Eng 491 - Religion in Colonial American Literature

Religion in Colonial American Literature

Sakina Flax

ENG/491

10/21/2013

Michael Angelo

Religion in Colonial American Literature

Religion has always been an important aspect of history. Religion helps people to dictate the way that they will their lives, and what they believe in. The importance of religion during colonial times is expressed through their literature. Colonial American literature serves as proof of the bond between people and their religion, and for the way that people choose to live during this time and why. Colonial literature is a good account of history during colonial times. It is very expressive, and often gives rules to live by during the writing, along with the consequences that would follow if religion and rules were not respected. Authors like William Bradford, John Winthrop, and Cotton Mather provide great pieces of literature that help to describe the way religion affected colonial times.

The story of his life begins in a town in Yorkshire. He lost his father at a very young age, and he was raised by his father’s parents. He never went to college, but he learned all about farming. In his preteen years, he began to listen to the sermons of a minister named Richard Clyfton (Baym, 2008). Clyfton’s sermons were a very influential part of Bradford’s life. The sermon included the teachings of the Old Testament. His follower considered themselves as Seperatists, which meant that they formed small separate churches that were the total opposite of a national church (Baym, 2008). With strong influence from the life changing sermons, Bradford grew to become a self educated man who was completely committed to his religion. The works of William Bradford are an explanation of his traveling from England to America. Characteristics of his works included the spirit of determination and self sacrifice (Baym, 2008). Bradford and a group of pilgrims came across the waters from England to settle in America. They ended up in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where Bradford was quickly elected governor. He was the chief judge, he ran agriculture and trade, and he controlled the land. He became a role model for the people of Plymouth (Baym, 2008). He remained a governor there until five years before he passed away.

Bradford’s religion had a great influence on his literary works. Throughout his works he refers to the fact that God has paved the way for him, and explains how God punishes those who try to change what He has set in place. In his piece, “Of Plymouth Plantation”, he describes in very good detail the journey over the seas as he and the pilgrims were coming to America. In the sermon, he describes a man who was strong and conceited. He teased people in their