PuritanismPuritanism1600-17501600-1750Shannon LusterShannon Luster

1010thth grade English grade English

Historical ContextHistorical Context

This movement of American This movement of American literature begins when a group of literature begins when a group of people known as the Separatists people known as the Separatists decide to leave England in search of decide to leave England in search of religious freedom. religious freedom.

This group of individuals divide into This group of individuals divide into two groups, the Pilgrims and the two groups, the Pilgrims and the Puritans.Puritans.

Historical ContextHistorical Context

Puritans and PilgrimsPuritans and Pilgrims

PuritansPuritans– God Gold God Gold

GloryGlory– The Puritans claim to The Puritans claim to

have come solely for have come solely for religious freedom; religious freedom; however, this is not however, this is not necessarily the case.necessarily the case.

– The Puritans are not The Puritans are not interested in interested in separating from the separating from the Church England.Church England.

PilgrimsPilgrims– God Gold GloryGod Gold Glory– The Pilgrims are the The Pilgrims are the

true Separatists true Separatists who have good, who have good, true intentions in true intentions in seeking religious seeking religious freedom.freedom.

Beliefs of the Puritan Beliefs of the Puritan SocietySociety

1. The Puritans claim to be models of the 1. The Puritans claim to be models of the society. “Personal leaders in the fight society. “Personal leaders in the fight against evil.against evil.

2. They believe they are sent by God to 2. They believe they are sent by God to save the world.save the world.

3. They are the ‘be-all’ and ‘end-all’ of the 3. They are the ‘be-all’ and ‘end-all’ of the justice system.justice system.

4. No one man is to be admired over 4. No one man is to be admired over another; the society functions as a whole, another; the society functions as a whole, treating all members as equal parts.treating all members as equal parts.

Puritan BeliefsPuritan Beliefs

Problems with the Function of Problems with the Function of the Societythe Society

Women have no place in society.Women have no place in society. Solve labor problems by importing Solve labor problems by importing

enslaved Africans between the ages enslaved Africans between the ages of 15-25. (By 1630, more than half of of 15-25. (By 1630, more than half of the population is made up of black the population is made up of black indentured slaves.)indentured slaves.)

Justice system is strict and Justice system is strict and unrelenting.unrelenting.

Puritan Justice SystemPuritan Justice System Serious crimes include burglary, Serious crimes include burglary,

counterfeiting, murder, piracy, rape and counterfeiting, murder, piracy, rape and treason. Punished by hanging.treason. Punished by hanging.

Crimes such as adultery, gossip, slander, Crimes such as adultery, gossip, slander, petty theft, drunkenness, and disturbing the petty theft, drunkenness, and disturbing the peace could range in punishment from peace could range in punishment from whipping in the town square to death.whipping in the town square to death.

Other punishments for crimes against the Other punishments for crimes against the community were public shamming or public community were public shamming or public disgrace.disgrace.

Individuals are only jailed while awaiting Individuals are only jailed while awaiting trial, awaiting punishment, or failing to pay trial, awaiting punishment, or failing to pay debts.debts.

Puritan Literary Puritan Literary CharacteristicsCharacteristics

1. Strive for simplicity.1. Strive for simplicity. 2. Writing is a tool for spiritual self-2. Writing is a tool for spiritual self-

examination and religious instruction.examination and religious instruction. 3. Writing should never be used as an 3. Writing should never be used as an

expression of cleverness.expression of cleverness. 4. Nature is filled with earthly 4. Nature is filled with earthly

blessings and unlimited possibilities. blessings and unlimited possibilities. Nature is used in writing as an Nature is used in writing as an expression of God.expression of God.

Important DatesImportant Dates

Education is important, but it is Education is important, but it is limited to male members of society limited to male members of society and focuses on religious instruction.and focuses on religious instruction.– 1635: First secondary school begins1635: First secondary school begins– 1636: Harvard College is established.1636: Harvard College is established.– 1647: First public school system in 1647: First public school system in

Massachusetts.Massachusetts.– 1690: 1690: The New England PrimerThe New England Primer

schoolbook is published.schoolbook is published.