Puritan Writing

The writings of Mary Rowlandson and Anne Bradstreet are filled are filled with evidence of Puritan ideals.  Mary Rowlandson was the wife of a reverend in the town and her writing showed that her religion was very important to her.  In spite of being captured by Wampanoag Native Americans, she was not afraid and refuses to withhold her belief that no matter what happens, God will always be there and will protect and provide for her. Rowland was under a significant amount of stress during this book, but when her distress or worries came she would take them to God, saying that He is in control.  Quoting Psalms she writes, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee” (Rowlandson 3).  Another quote which reveals her patience and strong beliefs comes from Exodus, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” (Rowlandson 3).  Mary is a rather unusual but interesting character.  Many people faced with her situation might blame God for allowing it to happen to them.  But Mary was not this way.  She would in the midst of her suffering praise God for his great mercy in her life.  After the death of her child, Anne wrote, “I have since then thought of the wonderful goodness of God to me, in preserving me so in the use of my reason and senses in, that distressed time that I did not use wicked and violent means to end my own life” (Rowlandson 2).  Losing a child is a time of great sorrow, but she was able to see that even though it seemed like her life was falling apart, God was still and always would be there. 

            The other writer, Anne Bradstreet, also used her religion as a refuge when bad things happen.  In the story, Anne’s house burns down, but she is neither angry nor afraid.   Imagine having your house burned down before your eyes.  Would you be nervous or angry that it was your house that was destroyed?  These may be the ways that many people would react to such a tribulation, yet Anne reminds the reader that everything belongs to the Lord.  The house that burned to ash was not Anne’s but rather it belonged to God who had allowed for her to use it.  She wrote, “I blest his name that gave and took, that laid my goods now in the dust.  Yea, so it was, and so ‘twas just.  It was his own, it was not mine” (Bradstreet 1).  She had no need to worry about where she would live or how this event would affect her life.  Whatever happens, she knew that God would provide for and be gracious to her. 

            These two writings reveal how Puritans felt about God.  They constantly trusted Him, knowing that they will face tribulations, but He will be there to see them though.  They have no need that will unmet.  Although Mary was taken captive, she was later released.  Anne’s house may have burned down, but she had faith that the Lord would provide for her through this time.

Glencoe. American Literature. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. Print.