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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:

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Puritan Literature and The Scarlet Letter

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  1. Puritan Literature and The Scarlet Letter Background Information

  2. 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. 

  3. Puritan Literature Timeline Highlights

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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 story one is the symbolic meaning used to express religious, political, social, or moral ideas Example: 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.

  8. 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”

  9. 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

  10. Nathaniel Hawthorne and the New England Renaissance/American Transcendentalism1804-1864 (Salem, MA) Related to participants of Salem Witch Trials Contemporary of Poe Considered a Gothic American Writer Credited (with Irving and Poe) with developing modern short story Major Literary Traits Strong use of symbolism A psychological approach to horror Focus with Puritan preoccupation with evil/supernatural Elements of Transcendentalism and Gothicism

  11. 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

  12. 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>.

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