Literature of the

Puritan Period

Welcome to the Puritan Period

Puritanism
a religious movement that
originated in the late 1500s that
sought to reform the Church of
England. Puritans wanted to rid
the Church of England of any ties
to Catholicism.
 Puritan Literature
A literary movement that is popular in New
England around the 17th century. The goal was to
uphold the word of God and the Bible, and to
make the religion of Puritanism more accessible
and relevant to every person.
 The Puritans
• believe in religious freedom and individual
relationship with God.
• believe that the government should enforce moral
rules through punishment.
• everyone should live a sin-free life as possible.
 History of Puritan Literature
• first emerged in England
1534 - Church of England separated itself from the Catholic Church.
1553 - reverted to Catholicism.
1558 - Queen Elizabeth took the throne.
1600s - many Puritans fled to England, they went first to Holland and then the
Americas.
• due to the growing distance many second or third-generation New
Englanders felt from the Puritan Church and the aftermath of the Witch
Trials, many New Englanders began to turn to Protestantism.
• Puritanism faded from popularity and became a way of living.
 Characteristics of Puritan Literature
• direct and focused of offering instruction from a Biblical point of view.
• relied on a first-person narrative.
• relied on religious, rather than entertainment theme.
• relied on specific genres.
• took the form of a sermon, poem, letter, or historical narrative.
• relied on a simple style of writing.
• authors used direct and simple language.
• relied on Biblical allusions.
• relied on fears, by using fear to reach the readers, the author throught there was
better potential for change.
 " To My Dear Beloved Husband "
• written in 1650, by Anne Bradstreet
• Anne Bradstreet was a Puritan pilgrim living in the colony of
Massachusetts and was known for her Puritan poetry. -
• Her poem "To My Dear Beloved Husband" provides a glimpse
into an aspect of Puritan life not often seen in Puritan literature.
• It allows the reader to see the relationship between a husband
and wife and how that is shaped by Puritanism.
 " The Bay Psalm Book "
• written in 1640
• The Bay Psalm Book was printed in 1640 in the colony of
Massachusetts.
• The Bay Psalm Book was a translation of the Book of Psalms
from Hebrew into English.
• The Bay Psalm Book was worked on by many Puritan authors
and leaders, including Richard Mather and John Eliot..
 Puritan Literature : Influential Authors

• William Bradford (1590-1657)

• Rev. Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
• Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)
• Thomas Vincent (1634-1678)
• John Flavel (1628-1691)
 the end of

Puritan Period

Welcome to the Puritan Period