1717thth Century Century American Puritan American Puritan

CultureCulture

(And the legacy it has left for (And the legacy it has left for us, 400 years later.)us, 400 years later.)

Early American Protestantism: Early American Protestantism: cultural differencescultural differences

PilgrimsPilgrims Landed at Plymouth Landed at Plymouth

RockRock Settled in Cape Cod, Settled in Cape Cod,

south of Bostonsouth of Boston Sought cooperation Sought cooperation

with Native with Native AmericansAmericans

Earliest settlersEarliest settlers

PuritansPuritans Landed further Landed further

NorthNorth Settled in Boston, Settled in Boston,

SalemSalem Fought “evils” of Fought “evils” of

Native AmericansNative Americans Created “City on Created “City on

the Hill” conceptthe Hill” concept

Early American Protestants:Early American Protestants:religious differences religious differences

PilgrimsPilgrims Learned about God Learned about God

through natural through natural surroundingssurroundings

Trusted actions of Trusted actions of human beings to human beings to solve problemssolve problems

Separated selves Separated selves from Church of from Church of EnglandEngland

PuritansPuritans Followed strict Followed strict

interpretation of the interpretation of the Bible (especially Bible (especially Old Testament & Old Testament & Calvinism)Calvinism)

““Sola Fide” – faith Sola Fide” – faith alone ruled early alone ruled early ProtestantismProtestantism

Puritan ReligionPuritan Religion

Pre-destinarian AnxietyPre-destinarian Anxiety: Puritans : Puritans believed in pre-destination – upon birth, an believed in pre-destination – upon birth, an individual is either destined for heaven or individual is either destined for heaven or for hell. for hell.

Universal LiteracyUniversal Literacy – – Each person had an Each person had an individual relationship with God & was individual relationship with God & was responsible for guarding his/her own faithresponsible for guarding his/her own faith

Plain StylePlain Style – the plainer one’s adornment, – the plainer one’s adornment, words, and lifestyles, the closer one is to words, and lifestyles, the closer one is to God (opposite of Catholicism’s huge God (opposite of Catholicism’s huge degree of ornamentation & art)degree of ornamentation & art)

Core of Calvanist/Puritan BeliefsCore of Calvanist/Puritan Beliefs

TT otal Depravity (original sin unless in otal Depravity (original sin unless in “City on “City on the Hill”)the Hill”)

UU nconditional Salvation (no bargaining)nconditional Salvation (no bargaining)

LL imited Atonement (only few = heaven)imited Atonement (only few = heaven)

II rresistable Grace (God’s call = irresist.)rresistable Grace (God’s call = irresist.)

PP erseverance (stay on the golden road)erseverance (stay on the golden road)

Antinomianism (anti-legal)Antinomianism (anti-legal)

AntinomianismAntinomianism was a situation in which an was a situation in which an individual believed that God spoke directly individual believed that God spoke directly to him/her. to him/her.

This was seen as This was seen as heresyheresy, because in Puritan , because in Puritan culture, government was a theocracy. culture, government was a theocracy.

If God spoke directly to an individual, then If God spoke directly to an individual, then that would place that individual outside of that would place that individual outside of both the church and the law.both the church and the law.

In In The CrucibleThe Crucible, John Proctor’s (and, as Miller , John Proctor’s (and, as Miller will show, the judges) sin is that he will show, the judges) sin is that he presumes to be guided by laws outside of presumes to be guided by laws outside of the law.the law.

Ironies of ProtestantismIronies of Protestantism

Each member of the church is responsible Each member of the church is responsible for reading the Bible & making sense of it for reading the Bible & making sense of it as individuals – BUT – if they go too far, as individuals – BUT – if they go too far, they’re tried for antinomianismthey’re tried for antinomianism

Each member of the “City on the Hill” is Each member of the “City on the Hill” is supposedly pre-destined for heaven – BUT supposedly pre-destined for heaven – BUT – if they believe this, then they’re too – if they believe this, then they’re too smug, and therefore, doomed to hellsmug, and therefore, doomed to hell

Each human contained within him/herself Each human contained within him/herself the potential for good – BUT – also, the the potential for good – BUT – also, the capacity for evilcapacity for evil

Puritanism & the “Pathless Path”Puritanism & the “Pathless Path”

Think about it – New England 400 years Think about it – New England 400 years ago. No roads, few paths, scary animals, ago. No roads, few paths, scary animals, vast wildernessvast wilderness

Survival rested on the community’s ability Survival rested on the community’s ability to stay together.to stay together.

““Follow the Path” whether to God, heaven, Follow the Path” whether to God, heaven, or to the water well was essential to or to the water well was essential to survivalsurvival

Roaming off the Path whether from God, Roaming off the Path whether from God, heaven, or the water well was a sure path heaven, or the water well was a sure path to death/the devilto death/the devil

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

Famous sermon by Jonathan Edwards – Famous sermon by Jonathan Edwards – analogical devices (humans=worms; analogical devices (humans=worms; fire=hell)fire=hell)

Uses Uses pathospathos (emotional appeals), strong (emotional appeals), strong imageryimagery, and , and fiery dictionfiery diction to convince to convince listeners that they’d better shape up listeners that they’d better shape up because God thinks they’re loathsomebecause God thinks they’re loathsome

Lays out Puritanical weapon of accusing Lays out Puritanical weapon of accusing members that they’re disgusting in order members that they’re disgusting in order to get them to stay in lineto get them to stay in line

This legacy, a deep-seated shame of sin This legacy, a deep-seated shame of sin and our own awfulness, still resides in and our own awfulness, still resides in much of American culturemuch of American culture

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

The wrath of God burns against them, The wrath of God burns against them, their damnation does not slumber; their damnation does not slumber; the pit is prepared, the fire is made the pit is prepared, the fire is made ready, the furnace is now hot, ready ready, the furnace is now hot, ready to receive them; the flames do now to receive them; the flames do now rage and glow. The glittering sword rage and glow. The glittering sword is whet, and held over them, and the is whet, and held over them, and the pit hath opened its mouth under pit hath opened its mouth under them…them…

The God that holds you over the pit of hell, The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: his wrath and is dreadfully provoked: his wrath towards you burns like fire; he looks upon towards you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire; he is of purer eyes than to cast into the fire; he is of purer eyes than to bear to have you in his sight; you are ten bear to have you in his sight; you are ten thousand times more abominable in his thousand times more abominable in his eyes, than the most hateful venomous eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours.serpent is in ours.

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 a stands in the door calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners; a day wherein loud voice to poor sinners; a day wherein many are flocking to him, and pressing into many are flocking to him, and pressing into the kingdom of God. Many are daily coming the kingdom of God. Many are daily coming from the east, west, north, and south…How from the east, west, north, and south…How awful is it to be left behind at such a day! awful is it to be left behind at such a day! To see so many others feasting while you To see so many others feasting while you are pining and perishing! How can you rest are pining and perishing! How can you rest one moment in such a condition?...one moment in such a condition?...

““Contemplations”Contemplations”

Poem by Anne Bradstreet – analogical devices Poem by Anne Bradstreet – analogical devices (sun=God’s eye; rivers=nature’s paths)(sun=God’s eye; rivers=nature’s paths)

Stands at edge of settlement & forest in Stands at edge of settlement & forest in autumn – the threshold between nature and autumn – the threshold between nature and society, summer & wintersociety, summer & winter

Wonders whether greatness of nature could be Wonders whether greatness of nature could be contained by one God – ultimately thinks yescontained by one God – ultimately thinks yes

Explores paths through the forest until they Explores paths through the forest until they merge with nature’s paths (i.e. rivers) and end merge with nature’s paths (i.e. rivers) and end in the ocean – the ultimate “pathless path.”in the ocean – the ultimate “pathless path.”

““Contemplations” - excerptsContemplations” - excerpts

Some time now past in the autumnal tide,Some time now past in the autumnal tide,

When Phoebus wanted but one hour to bed, When Phoebus wanted but one hour to bed,

The trees all richly clad, yet void of pride,The trees all richly clad, yet void of pride,

Were gilded o’er by his rich golden head.Were gilded o’er by his rich golden head.

Their leaves and fruits seemed painted, but Their leaves and fruits seemed painted, but was true,was true,

Of green, of red, of yellow, mixed hue;Of green, of red, of yellow, mixed hue;

Rapt were my senses at this delectable Rapt were my senses at this delectable view.view.

Contemplations, cont.Contemplations, cont.

Silent alone, where none or saw, or heardSilent alone, where none or saw, or heardIn pathless paths I led my wand’ring feet,In pathless paths I led my wand’ring feet,My humble eyes to lofty skies I rearedMy humble eyes to lofty skies I rearedTo sing some song, my mazed Muse To sing some song, my mazed Muse

thought meet.thought meet.My great Creator I would magnify,My great Creator I would magnify,That nature had thus decked liberally;That nature had thus decked liberally;But Ah, and Ah, again, my imbecility.But Ah, and Ah, again, my imbecility.

Under the cooling shadow of a stately elmUnder the cooling shadow of a stately elm

Close sat I by a goodly river’s side,Close sat I by a goodly river’s side,

Where gliding streams the rocks did Where gliding streams the rocks did overwhelm,overwhelm,

A lonely place, with pleasures dignified.A lonely place, with pleasures dignified.

I once that loved the shady woods so well,I once that loved the shady woods so well,

Now thought the rivers did the trees excel,Now thought the rivers did the trees excel,

And if the sun would ever shine, there would And if the sun would ever shine, there would I dwell.I dwell.

Nor is’t enough, that though alone mayst slide,Nor is’t enough, that though alone mayst slide,

But hundred brooks in thy clear waves do meet,But hundred brooks in thy clear waves do meet,

So hand in hand along with thee they glideSo hand in hand along with thee they glide

To Thetis house, where all embrace and greet.To Thetis house, where all embrace and greet.

Thou emblem true of what I count the best,Thou emblem true of what I count the best,

O could I lead my rivulets to rest,O could I lead my rivulets to rest,

So may we press to that vast mansion, ever So may we press to that vast mansion, ever blestblest

The mariner that on smooth waves doth The mariner that on smooth waves doth glideglide

Sings merrily and steers his bark with ease,Sings merrily and steers his bark with ease,

As if he had command of wind and tide,As if he had command of wind and tide,

And now become great master of the seas:And now become great master of the seas:

But suddenly a storm spoils all the sport,But suddenly a storm spoils all the sport,

And makes him long for a more quiet port,And makes him long for a more quiet port,

Which ‘gainst all adverse winds may serve Which ‘gainst all adverse winds may serve for fort.for fort.

O Time the fatal wrack of mortal things,O Time the fatal wrack of mortal things,That draws oblivion’s curtains over kings;That draws oblivion’s curtains over kings;Their sumptuous monuments, men know them Their sumptuous monuments, men know them

not,not,Their names without a record are forgot,Their names without a record are forgot,Their parts, their ports, their pomp’s all laid in Their parts, their ports, their pomp’s all laid in

th’ dust,th’ dust,Nor wit nor gold, nor buildings scape time’s Nor wit nor gold, nor buildings scape time’s

rust;rust;But he whose name is graved in the white stoneBut he whose name is graved in the white stoneShall last and shine when all of these are gone.Shall last and shine when all of these are gone.

Crucible connections…Crucible connections… Plain style:Plain style: (golden candlesticks – Proctor thinks (golden candlesticks – Proctor thinks

they’re excessive; Parris wants them).they’re excessive; Parris wants them). AntinomianismAntinomianism: Proctor accused of following his : Proctor accused of following his

own law, but judges are constructing an unjust law.own law, but judges are constructing an unjust law. Pre-destinarian AnxietyPre-destinarian Anxiety: – the girls “name names,” : – the girls “name names,”

but the whole town points fingers at supposed but the whole town points fingers at supposed sinnerssinners

Total Depravity:Total Depravity: basis for assumption that devils basis for assumption that devils are inhabiting the village – easier than assuming are inhabiting the village – easier than assuming that individual “chosen ones” have sinned.that individual “chosen ones” have sinned.

Pathless Paths:Pathless Paths: Abigail & girls are literally caught Abigail & girls are literally caught off the path, but the judges are also confused off the path, but the judges are also confused about which is the correct “path.” Hale ends up about which is the correct “path.” Hale ends up seeing that their path had been wrong.seeing that their path had been wrong.

Red Scare connectionsRed Scare connections Americans continue to live with the legacy that Americans continue to live with the legacy that

they are both “the chosen ones” and inherently they are both “the chosen ones” and inherently evil/flawedevil/flawed

Communism, which seeks to protect the Communism, which seeks to protect the individual through total solidarity of communities, individual through total solidarity of communities, seen as “sinful” by a judgmental governmentseen as “sinful” by a judgmental government

Political sins punished without credible evidence, Political sins punished without credible evidence, only by hysterical finger-pointing during the only by hysterical finger-pointing during the McCarthy era. McCarthy era.

Punishment is social (loss of respect, loss of good Punishment is social (loss of respect, loss of good name) rather than criminal – very few people name) rather than criminal – very few people convicted of treason, but many lives ruined convicted of treason, but many lives ruined because of political connections.because of political connections.

The Salem Witch TrialsThe Salem Witch Trials The Red ScareThe Red Scare The Patriot ActThe Patriot Act All are reflections of our dual identity – All are reflections of our dual identity –

as destined for greatness, yet as destined for greatness, yet inherently flawed. “We” – some inherently flawed. “We” – some chosen few in our government – are chosen few in our government – are duty-bound to find and punish those duty-bound to find and punish those who think “differently” than others. who think “differently” than others. The problem? You discuss…The problem? You discuss…