As I read our three Pilgrim-era pieces of literature, I am continually thinking to myself, "Who does this author think he is?" Each piece is written in a such a sacrosanct tone, that it feels as if the author is trying to imitate the Bible in his writing. Perhaps I, as a 21st century reader, am just used to a more down to Earth style, but I wonder if, for example, William Bradford had hoped that Of Plymouth Plantation might one day be read in the same light as the book of Acts. Another thing to note is the different ideas Bradford and Wintrop hold regarding the duties of the individual to the rest of the community. Bradford tells us, "the taking away of property and bringing in community into a commonwealth would make them happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God," (133). He goes on in the context to talk about the desire of the men to work only for their own families. However, Winthrop's model says, "If the time and occasion be ordinary he is to give out of his abundance." This argument persists to this day; can it be traced back to these two works?
Mike,
ReplyDeleteIt is true that the Puritans generally stove to take the Bible as their model for life, so you may be on to something here.
LDL
After learning about Winthrop's role in the Anne Hutchinson trial, I think that for him at least, imitating Biblical language was another way for him to control what theological ideas came to Puritans. Of course, Anne's divine revelations posed a threat to that.
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