Puritan Writings and Bradford

Many of America’s first recorded writers came from Puritan backgrounds.  The ideas and beliefs of these people had a great influence over their writing style and view of the New World.  Many Puritan authors, like Bradford, shared these qualities even in a very diverse realm of literature.  William Bradford reflects Puritan writing qualities in his narration History of Plymouth Plantation by his simplistic writing style, Christian viewpoint, and diary-like feel to it. 

                Bradford like many other Puritan writers of his day followed a very simplistic style of writing.  He stated what needed to be said with none of the extra information or opinions.  When times were tough, he chose to explain the events just how they happened in a calm and collected tone.  “But that which was most sad and lamentable was that in two or three months’ time half of their company died, especially in January and February, being the depth of winter, and wanting houses and other comforts” (Bradford 65).  This quality of Puritan writing is easy for the reader to interpret and understand which was important because the Bible was the only widely read source of literature in that day.  Bradford wrote his book so that others could read it and see God’s greatness through his protection of the colony. 

                Most Puritan writings are full of references to and passages from Scripture.  This work by William Bradford is no different.  Bradford’s Christian standpoint is evident in History of Plymouth Plantation because he acknowledges a higher presence in the trials and dangers of this world and constantly thanks God for providing for the colonists.  “Squanto continued with them and was their interpreter and was a special instrument sent by God for their good beyond their expectation” (Bradford 67).  Bradford believed, like other Puritan writers, that God is the creator of all things both good and evil.  He knows that there is a reason behind everything and recognizes that both the secular and religious extremes can be very dangerous.

                Another quality of Puritan writing displayed by Bradford in History of Plymouth Plantation is its diary context.  The narration follows the chronological order of events in which they occurred.  Bradford wrote it like a history book.  He listed the events that took place and kept most of his opinions to himself.  Often he would include a summary of what was to follow at the beginning of the chapter.  “Off the troubls that befell them on the coaste, and at sea, being forced, after much trouble to leave one of ther ships and some of their companie behind them” (Bradford 68).   This journal feel to his book fit in well with other Puritan works of his time.  It was a logical way to interpret the events in the New World in a simple and unbiased way.  Many other Puritan works had this diary feel to them like Mary Rowlandson’s A Narrative of Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson. 

                William Bradford showed the qualities of simplistic style, Spiritual perspective, and a diary layout in his book History of Plymouth Plantation that reflected similar Puritan writings.  These similar qualities run throughout a variety of books written during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Much of the Puritan’s way of life revolves around their Spiritual life, so it is apparent that it has made such an impact on their writing.  Many of these Puritan works have influenced life in America, and sowed the seeds for perseverance and strength in this country. 

Bradford, William. "Of Plymouth Plantation." American Literature. Ed. Jeffrey Wilhelm. Columbus: McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2009. 63-70. Print.