- Published: December 15, 2021
- Updated: December 15, 2021
- University / College: University of Massachusetts Boston
- Level: Masters
- Language: English
- Downloads: 24
American Literature 2. To what extent does Anne Bradstreet’s poetry reflect the Puritan mindset and culture? What in her poetry is surprising for a Puritan to express, and what is not?
Ann Bradstreet was a typical puritan, as depicted by her poems. Much of her work represents a struggle to accept adversities in puritan beliefs. The “ Tenth Muse” is surprisingly puritan as Bradstreet wrote it from a personal perspective rather than a conventional one. For instance in one of her poems, she writes of a real event whereby her family house is burnt down. In another, she writes on her fear of death. Both cases represent her puritan beliefs on reward for good deeds and transition of earthly treasures into eternal treasures (Baym 27). However, her feminist mindset is surprisingly not puritan.
How does Edwards’ “ Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” reflect both Puritan and Enlightenment sentiments?
Edward’s works confirms the perceived image of hell using biblical quotations. The work largely reflects on puritan and enlightenment sentiments. This provides a glimpse of the great awakening theology. The sermon depicts hell as a real place that is prepared for sinners. These sentiments are in line with puritans beliefs of America been the light of the world.
What is Cotton Mather’s basic and leading premise in the reading selection from The Wonders of the Invisible World? From that premise, what argument/point of view does he attempt to justify?
Cotton Mather’s leading principle is that God’s people are living in devil-infested territories. He discusses devils plan to overturn the church and the plantations with help from the sinners. From the premise, Cotton Mather wanted to justify the role of the church in American prosperity. Her work also demonstrates puritan’s views on the church and American prosperity.
Works Cited
Baym, Nina. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Vols. A and B. 7th ed. New York: WW Norton, 2007