puritan literature and the scarlet letter

Puritan Literature and The Scarlet Letter

Background Information

The Puritans-Definition(“Puritans in New Englad, par. 2-3)

• Began as a gibe by traditional Anglicans toward those who criticized or wished to "purify" the Church of England.

• Referred to two groups: “Separating" Puritans (the Plymouth colonists)

Believed that the Church of England was corrupt and that true Christians must separate themselves from it. ”Non-separating Puritans” (the Massachusetts colonists) Believed in reform but not separation Congregationalists who believed in forming churches through voluntary compacts.

Puritan Literature Timeline Highlights

Massachusetts Bay Colony(Boston)Puritans (1680)

The Massachusetts Bay ColonyFlagship Arbella arrives - 1630Leader - John Winthrop (PAL, par. 1)

Societal Rules Must be a church member to be a “Freeman” (voter) Predestination Covenant bound “God’s Chosen” to enforcing laws on earth Concern about “Proper Behavior” of neighbors Required church attendance Required school attendance/ability to read 1st Puritan College-Harvard Belief in Pure Life Followed model of patriarchal society Colonial Punishments: http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/colonial_court/html/colonial.html

John Calvin-Predestination (“John Calvin,” par. 2-4)

• T- Total Depravity of Man Man is naturally evil U-Unconditional Election God elects his chosen people before they are created and they become saints in heaven. L- Limited Atonement Only the “elected” people can be saved I- Irresistible Grace God’s grace must be answered P- Perseverance of the Saints It is not possible to lose one’s salvation

Puritan Politics (Literature and the Language Arts 192-194)

• Theocracy-Societies guided by religious law• Objectors:

– Roger Williams Banished from MA in 1635 for speaking against Puritans’ taking N.A. lands

Founded R.I. based on religious freedom-- Ann Hutchinson Banished from MA in 1637-Began teaching own religious theories in home Bible classes to men and women

Accused of being “more husband than a wife” and threatening religion

Major Literary Ideas/Elements

• Religion, incl. spiritual struggles• Struggle between conformity and original thoughts• Allegories – a work of literature with two (2) meanings

one is the literal storyone is the symbolic meaning used to express religious, political, social, or moral ideasExample: The Crucible tells the literal story of the Salem Witch

Trials, but facts, events, and characters are changed to represent the events happening during the Red Scare.

The Great Awakening• 1660-formation of The Royal Society– 1st science academy in England

• English Enlightenment Thinkers Empirical inquiry proper approach for true knowledge John Locke- people began life blank and knowledge was built through the senses Isaac Newton-study of nature revealed God’s plan/design

• Puritan Intellectuals Cotton Mather- connected to Salem Witch Trials and belief in “spectral evidence”

Jonathan Edwards- preached one needed to experience God through “awakenings”

TRANSCENDENTALISM• Using intuition in nature to help

understand a “higher truth” of life• Move away from strictly using the

power of reason and scientific approach to understand the world (Enlightenment)

• Valued spirituality over materialism• Celebrated “the self” and self-

awareness as a way to understand the universe/God

• Self-realization/self-expression/self-reliance

• Reflect on both positive and negative sides of human nature

WALDEN POND

Nathaniel Hawthorne and the New England Renaissance/American Transcendentalism1804-1864 (Salem, MA)

Related to participants of Salem Witch TrialsContemporary of PoeConsidered a Gothic American WriterCredited (with Irving and Poe) with developing modern short storyMajor Literary Traits

Strong use of symbolismA psychological approach to horrorFocus with Puritan preoccupation with evil/supernaturalElements of Transcendentalism and Gothicism

American Gothic Literature• Castles/Large Estates/Castle-like

Structures• An atmosphere of mystery and

suspense• Death/Decay• Unexplainable Events/Supernatural• Omens/Foreshadowing• Dreams• Damsels in Distress• Sense of doom and gloom• Romantic themes of obsession,

romance, insanity, inner turmoil

Grotesque Arabesque

Poe is known for writing the grotesque type of gothic literature; enhancing the details of the gross.

Hawthorne is known for writing the arabesque type of gothic literature; enhancing the details of the supernatural and inner angst.

Works Cited"John Calvin." GREATSITE.COM: Antique Bibles, Rare Bibles, Ancient Bible Leaves. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.

<http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-english-bible-history/john-calvin.html>.

Literature and the Language Arts. the American Tradition. St. Paul, MN: EMC/Paradigm Pub., 2001. Print.

"PAL: American Puritanism: A Brief Introduction." California State University Stanislaus | Home. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.

<http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap1/1intro.html>.

"Puritanism in New England." Washington State University - Pullman, Washington. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.

<http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/purdef.htm>.