AMERICAN LITERATURE - 19TH CENTURY
Q: What are the five values of Puritanism?
Answer: Puritanism, a religious reform movement within the Church of England in the 16th and 17th centuries, held a complex set of values. While there were variations within the movement, here are 5 core values that characterized many Puritans:
Strict adherence to the Bible: Puritans believed the Bible was the ultimate authority on all matters of faith and life. They aimed to purify the Church of England by removing practices and ceremonies not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. This included simplifying worship, emphasizing sermons, and rejecting rituals like using statues or stained glass.
Predestination and individual accountability: Puritans believed God predetermined who would be saved and who wouldn't (predestination), but individuals still had a responsibility to live moral lives according to God's law. This emphasis on personal conduct led to a strong focus on hard work, self-discipline, and resisting temptation.
Plain living and high thinking: Puritans rejected ostentatious displays of wealth and luxury, seeing them as distractions from God. They valued simplicity, moderation, and practicality in their homes and dress. This led to a focus on education, literacy, and building communities based on shared values.
Community and social order: Puritans believed in creating a "city upon a hill," a model society based on biblical principles. They emphasized community cooperation, strong families, and strict moral codes. This sometimes led to intolerance of dissenting viewpoints and harsh punishments for perceived sins.
Education and literacy: Puritans saw education as crucial for understanding the Bible and living a moral life. They established schools and universities, prioritizing literacy and religious instruction. This emphasis on education had a lasting impact on American society.
It's important to remember that these values aren't monolithic, and there were variations and debates within Puritanism. However, they provide a general framework for understanding the core principles that guided many Puritans.
It's also worth noting that some aspects of Puritanism, such as intolerance and strict social codes, have been criticized for their negative impact on certain groups. Examining the complexities and contradictions of Puritanism is important for a nuanced understanding of this historical movement.
Q: What did the Puritans believe?
Answer: The Puritans were a complex group with various beliefs, but some core tenets defined their movement:
Religious Reform:
- Purification of the Church of England: They felt the Church had retained too many Catholic practices and rituals not found in the Bible. They desired simpler worship and stricter adherence to scripture.
- Predestination: Influenced by Calvinism, they believed God predetermined who would be saved ("the elect") and who wouldn't. This led to a constant quest for signs of God's favour or disapproval.
- Individual Covenant with God: Each person had a direct responsibility to live righteously according to God's law.
Social and Political Views:
- Theocracy: They believed the government should enforce moral codes and support true religion. This led to strict laws and regulations in their communities.
- Importance of Education: Knowledge of the Bible was crucial, so they emphasized literacy and education for all, including women.
- Plain Living: They embraced simplicity and hard work, avoiding ostentatious displays of wealth or leisure.
It's important to remember that:
- Puritanism wasn't monolithic: Different groups within the movement had varying interpretations and levels of radicalism.
- Their beliefs had a lasting impact: They profoundly shaped the religious, social, and political landscape of early America.
Outdoor Activities:
- Hiking, picnicking, and fishing: Spending time in nature was cherished, providing relaxation and spiritual reflection.
- Hunting: This practical activity also served as a community bonding experience.
- Shooting: Marksmanship drills were not just for defense, but also a competitive sport.
Social Activities:
- Singing and playing instruments: While opposed to "papist" church music, they enjoyed secular music and instruments like lutes and drums at home.
- Storytelling and games: Riddles, puzzles, and board games like checkers were popular pastimes, especially for children.
- Community gatherings: Harvest festivals, weddings, and raising bees offered opportunities for socializing and celebration.
- Courting and marriage: While following strict guidelines, courtship could involve playful banter and gift-giving.
Creative Activities:
- Literature: Many Puritans wrote religious and secular poems, journals, and letters.
- Visual arts: While avoiding religious imagery, some created portraits, decorative needlework, and even painted furniture.
- Crafts: Building, woodworking, and other practical crafts served both function and enjoyment.
It's important to remember:
- Moderation was key: Activities were chosen and enjoyed in moderation, not seen as indulgent.
- Community approval mattered: Public opinion and religious guidelines influenced what was considered acceptable "fun."
- Variations existed: Practices differed between regions, social classes, and individual interpretations of faith.
Overall, while their priorities differed from ours, the Puritans found ways to enjoy leisure and celebrate life within their religious framework. They weren't fun-haters but rather had a different definition of what constituted enjoyable and meaningful recreation.
Q: What basic principles did the Puritans live by?
Answer: The Puritans held a complex set of beliefs and practices, but some key principles guided their lives:
Religious Focus:
- Predestination: They believed God predetermined who would be saved (the "elect") and who wouldn't, leading to a constant search for signs of one's own salvation.
- Covenant Theology: They felt a special covenant with God to live morally and build a godly society. Failure to do so could bring God's punishment.
- Biblical Authority: The Bible was seen as the literal word of God, dictating every aspect of life, from worship to social order.
Moral Strictness:
- Plain Living: They valued simplicity and shunned elaborate displays of wealth or pleasure.
- Hard Work and Thrift: Diligence, self-denial, and material success were signs of God's favour.
- Community and Order: Social cohesion and maintaining a moral community were paramount, achieved through strict rules and regulations.
Church and Society:
- Separatism: Many Puritans sought to separate from the Church of England, which they deemed too Catholic, leading to migrations like the Mayflower voyage.
- Congregationalism: Each local church was self-governing, emphasizing lay participation and individual piety.
- Education: Literacy and education were highly valued to understand the Bible and participate in religious discussions.
It's important to remember:
- Not all Puritans were identical, and there were variations in beliefs and practices even within communities.
- Their strictness and sometimes harsh practices have been debated and criticized throughout history.
- Despite their limitations, Puritan ideals like education, self-reliance, and community spirit left a lasting influence on American society.
1. Bible Literacy: Central to their faith was the belief that individuals could directly interpret and learn from the Bible. This required widespread literacy, as the Bible wasn't readily available in spoken English then. By ensuring everyone could read, the Puritans aimed to create a society well-versed in scripture and able to discern religious truth for themselves.
2. Combating Heresy: The Puritans distrusted established religious authorities and feared false teachings. An educated populace, equipped to read and analyze the Bible independently, could resist manipulation and maintain religious purity within their community.
3. Civic Participation: An informed citizenry was crucial for their envisioned theocratic society. Education fostered critical thinking, encouraged participation in public discourse, and ensured informed decision-making in matters of law and government.
4. Morality and Virtue: Literacy, according to the Puritans, contributed to moral development. Reading religious texts and learning proper conduct were believed to instil God-fearing behaviour and strengthen the moral fabric of society.
5. Practical Benefits: While primarily driven by religious motives, education also offered practical advantages. It equipped individuals with skills necessary for daily life, trade, and contributing to the new settlements.
It's important to remember that while valuing education, the Puritans' approach had limitations. Their focus was primarily on religious texts and promoting their specific beliefs. Additionally, educational opportunities weren't equally accessible to all members of society, with women and minority groups often facing restrictions.
Despite these limitations, the Puritans' emphasis on education left a lasting legacy on American society. Their early efforts paved the way for public education systems and instilled a belief in the importance of literacy and learning for all.
Q: What are the main characteristics of Puritanism?
Answer: Puritanism was a religious reform movement that arose within the Church of England in the late 16th century. The Puritans believed that the Church of England had strayed too far from its Protestant roots and needed to be "purified" of Catholic practices and traditions.
Here are some of the main characteristics of Puritanism:
- Strict adherence to the Bible: Puritans believed that the Bible was the literal word of God and that it should be followed in all aspects of life. They emphasized the importance of personal Bible study and interpretation.
- Predestination: Puritans believed in the doctrine of predestination, which states that God has already predetermined who will be saved and who will be damned. This belief led to a focus on introspection and self-examination, as individuals sought to determine whether they were among the elect.
- Plain living and high thinking: Puritans rejected luxury and ostentation, believing that they were distractions from serving God. They valued hard work, thrift, and education.
- Emphasis on morality: Puritans believed that it was important to live a moral life by God's law. They were strict in their observance of the Sabbath and other religious holidays, and they condemned activities such as gambling, drinking, and dancing.
- Importance of community: Puritans believed that they had a responsibility to build a community based on Christian principles. They established churches with a strong emphasis on preaching and community life.
Puritanism had a profound impact on English and American history. It helped to shape the development of democracy, education, and social reform. However, it also led to intolerance and persecution of those who did not share their beliefs.
Q: How did Puritanism start?
Answer: Puritanism arose in England during the 16th century as a religious reform movement within the Church of England. Here's a breakdown of its beginnings:
Seeds of Dissatisfaction:
- King Henry VIII separated the Church of England from the Catholic Church in 1534, but many felt it didn't go far enough.
- Queen Mary's reign (1553-1558) briefly restored Catholicism, pushing Protestant dissenters like early Puritans into exile.
- Exposure to Calvinism during exile strengthened their desire for stricter reforms.
Demands for "Purification":
- Upon Queen Elizabeth I's ascension (1558), England returned to Protestantism, but not to the satisfaction of Puritans.
- They believed the Church of England retained too many Catholic practices and rituals.
- They sought to "purify" the church by removing these elements and adopting a simpler, more Biblical form of worship.
Two Paths Emerge:
- Nonconformists within the Church pushed for reforms from within, facing persecution from authorities.
- Separatists felt the Church was beyond saving and established independent congregations outside its structure.
Impact and Legacy:
- Puritanism significantly influenced English religious and political thought.
- Some Puritans, like the Pilgrims and Massachusetts Bay colonists, migrated to North America seeking religious freedom and established colonies based on their beliefs.
- Puritanism's emphasis on morality, education, and self-discipline left a lasting mark on American society.
Q: How did the Puritans treat the literature during the 19th
century?
Answer: It's important to clarify that the Puritans lived
primarily in the 17th century, not the 19th. Their influence on literature continued and evolved in the 19th century, but their direct interaction with literature wouldn't have happened then.
Puritanism's
Influence on 19th-Century Literature:
While the Puritans were
gone by the 19th century, their legacy and worldview deeply impacted American
literature. This manifested in several ways:
1. Themes:
Religious Conflict: Many 19th-century works grappled with religious themes like predestination, sin, and redemption, reflecting ongoing debates about Puritan theology. Examples include Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" and Herman Melville's "Moby Dick."
Individualism vs. Community: Puritan emphasis on community clashed with the rising Romantic ideal of individual expression. This became a central tension in works like Ralph Waldo Emerson's essays and Walt Whitman's poetry.
·
Duality of Good and Evil: Puritan
belief in a constant battle between good and evil persisted in works like
Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The House of the Seven Gables" and Edgar Allan
Poe's macabre short stories.
2. Moral
Instruction:
·
Like their Puritan predecessors, some 19th-century writers aimed to
impart moral lessons. Authors like Harriet Beecher Stowe used their novels
to advocate for social reforms based on Christian principles.
3. Criticism and
Rejection:
·
Not all 19th-century writers embraced Puritan
ideals. Some, like Mark Twain, satirized them for their
hypocrisy and rigidity. Others, like Henry David
Thoreau, challenged their emphasis on conformity and advocated for
individual freedom.
Overall:
· The Puritans, despite not physically being in the 19th
century, cast a long shadow on American literature through their
themes, moral views, and the complex reactions they inspired.
Q: How did Puritans
worship and behave?
Answer:
The Puritans, primarily active in the 17th century, had unique practices
regarding worship and behaviour driven by their strict religious beliefs.
Here's a breakdown:
Worship:
Simplicity: They believed in simple, scripture-based worship devoid of elaborate rituals or ornamentation. Services centred on lengthy sermons focusing on personal conversion and salvation.
Preaching: The central figure was the minister, delivering passionate sermons analyzing scripture and exhorting moral behavior. Puritans attended multiple sermons on Sundays and weekdays.
Sabbatharianism: Sundays were observed strictly for religious activities, avoiding work or entertainment.
Music: Unlike the Church of England, they prohibited instruments in worship, favouring a cappella singing of psalms.
Sacraments: They recognized only two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper, performed simply and focused on their spiritual meaning.
Family Worship: Daily, family-led prayers and Bible readings were crucial in their domestic piety.
Behavior:
Morality: They emphasized strict moral codes based on biblical interpretations. Activities like dancing, gambling, and public displays of affection were deemed sinful.
Community Focus: They believed in a "covenant community" where individual conduct mattered for the whole society. Transgressions were publicly discussed and punished.
Plain Dress: They shunned ostentatious clothing, favouring simple and practical attire symbolizing humility and devotion.
Education: Literacy and education were highly valued as tools for religious understanding and moral guidance.
Hard Work: They embraced hard work and thrift as signs of God's favour and indicators of a virtuous life.
Q: Why did Puritans in England reject fiction? Is it simply because it is seen as entertainment and, therefore, a distraction from dedicating one's life and every single action to worship God, or is there any more detailed explanation?
- Truth and Accuracy: Puritans valued the Bible as the ultimate source of truth. They felt fiction, with its fantastical elements, could mislead people and distract them from learning religious truths.
- Focus on Morality: Puritan life centred on living a moral and righteous life. They believed fiction could promote idleness, and immorality, and even lead people to believe in false idols or practices.
- Literal Interpretation: The Bible often uses stories and metaphors. However, Puritans tended to take scripture very literally. They worried that fictional stories might blur the lines between real events and invented ones.
- Distraction from God: The Puritans believed their primary purpose was to glorify God. They saw excessive leisure activities, including reading fiction, as a distraction from prayer, work, and serving God.
However, it's important to note that:
- Some Religious Allegory Accepted: Puritans did accept some forms of allegorical writing, where stories conveyed religious messages. John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is a famous example.
- Focus on History: Puritans valued accurate historical accounts as a way to learn about God's work in the world.
Overall, the Puritans' rejection of fiction stemmed from their desire for a life focused entirely on worshipping God and living according to strict moral codes. They viewed fiction as a potential source of distraction and falsehood.
Q: Write a critical note on Puritanism.
Answer: A Critical Look at Puritanism
Puritanism, a reform movement within the Church of England in the 16th and 17th centuries, left a lasting impact on both English and American history. While it fostered a strong work ethic and emphasis on education, it also harboured intolerance and a rigidity that stifled social expression.
Strengths:
- Moral Compass: Puritans provided a clear moral code, emphasizing personal piety, self-discipline, and living a virtuous life. This emphasis on morality helped build strong communities with a focus on social order.
- Education: Puritans believed in an educated citizenry well-versed in scripture. This focus on education led to the founding of many schools and colleges in America, laying the groundwork for a future emphasis on learning.
- Work Ethic: The Puritan belief in predestination, where God has predetermined salvation, led to a strong work ethic. Hard work was seen as a sign of being among the elect, chosen by God for salvation.
Weaknesses:
- Intolerance: Puritans believed in a strict interpretation of the Bible and showed little tolerance for dissent. This led to persecution of those with differing religious views, pushing some to seek religious freedom elsewhere, like the Pilgrims who sailed for the New World.
- Social Repression: Puritan suspicion of frivolity and leisure led to a suppression of many forms of social expression, such as art, music, and dance. This strict social order could be stifling and encourage hypocrisy.
- Patriarchal Society: Puritan society was strictly patriarchal, with limited rights for women and children. This rigid social structure could be oppressive for those outside the dominant male role.
Legacy:
Puritanism's influence is undeniable. It shaped the development of the American government and society, with its emphasis on self-reliance, representative government, and education. However, its social conservatism and intolerance continue to be debated.
In conclusion, Puritanism was a complex movement with both positive and negative aspects. While it fostered strong morals and a work ethic, it also created a rigid and intolerant society. Understanding its legacy is essential for comprehending the development of Western societies.
Q: What does Transcendentalism mean?
Central Ideas:
- Individualism: Belief in the inherent goodness and potential of every person.
- Intuition over Reason: Emphasis on personal experience and intuition as the path to truth, rather than relying solely on logic or established knowledge.
- Nature's Divinity: Seeing nature as a source of spiritual connection and a reflection of the divine.
- Self-Reliance: Importance of individual thinking and acting independently, free from societal constraints.
Key Figures:
- Ralph Waldo Emerson: A prominent essayist and lecturer considered the father of Transcendentalism.
- Henry David Thoreau: A writer and advocate for simple living and connection with nature.
Q: What is Transcendentalism?
Individualism and Self-Reliance: Transcendentalists believed in the inherent worth and potential of each individual. They emphasized self-reliance, the ability to think for oneself and chart one's own course in life, free from the constraints of rigid social norms and institutions.
Intuition over Reason: While acknowledging the value of logic and reason, Transcendentalists placed greater emphasis on intuition and direct experience as a way to access deeper truths. They believed that true knowledge comes from within, through a connection with the Oversoul, a universal spiritual force that connects all things.
Nature as a Source of Truth: Transcendentalists saw nature as a divine presence, a source of inspiration and spiritual renewal. They believed that by immersing oneself in nature, one could achieve a deeper understanding of oneself and the universe.
Nonconformity and Reform: Transcendentalists were critical of societal structures and institutions that they felt stifled individual expression and perpetuated social injustice. They advocated for social reforms, including the abolition of slavery and the fight for women's rights.
