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Puritan Plain Style: A Window into Early American Literature

Delve into the Puritan Plain Style of writing from 1620 to 1750, characterized by simplicity, spirituality, and references to God. Explore archaic terms, inversions, and the work ethic of early American settlers through works like "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and "Of Plymouth Plantation."

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Puritan Plain Style: A Window into Early American Literature

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  1. Puritan Plain Style1620 to 1750 Patsy Hamby AmLit/Comp

  2. Simple • Straight-forward style of writing • Simple language

  3. Spiritual • Self examination and instruction • References to God and religion • Allusions to scripture: • 1611: King James I orders translation of Bible • 1647: Colonial law establishing public schools so people can read Bible

  4. Archaic Terms • Uses words that are out of circulation • Examples; “thou,” “thee,” “hath”

  5. Inversion • Reversed sentence structure • Example: “In silent night when rest I took.” • Bradstreet • “I know not.” • Miller

  6. Work Ethic • Idle hands will do the devil’s work • Early Pilgrims worked 300 days a year, as opposed to the average 240 days a year worked in Europe

  7. Genres • All nonfiction • Historical Narratives • Journals • Diaries • Religious poems • Letters • Pamphlets • Newspapers

  8. Writers/Titles • Jonathan Edwards • “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” • Arthur Miller The Crucible • Anne Bradstreet • “To My Dear and Loving Husband” • “Upon the Burning of Our House” • William Bradford • Of Plymouth Plantation • Mary Rowlandson • The Captivity and Restoration of Mary Rowlandson

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