“Of Plymouth Plantation”

William Bradford and the Puritans

The Puritans

Wanted to purify the Church of England and make it more practical and personal

Suffered religious persecution Saints vs. Sinners, either one or the

other, but no clear distinction to measure… “saints” were saved by the grace of God and could feel this grace arriving

William Bradford, 1590-1657

Grew up in England Had no formal higher education Became part of a group of

Nonconformists when he was 12 This group fled to Holland in 1608 to

avoid persecution 1620 set sail for the “New World”

William Bradford, cont.

Landed in Plymouth in December of 1620

His wife fell (or jumped) as they approached the “New World”

½ the settlers died of cold, disease, and malnutrition that first winter.

In the end, many left Plymouth and lost sight of Bradford’s “ideal society”

The Pilgrims

Someone who makes a pilgrimage or journey

For Puritans this was also an inner journey to salvation

Writing Style

Plain style Now seems difficult but in 1600s it

was considered simple and direct No elaborate figures of speech and

imagery Style mirrored the way they lived their

lives: plain & unadorned

Of Plymouth Plantation

Purpose: not to attract more colonists, but to inspire future generations to carry on the Pilgrim ideals (not meant for immediate publication)

A record of it was kept and first published in 1856, but parts had been lost during the Revolutionary War

Read It (pps 28-33)

Look for places where Bradford links Pilgrims’ experiences with God’s Plan for their salvation

Also… take note of the plain style and purpose