Reflection: Puritan Writing (Rowlandson & Bradstreet)

I read A Narrative of Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson by Mary Rowlandson tonight. Not just because I had to, but also because it is a great example of puritan writing. I have wanted to expand my knowledge of different types of literature. From Mr. Langley's power point, I would be able to see that most Puritan writing has examples relating to God and excerpts from the Bible. The puritans were pilgrims who are people that simply are expanding their religion to others. Almost like those obnoxious people you get knocking on your door in the middle of a hundred and eight degree day dressed in a full, scorching hot suit trying to get you to follow them and their church. Well, these puritans traveled to America and wandered around place to place. In their writing, like in Mary Rowlandson's, the reader can see the several instances where she backs up her opinions upon the Bible by quoting the Bible, exemplifying his greatness and insight. Essentially, I see this as dull, and almost lack luster writing because it is like a 'preachy' type of thing. But, what ever floats your boat. Mary Rowlandson was a pilgrim who worked hard and was a provider of care. She was always thinking about her children, how and where they were. She had a great capacity of love for them (Rowlandson 84). I think it was really sad when Mary Rowlandson came back to find her schild had been buried(Rowlandson 83). She did not even get to say goodbye (Rowlandson 83). But in her writing, the reader can see that she passes by that obstacle through out her connection with her religion and her God. This story is plain, and their is no real adventure. By adventure, I mean excitement. Mary Rowlandson led a very depressing life.


"Upon the Burning of Our House" by Anne Bradstreet is a similar example of puritan writing to that of Mary Rowlandson. The example is within the writing and not clearly seen with the naked eye. Unlike Mary Rowlandson, Anne Bradstreet did not clearly state examples of the bible and relate it to the situation at hand. Anne Bradstreet showed her alliance with God through her gratitude for what she had and responding to it in thanks as for he had given it all to her. Anne uses the word 'Him' for God in examples of saying how he provided for her when he had so much else better to do, essentially (Bradstreet 91). Mary is essentially getting over the fact that her house was burned to ashes and every one of her possessions were turned to rubble. It is her puritan ways that leas her to this safe explanation; that God had this plan and what will come will come. We see that in the end, it all works out. "God provided" for her (Not to be mistaken with 'him' like some strange man off the street helped her with her life crisis), and she ends up in a good place because of her puritan ways (Bradstreet 91).


Bradstreet, Anne. "Upon the Burning of Our House." Glencoe Literature. Ed. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Co, 2009. 91. Print.

Rowlandson, Mary. A Narrative of Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson. Glencoe Literature. Ed. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Co, 2009. 82. Print.