight I ‘gin my heart to chide/And did they

wealth on earth abide?...Raise up thy thoughts above wealth on earth abide?...Raise up thy thoughts above the sky…” the sky…” (rhetorical question; chides herself)(rhetorical question; chides herself)

““A price so vast as is unknown/Yet by His gift is A price so vast as is unknown/Yet by His gift is made thine own;/There’s wealth enough, I need no made thine own;/There’s wealth enough, I need no more…The world no longer let me love,/My hope more…The world no longer let me love,/My hope and treasure lies above.” and treasure lies above.” (metaphor)(metaphor)

““Thou hast an house on high erect/Framed by that Thou hast an house on high erect/Framed by that mighty Architect..” mighty Architect..” (metaphor)(metaphor)

“Upon the Burning of Our House”

Stresses the idea that worldly goods/material Stresses the idea that worldly goods/material possessions should not be loved too dearly, possessions should not be loved too dearly, for these things are a distraction from Godfor these things are a distraction from God

In the poem, she chides herself for expressing In the poem, she chides herself for expressing sadness at the loss of her home and its sadness at the loss of her home and its contentscontents

Written in iambic tetrameter; contains Written in iambic tetrameter; contains coupletscouplets

The Great AwakeningThe Great Awakening

Jonathon EdwardsJonathon Edwards

““Sinners in the Hands of an Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”Angry God”

The Great AwakeningThe Great Awakening One hundred years after a group of Puritans One hundred years after a group of Puritans

came to colonial America for religious came to colonial America for religious freedom, some Puritans felt that their freedom, some Puritans felt that their congregations had grown too complacent, or congregations had grown too complacent, or self-satisfied.self-satisfied.

To rekindle the fervor that the early settlers To rekindle the fervor that the early settlers had, Jonathon Edwards and other Puritan had, Jonathon Edwards and other Puritan ministers led the Great Awakening.ministers led the Great Awakening.

Jonathon Edwards

A forceful preacher & speakerA forceful preacher & speakerFounded the College of New Jersey (later Founded the College of New Jersey (later

became Princeton)became Princeton)Leader of “The Great Awakening,” Leader of “The Great Awakening,”

a religious revival that swept through a religious revival that swept through New England from 1734-1750.New England from 1734-1750.

Jonathan EdwardsJonathan Edwards

He believed that he had experienced He believed that he had experienced grace as one of God’s elect and refused to grace as one of God’s elect and refused to serve communion to the non-elect; this serve communion to the non-elect; this upset many in his congregationupset many in his congregation

In 1750 he was dismissed as a minister In 1750 he was dismissed as a minister after he publicly named those who had after he publicly named those who had lapsed in their devotion, including lapsed in their devotion, including influential members of the communityinfluential members of the community

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

Edwards’ sermon is a classic statement of Edwards’ sermon is a classic statement of the Puritan’s literal version of Heaven the Puritan’s literal version of Heaven and Helland Hell

In his sermon, he is trying to restore his In his sermon, he is trying to restore his listeners to their original commitment to listeners to their original commitment to PuritanismPuritanism

He delivered this six-hour sermon at He delivered this six-hour sermon at Enfield, CT on July 8, 1741Enfield, CT on July 8, 1741

““Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

The sermon was very effective: the The sermon was very effective: the audience literally shrieked and swoonedaudience literally shrieked and swooned

The fact that Edwards spoke in a reserved The fact that Edwards spoke in a reserved manner speaks to the effectiveness of the manner speaks to the effectiveness of the language he uses in the sermon.language he uses in the sermon.

““I think it is a reasonable thing to fright I think it is a reasonable thing to fright persons away from hell. They stand upon persons away from hell. They stand upon its brink, and are just ready to fall into it, its brink, and are just ready to fall into it, and are senseless of their danger. Is it not and are senseless of their danger. Is it not a reasonable thing to fright a person out a reasonable thing to fright a person out of a house on fire?” of a house on fire?”

– – Jonathon EdwardsJonathon Edwards


The sermon contains vivid tropes (figurative The sermon contains vivid tropes (figurative language) and vivid imageslanguage) and vivid images

Edwards uses mainly emotional appeal (pathos) to Edwards uses mainly emotional appeal (pathos) to impact his audienceimpact his audience

Repeated images (motifs) in the sermon:Repeated images (motifs) in the sermon:– Hell as a fiery pitHell as a fiery pit– God holding sinners over that pit in his handGod holding sinners over that pit in his hand– God as angry God as angry


““We find it easy to tread on and crush a We find it easy to tread on and crush a worm that we see crawling on the earth; so it worm that we see crawling on the earth; so it is easy for us to cut or singe a slender thread is easy for us to cut or singe a slender thread that any thing hangs by; thus easy is it for that any thing hangs by; thus easy is it for God when he pleases to cast his enemies God when he pleases to cast his enemies down into hell…” down into hell…”

““Yea, God is a great deal more angry with Yea, God is a great deal more angry with great numbers that are now on earth; yea, great numbers that are now on earth; yea, doubtless, with many that are now in this doubtless, with many that are now in this congregation…”congregation…”

Analogy


““The bow of God’s wrath is bent, and the arrow The bow of God’s wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood.”being made drunk with your blood.”

Extended Metaphor

Personification


““The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you…his wrath toward you over the fire, abhors you…his wrath toward you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire.”nothing else, but to be cast into the fire.”

““You are ten thousand times more abominable in You are ten thousand times more abominable in his eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent his eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours.”is in ours.”

Simile

Simile


““O sinner! Consider the fearful danger O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in: it is a great furnace of wrath, a you are in: it is a great furnace of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath, that you are held over in the hand wrath, that you are held over in the hand of that God, whose wrath is provoked and of that God, whose wrath is provoked and incensed as much against you, as against incensed as much against you, as against many of the damned in hell.”many of the damned in hell.”

““And now you have an extraordinary And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has opportunity, a day wherein Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open, and thrown the door of mercy wide open, and stands in the door calling and crying with stands in the door calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners…”a loud voice to poor sinners…”

Metaphor

Metaphor

the puritans. a “purified” church the puritans sought to purify the church of england from...

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