“Of Plymouth Plantation”

“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

“Of Plymouth Plantation”