The Puritans

American Literature

MR. DAVIS Chapter 1 PURITAN BACKGROUND

The Puritans We all are familiar with the story of the ﬁrst Thanksgiving, William Bradford, Captain Miles Standish, the harshness of the ﬁrst winter, how Native Americans helped them grow corn, and how they learned to live together peacefully. We also know that the United States is a nation founded on religious freedom. The settlers of Puritan New England are the prime reason for our national belief in religious freedom. SECTION 1

Religous Freedom

Today, we think of religious freedom broadly. We should be al- lowed to call almost anything a religion and be free to pursue it. When we receive public criticism for our beliefs, we call foul, re- tain a lawyer, and sue for damages. The Puritans who settled in New England had a much starker reality. The political unrest in England in the early 17th century centered squarely on a question of religion. During the reign of James I, Puritans grew their TO BUILD A CITY UPON A HILL political power in Parliament and began to question the Roman Catholic tendencies of The Church of England. King James ap- ❖ Governor John Winthrop led the earliest settlers to peased them during his reign. As Charles I took over the throne, New England in 1630. the tone changed dramatically. King Charles crushed the voice ❖ They originally intended to land in fertile New of Puritans by dismissing Parliament twice and then finally dis- England, but storms sent them off course to Cape banding it permanently in 1629. Left with out a political voice, Cod. Puritans could face physical as well as philosophical persecution ❖ Their prolonged voyage caused them to miss the under Charles the First or leave England. The exodus of Puri- planting season and suffer the pangs of starvation and tans from England began in 1630 under the inspiration and lead- illness during their ﬁrst winter. ership of Governor John Winthrop. Like Americans today, Puri- ❖ Early settlers deﬁned the hard work, faith, and spirit tans sought the freedom to practice their beliefs without interfer- of cooperation that still remain core values today. ence by the government. The settlement of New England by the Puritans over the next fifty years established many of the core

2 American values we hold dear today. They were also responsi- ble for one of the darkest chapters in Colonial history, The Salem Witch Trials in the Spring of 1692.

Review 1.1 Puritan Background

Question 1 of 3 Leader who appeased Puritans in Parliament.

A. James I

B. Charles I

C. Oliver Cromwell

D. John Winthrop

Check Answer

3 SECTION 2

McCarthyism

Looking back, we can appreciate that our understanding of religious freedom is far from complete. The suffering of the Puritans was harsh and very real. We also take for granted that their fail- ures in Salem could never be repeated. The 1950’s proved how freedom and complacency can once again lead to disaster. The motivation behind the trials stemmed from the feelings of greed, lust for power, and paranoia running rampant in society. In the MCCARTHYISM Fifties, witches were not the concern, but the growth of Commu- nism or “The Red Scare” had a stranglehold on the American ❖ McCarthy claimed 205 Communists were occupying psyche. Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin set off alarms high positions in American Government. of paranoia when he claimed the 205 “card carrying” Commu- ❖ Writers, Government ofﬁcials, and even the U.S. Army nists had infiltrated the government. History tells us that there were brought before McCarthy’s committee for alleged were Communist spies operating in the U.S. during the time, Communist ties. that many Americans felt that Socialism may be an answer to ❖ Although thousands were accused, McCarthy never the economic and social unrest brought on by The Great De- presented a single piece of evidence in nearly four years pression, but McCarthy’s methods were at issue. For four years, of accusations. he accused government officials, writers, soldiers of Communist ❖ After being wrongly accused, playwright Arthur Miller activities and not a single accusation was ever proven. As was inspired to write The Crucible to expose injustice. McCarthy grew in power, people lost their jobs and many writers had to write under different names. Accused author Arthur

4 Miller was so angered by the “witch hunt” that it inspired him to write his most famous work, The Crucible.

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5 Chapter 2 ANNE BRADSTREET

Anne Bradstreet holds a unique place in American literature for a variety reasons. For much of her life, Bradstreet’s poems were private reﬂections on family, hardship, and faith until her brother-in-law secretly had them published in 1650 making Bradstreet the ﬁrst colonist to publish a volume of poetry. True to Puritan values, Bradstreet’s poems brought perspective to the challenges of the early Puritans in New England with a simple sincerity of faith that illustrated the very best of Puritan values. SECTION 1

Upon the Burning of Our House

In silent night when rest I took, For sorrow near I did not look, I wakened was with thund’ring noise MAIN POINTS And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice. That fearful sound of “fire” and “fire,” ❖ Anne’s house burned down in the middle of the night. Let no man know is my Desire. ❖ The poem focuses on her dealing with the loss of her possessions and possibly her faith. ❖ The poem uses a narrative structure to reveal her I, starting up, the light did spy, reﬂection on faith. And to my God my heart did cry ❖ Like people in Modern Society, Bradstreet must To straighten me in my Distress overcome her attachment to material things to fully understand her purpose in life. And not to leave me succourless. Then, coming out, behold a space ❖ The adversity of the ﬁre ultimately brings her to a greater understanding and happiness about life. The flame consume my dwelling place.

7 No pleasant talk shall ‘ere be told And when I could no longer look, Nor things recounted done of old. I blest His name that gave and took, No Candle e'er shall shine in Thee, That laid my goods now in the dust. Nor bridegroom‘s voice e'er heard shall be. Yea, so it was, and so ‘twas just. In silence ever shalt thou lie, It was his own, it was not mine, Adieu, Adieu, all’s vanity. Far be it that I should repine; Then straight I ‘gin my heart to chide, He might of all justly bereft And did thy wealth on earth abide? But yet sufficient for us left. Didst fix thy hope on mould'ring dust? When by the ruins oft I past The arm of flesh didst make thy trust? My sorrowing eyes aside did cast Raise up thy thoughts above the sky And here and there the places spy That dunghill mists away may fly. Where oft I sate and long did lie. Thou hast a house on high erect Here stood that trunk, and there that chest, Framed by that mighty Architect, There lay that store I counted best. With glory richly furnished, My pleasant things in ashes lie Stands permanent though this be fled. And them behold no more shall I. It‘s purchased and paid for too Under thy roof no guest shall sit, By Him who hath enough to do. Nor at thy Table eat a bit.

8 A price so vast as is unknown, bol of faith. “Thou hast an house on high erect,/Framed by Yet by His gift is made thine own; that mighty Architect.” What seemingly started out as a trag- edy was actually a great gift for Bradstreet because it pro- There‘s wealth enough, I need no more, vided her the perfect opportunity recommit herself to the val- Farewell, my pelf, farewell, my store. ues she holds most dear. The world no longer let me love, My hope and treasure lies above.

Analysis It is quite interesting what Bradstreet leaves out of her narrative poem. The poem opens with her house ablaze. She doesn’t talk about what happened before, the cause of the fire or describe the circumstances in detail. The idea she wants to focus on is the growth of her faith so the fire is merely the circumstance of hardship that makes her appreciate what’s truly important. Think about the relationship between despair and faith. It takes adversity for most people to truly appreciate the important things in life that our often taken for granted. She engages her audience by first acknowl- edging the human condition; we are all materialistic. Brad- street falls into the same trap that many of us would today; she is overly concerned about the destruction of her possessions. She takes an inventory of all that is lost and we under- standably nod along with her. Then she slaps herself and her readers with a powerful rhetorical question, “Didst fix thy hope on moldering dust?” After all, what do Puritans or any society built on faith ultimately live for? The resolution of the poem comes easily with the metaphor of the house as a sym-

9 Chapter 3

THE CRUCIBLE

The most interesting fact about The Crucible is the source of its inspiration. Arthur Miller was so furious at Senator Joseph McCarthy and his accusations that he sat down and wrote the play as a literary protest. Although much of the source material was from the original Salem Witch Trials of 1692, Miller’s purpose was to exorcise the current demons of McCarthy’s witch hunt of the early 1950’s. SECTION 1

Act I

Like Bradstreet, Arthur Miller doesn’t waste any time in engag- ing his audience in the drama of his play. The fire that is Salem in 1692 is already burning. As Miller’s play opens, Proctor and Abigail’s affair has already happened, Abigail has already been dismissed by Elizabeth Proctor, and Abigail’s thirst for revenge has girls dancing in the forest and Reverend Parris consumed by a power struggle with Thomas Putnam for control of Salem. MAIN POINTS With external conflicts springing from every direction, themes of Power, Fear, Revenge, and Lust consume and confuse the ❖ Preceding the play, Abigail and John Proctor have an audience’s attention in Act I. Written in 1953 and inspired by affair of some sort. the accusations of Joseph McCarthy, the play was intended to ❖ Abigail has been dismissed as the Proctor’s servant. serve as a stark reminder that history does repeat itself and the ❖ Reverend Parris is struggling for control of Salem. instruments of justice can be manipulated by those in power with catastrophic effect. ❖ Thomas Putman is angry that his brother-in-law Bayley was not named minister of Salem. ❖ John Proctor openly expresses his deﬁance of Rev. Parris. ❖ Betty Parris is extremely ill from an unknown cause.

11 SECTION 2

Act I of The Crucible

Act One Excerpts Betty was frightened and then she fainted. And there’s the Reverend Parris whole of it. Parris, pressed, turns on Parris: Child. Sit you down. her: And what shall I say to Abigail, quavering, as she sits: I would never hurt Betty. I love them? That my daughter- her dearly. and my niece I discovered Parris; Now look you, child, your punishment will come in its dancing like heathen in the time. But if you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must forest? know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin Abigail: Uncle, we did me with it. dance; let you tell them I Abigail: But we never conjured spirits. confessed it - and I’ll be whipped if I must be. But they’re speakin’ of witch-craft. Betty’s not witched. Parris: Then why can she not move herself since midnight? This child is desperate! Abigail lowers her eyes. It must come Parris: Abigail, I cannot go before the congregation when I out - my enemies will bring it out. Let me know what you know you have not opened with me. What did you do with done there. Abigail, do you understand that I have many ene- her in the forest? mies? Abigail: We did dance, uncle, and when you leaped out of Abigail: I have heard of it, uncle. the bush so suddenly, Parris: There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit. Do you understand that?

12 Abigail: I think so, sir. Abigail: They want slaves, not such as I. Let them send to Barbados for that. I will not black my face for any of them! With ill-concealed resentment at him: Do you begrudge my bed, uncle? Reflection Parris: No - no. What is revealed about Parris’ character? Abigail, in a temper: My name is good in the village! I will What conclusions can you draw not have it said my name is soiled! Goody Proctor is a gossip- about why people oppose Par- ing liar! ris? Abigail: Now look you. All of you. We danced. And Tituba Abigail Williams conjured Ruth Putnam’s dead sisters. And that is all. And mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a Parris, to the point: Abigail, is there word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the any other cause than you have told black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckon- me, for your being discharged from ing that will shudder you. And you know I can do it; I saw In- Goody Proctor’s service? I have heard dians smash my dear parents’ heads on the pillow next to it said, and I tell you as I heard it, mine, and I have seen some reddish work done at night, and that she comes so rarely to the church I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down! this year for she will not sit so close to She goes to Betty and roughly sits her up. Now, you - sit up something soiled. What signified that and stop this' remark? But Betty collapses in her hands and lies inert on the bed. Abigail: She hates me, uncle, she must, for I would not be her slave. It’s a bitter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman, and Marry Warren, with hysterical fright, What’s got her? Abigail I will not work for such a woman! stares in fright at Betty. Parris: She may be. And yet it has troubled me that you are Abby, she’s going to die! It’s a sin to conjure, and we - now seven month out of their house, and in all this time no Abigail, starting for Mary: I say shut it, Mary Warren! other family has ever called for your service.

13 Reflection Abigail: Give me a word, John. A soft word. Her concen- trated desire destroys What actions reveal the character of Abigail Wil- liams? his smile. Why were the girls dancing in the forest? Why does Proctor: No, no, Abby. That’s done with. Abigail refuse to confess as Mary Warren advises? Abigail, tauntingly: You come five mile to see a silly girl fly? I Abigail Williams and John Proctor know you better. Abigail: Gah! I’d almost forgot how Proctor, setting her firmly out of his path: I come to see strong you are, John Proctor! what mischief your uncle’s brewin’ now. With final empha- sis: Put it out of mind, Abby. Proctor, looking at Abigail now, the faintest suggestion of a knowing Abigail, grasping his hand before he can release her: John - smile on his face: What’s this mis- I am waitin’ for you every night. chief here? Proctor: Abby, I never give you hope to wait for me. Abigail, with a nervous laugh: Oh, Abigail, now beginning to anger - she can’t believe it: I she’s only gone silly some-how. have something better than hope, I think! Proctor: The road past my house is Proctor: Abby, you’ll put it out of mind. I’ll not be comin’ a pilgrimage to Salem all morning. for you more. The town’s mumbling witchcraft. Abigail: You’re surely sportin’ with me. Abigail: Oh, posh! Winningly she comes a little closer, with a Proctor: You know me better. confidential, wicked air. We were dancin’ in the woods last night, and my uncle leaped in on us. She took fright, is all. Abigail: I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near! Or Proctor, his smile widening: Ah, you’re wicked yet, aren’t y’! did I dream that? It’s she put me out, you cannot pretend it A trill of expectant laughter escapes her, and she dares come were you. I saw your face when she put me out, and you closer, feverishly looking into his eyes. You’ll be clapped in loved me then and you do now! the stocks before you’re twenty. Reflection He takes a step to go, and she springs into his path.

14 What is clear about the relationship between Abigail and John Proctor? Why did the relationship end? Reverend Hale Parris, quickly: Will you look at my Rebecca Nurse daughter, sir? Leads Hale to the bed. She has tried to leap out the window; Rebecca, sitting: I think she’ll wake in we discovered her this morning on the time. Pray calm your-selves. I have highroad, waving her arms as though eleven children, and I am twenty-six she’d fly. times a grandma, and I have seen them all through their silly seasons, and when it Hale, narrowing his eyes. Tries to fly. come on them they will run the Devil bowlegged keeping up Putnam: She cannot bear to hear the with their mischief. I think she’ll wake when she tires of it. A Lord’s name, Mr. Hale; that’s a sure child’s spirit is like a child, you can never catch it by running sign of witchcraft afloat. after it; you must stand still, and, for love, it will soon itself Hale, holding up his hands: No, no. Now let me instruct you. come back, We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is precise; ... the marks of his presence are definite as stone, and I must tell Rebecca: If so he is, then let us go to God for the cause of it. you all that I shall not proceed unless you are prepared to be- There is prodigious danger in the seeking of loose spirits. I lieve me if I should find no bruise of hell upon her. fear it, I fear it. Let us rather blame ourselves and - Reflection Hale, with a tasty love of intellectual pursuit: Here is all the What is revealed in this excerpt? invisible world, caught, defined, and calculated. In these books the Devil stands stripped of all his brute disguises. Why can we trust Rebecca Nurse more than Rever- Here are all your familiar spirits - your incubi and succubi; end Parris? your witches that go by land, by air, and by sea; your wizards How does Rebecca’s wisdom foreshadow the out- of the night and of the day. Have no fear now - we shall find come of Act i? him out if he has come among us, and I mean to crush him utterly if he has shown his face! He starts for the bed.

15 Reflection What character trait is clearly developed in the pas- sage? Despite his good intentions, what personality flaw fuels the hysteria in Salem?