Please notice the reading assignments are now shorter!
- Read Norton7th headnote pgs. 11-12 ("Writing in Tongues" & "Pilgrim & Puritan). We'll finish the rest next week. You may also find the timeline on 15-16 useful.
- Read Norton7th pgs. 57-58 (William Bradford biography) and the following sections of Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation: middle of 60 to middle of 61 ("Being thus arrived..." to "before the sons of men.")... bottom of 63 to bottom of 64 ("so being very weary" to "called that place the First Encounter") bottom of 65 to middle of 66 ("I shall a little return" to "as cases did require")... top of 68 to top of 69 ("All this while" to "befell him and his men")... middle of 71 to middle of 75 (MR. MORTON section & PROSPERITY WEAKENS section)
- Read Norton7th pgs. 75-76 (John Winthrop biography) and section II of Winthrop's sermon "A Model of Christian Charity" (bottom of 84 to middle of 87)
- Read Norton7th pgs. 97 (Ann Bradstreet biography) and Bradstreet's poems "Before the Birth of One of Her Children" (107-08) and "To My Dear and Loving Husband" (10)
- Read Norton7th pgs. 43-45 (John Smith biography), the following sections of his General History of Virginia... top of 48 to bottom of 53 ("And now the winter approaching" to "God hath still delivered it") and the following sections of his Description of New England... top of 54 to top of 55 ("Who can desire more" to "worthily deserve them.")... top of 56 to middle of 57 ("For I am no so simple" to "country, master, and servant.")
The 10 answerers and the 10 questioners should comment in reply to this post by Monday. But anyone else is welcome to join the discussion. Here are my questions.
- 11. How would you classify the genre, audience, and purpose of Winthrop's "Model of Christian Charity" ? (Consider the detail given on 11 about when and where it was first 'published.') Compare to the genre, audience, purpose, and setting of Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation.
- 12. What does Bradford's phrase "this evil world" (85) tell you about Puritan religious views? Compare to Bradstreet "fading world" ("Before the Birth" line 1 on pg. 107). Do the Puritans view New England as a paradise or as a hell? Both? Explain.
- 13. Clearly Winthrop considers the Massachusetts Bay Company's "covenant" with the divine (God/Jesus Christ) to be more important than its charter with the government of England. Compare these two 'contracts' to the so-called Mayflower compact that Bradford quotes on 66 and to the Puritans' agreement with the aboriginal chief Massassoit that he quotes on 68.
- 14. The Puritan authors make use of a literary technique called typology, in which they compare their experience in America to that of the early Hebrews (Jews) and the early Christians, as written in the Jewish/Christian holy bible. (See Bradford on 60-61 and Winthrop at the bottom of 85 for examples). But typography, to me, is more generally representative of the mental state of the traveller or migrant. It is not possible to see a new place and its people "as they really are"; instead, you try to organize them using your previous concepts and experiences. Please give an extended example of this more general "typology" phenomenon, either in literature/film, or in your own personal life.
- 15. What evidence do we have from Winthrop that the Puritan community is seeking to be more egalitarian than society in England? How does he think this can be accomplished?
- 16. Winthrop's "city on a hill" (86 - a quote from the Christian Bible) is one of the most famous phrases in U.S. politics. Even recent American politicians like John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Arnold Schwarzenegger continue to use it. What do you take this phrase to mean, and how might its meaning conflict with the "radical linguistic and cultural diversity of the [American] colonial world" that the Norton editor speaks about on 12?
- 17. Describe the various actions of Morton that make him "lord of misrule" and a kind of anti-Bradford or anti-Winthrop (71-74). Why does Bradford think Morton's "sundry rhymes and verses" are somehow different than, say, Bradstreet's? Would he consider John Smith to be a lord of misrule?
- 18. Do you recognize the poetic form Bradstreet is using? I mean the music/time/meter of the verse. Where else have you seen it? There are only a few examples where she violates the rule of this form, and they seem to be intentional; what is their effect and how does it relate to the meaning of the lines. (See line 5 & 6 of "Birth" and lines 10-12 of "Husband").
- 19. This Disney movie is the version of the John Smith / Pocohontas story most Americans are familiar with. What assumptions/changes are made to the story in this short video clip that may conflict with Smith's account, and/or with historical fact?
- 20. You can tell Smith's outlook is very different from that of the three Puritan authors; he says at the top of 56 that there is no "motive" for coming to America "other than wealth." Indeed, Description of Virginia would probably be best classified as an advertisement. Imagine you are a modern advertising specialist who has been transported back in time to help John Smith improve his 1616 ad with advertising techniques from 2009. You may trade to another student with more interest in advertising, graphic art, etc.
I am the "expert" of question number 19 (Carol Lin hahaa.
ReplyDeleteHere is my answer to it:
1. Pocahontas was not a grown up, voluptuous, love-smitten woman when she met Captain John Smith. In fact, she was about 11 or 12 years old, while he was nearly 30.
2. The story of Pocahontas offering her own life in exchange for Smith's is legendary. Historians believe this event actually took place as part of the ritual when her father, Powhatan adopted Smith as his son, in an attempt to secure peace with the colonists.
3. John Smith did not succumb to the influence of her tribe's nature-centered spiritual beliefs, as the movie implies. On the contrary, Pocahontas converted to Christianity, and was baptized, Rebecca before marrying colonist, John Rolfe at age 19.
4. In the movie, John Smith became a prisoner because Thomas (an Englishman) accidentally shot and killed an Indian named Kocoum, while in the text, Smith got captured after himself getting shot by arrows.
5. The details of John Smith being prison are mentioned in the text, while in the movie, it isn’t.
6. Whether or not Pocahontas in the real history saved John Smith has been a controversial issue.
7. When John Smith and the Englishmen traveled to Virginia, in the movie, there is a Governor on the ship with them. And I’m not sure whether in the real history, the governor does exist?
Hi this is Crystal, posting one reflecting qestion from my reading.
ReplyDeleteQ: When I read the introduction part, I found out that the Native American people could speak a lot more sorts of languages than those Europeans did. Does this have something to do with their linguistic features? Or is there any other reasons for this phenomenon?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAs a questioner I'd like to ask the following question:
ReplyDeleteIn page 11 & 12, the text mentions that there were places mixed with "foreigners." Of course, the languages they used must be mixed together. How would the language change or get in to balance in order to communicate? In other words, what kind of language they might be used in this kind of complex composition of residents?
sorry that I delete last comment for I found a misspelling word.
This is Esther, who come to post a question :)
ReplyDeleteWhen reading these given texts, it is easy to find words or even paragraphs of narrative which discriminated Native Americans. Is it only because these European explorers have stronger martial might, wear refined clothing instead of hand-woven cloth and “more civilized” (but this is from the European’s point of view)? Take pilgrims as an example, in the beginning of their first coming, it is the help from Indians that prevent them from freezing and starving to death. And there are still many cases to show that actually Native Americans are not as dumb as what Europeans regard as; I wonder: what kind of self confidence or what kind of thought lead to such disparagement?
This is Caleigh Chang, one of this week's questioners. :)
ReplyDeleteFrom the works of the female poet Anne Bradstreet, we can see some phenomenon from women's points of view in the 17th century America. Are her works published and known because she had a relatively better background (her father and husband), or that she had better education, or the publication of female voices are readily seen in that period?
What were women's roles in the period?
Morison said, "The wilderness made men stern and silent, children unruly, servants insolent."
If "men" didn't include "women", and that women weren't mentioned, could it be because women can adapt themselves to the new and tough environment more easily then men, and that they could provide comfort to the men and their children?
This is Ken, and I am assigned to answer Q13. Just try and see.
ReplyDelete"Covenant" with the divine and the charter with the government of England: The person who mentions this covenant is John Winthrop, the leader of a group of English Puritans. The reason why he thought the covenant with the divine is more important than the charter with the government of England is because he believes his fellow people can land on America successfully is because of God’s providence. Moreover, in Winthrop’s writing, he mentioned that if people dissipated God’s providence, “the Lord will surely break out in wrath against us… and make us know the price of the breach of such a covenant.”
The Mayflower compact (66): People who sign this compact belong to the Pilgrims and some “strangers” (who came along for economic purpose, as seen in the footnote on page 66). They crossed the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower. The purpose of this compact is to establish a government (still under the England sovereign) in order to solve the governing problem of Virginia and New England. In this compact, we can observe that the “just and equal laws” (66) are mentioned, and that indicates those people put special emphasis on justice and equality and that kind of notion deeply influence the modern America.
The Puritans’ agreement with the aboriginal chief Massassoit (68): This agreement is signed by the Puritans and the native chief. In this agreement, the strong sense of equality or “an eye for an eye” can be observed such as “That if any of his did any hurt to any of theirs, he should send the offender, that they might punish him.” (68) The main purpose of this agreement is to make peace with the natives, and after this agreement is settled down, the natives guide the Puritans how to make a living.
This is Clara, who come to post a question.
ReplyDeleteOn page 86, why does Winthrop believe that to follow the counsel of Micah is the only way to avoid this shipwreck? Instead of discoursing by himself, why doesn't he directly quote Bible about the way God want his people to do?
I am really looking forward to our class discussion tomorrow. In particular I want to say how good the questions you wrote are.
ReplyDeleteThis is Natalie Liu, the expert of Question18.(@@)
ReplyDeleteThe poetic form that Anne Bradstreet uses is Iambic Pentameter. (Iambic feet indicates to an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. Pentameter means that there are 5 foot within a line of a poem.) The closing feet of these two poems, "Before the Birth of One of Her Children" and "To My Dear and Loving Husband", are said to have masculine endings because they are standard iambs (end with a stressed syllable).
However, the lines 5 and 6 of "Before the Birth of One of Her children" and the lines 10 to 12 of "To My Dear and Loving Husband" violate the rule of this form (Iambic Pentameter). Unlike the other lines, the form of these lines is Iambic Hexameter (6 foot) and have feminine ending (The closing feet of lines end with an extra unstressed syllable).
Note: Since we have never learned about "poetic form(s)" before, especially how to distinguish them, can Professor make a briefly introduction for us?
In order to answer this question, I look up the book "A Glossary of Literary Terms" and try to figure out the 'feet' and 'meter' as much as I can. Therefore, please correct my answer if there is something wrong...
Moreover, I can not figure out why the author intentionally violateds the rule. I slso do not know the effect of the violated-rule towards the meaning of the lines. Therefore, I do not post my answers of these two "sub-questions" of Question number 18. (sorry >.<)
This is Jenny, a questioner of this week.
ReplyDeleteIn John Winthrop’s article, it seems that the Puritan’s settlement in America is mainly for a better Christian community, or enterprise. Also, his sermon says more about discipline on individual. Does his model of Christian charity include converting the Natives into Christianity?
I’m Vincent. Here’s my answer to question number 12.
ReplyDeleteI think “this evil world” may refer to the mass people who have already lost their pathways to communicate with the God. They get lost from the guidance of the God and abandoned in the darkness of desperation. The Puritans consider themselves as fellow members of Christ, guided by His holy ordinances and chained with other members by the bond of love. Their sense of belonging and community is based on consortship between fellows and covenant with the God. But when I read “Before the Birth” by Bradstreet, I feel the importance of individual gains more weight. She focuses more on the inspection of conscience and the chain of love between her families, which makes me seem “this fading world” simply as her fear and uncertainty toward her possible death.
While I infer the Puritans view New England as a paradise compared with “the evil world”, I consider it as a hell to the Puritans also. Compared with the warm bond of love between fellow members, their relationships with the God are much colder connection of covenant. In Puritans’ point of view, the God isn’t only the mere symbol of charity but also a jealous and selfish being. The covenant shows the fear and caution of the Puritans when dealing with the God.
Here comes Viola's question:
ReplyDeleteAfter reading William Bradford's biography, can we say that his lifelong background has more influence on American's religious belief than political stand? If the answer is positive, what might have been the intervention for American's modeling after Bradford's spirit toward peace, but led American to a huger empire?
This is Sydney, a questioner of this week.
ReplyDeleteAt the bottom of page 10, the text mentions that "Puritans thus addressed themselves ...or rational understanding and heartfelt 'saving faith'"
Here's my question: How does it make difference for Puritans by changing addressed themselves to the "unregenerate to address themselves to "indifferent"? And what's the meaning of the "heart" and the "mind" here? How to distinguish them?
This is Sharon for the 20th question ＊ =)
ReplyDeleteJohn Smith did manage to encourage more English people to follow the path he had made and colonize the so-called New World. He continuously suggested an idea that—here in New England, everyone may be a master and owner of their own labor and land; even if they have nothing but their hands, they may quickly become rich by industry or business. As you can see, all the above mentioned or the details within the text are mostly good reasons for coming to America, aren’t they?
However, as far as I am concerned, if people want to have a successful advertisement nowadays, it is very important to first have a “SWOT analysis” for their product. The word “SWOT” stands for “Strength,” “Weakness,” “Opportunity,” and “Threat,” which indicate that it is not enough to just tell your customers the good points of your product (Strength) without knowing the product’s drawbacks (Weakness), potentials (Opportunity) and competitors (Threat). For example, if we consider “coming to New England” a product and sell it, the Strength might be the money and social status the invaders can get from this land; the Weakness would be the historical records they might leave for the history; the Opportunity might be more explorers would spring up and could even find more new lands; the Threat would be other countries besides England would come to New England to compete with England as colonizer.
Hence, if I were a modern specialist who has been transported back in time to help John Smith improve his Description of Virginia ad, I would say to him: “ You had better prepare your ‘SWOT’ analysis’ for the New England dream which you are going to build.”
This is Tracy, one of the questioners this week.
ReplyDeleteIn John Smith’s writing, he said that“there is no motive for coming to America other than wealth.”Compare with the letters of Christopher Columbus and think about their influences toward the later period; and as contemporary readers, how can we perceive the two works in our own terms?
I’m assigned to answer Q.15.
ReplyDeleteOn page 85, Winthrop writes, “[s]econdly, for the work we have in hand. It is by a mutual consent, through a special overvaluing providence and a more than an ordinary approbation of the Churches of Christ, to seek out a place of cohabitation and consortship under a due form of government both civil and ecclesiastical. In such cases as this, the care of the public must oversway all private respects, by which, not only conscience, but mere civil policy, doth bind us. For it is a true rule that particular estates cannot subsist in the ruin of the public.” This paragraph gives the evidence that the Puritan community is seeking to be more egalitarian than society in England.
The more egalitarian society can be accomplished only by following the counsel of Micah, “to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God. For this end, we must be knit together in this work as one man…… always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, our community as members of the same body. So shall we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.” (86)
This is Winnie Hung, and my assigned question is 16.
ReplyDeleteIn a Model of Christian Charity, Winthrop says, “For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us…” (86) Here, by comparing themselves to “a city on a hill,” Winthrop reminds his fellow people that others will know and mock at them once they do things wrong. Yet I think he is also expressing a bigger wish here: to become a model of the world or even to change the world. In the Christian Bible, from which the phrase “city on a hill” is quoted, it says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5.14-15) “City on a hill” is a model for all who can see it—a model that gives light to others and therefore changes them.
Nevertheless, in page 12, according to the Norton editor, as readers, we should not neglect the fact that in a colonial world there is great linguistic and cultural diversity. Take language for example. To choose to use one language over another involves complicated factors, such as identity and competitions as well as conflicts among countries. In Winthrop’s comparison, “city on a hill” is what all others look at. Yet in America back then, there were actually multiple powers existing at the same time and great differences as well. Therefore, people do not always look at and look for the same thing. Inevitably, before the light from the “city on a hill” could reach other people, it might have to triumph over all the conflicts first.
I’m Tady and here’s my answer to question 11.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the texts in Norton, we could see that the purpose of Winthrop's "Model of Christian Charity" is to describe his ideal Christian society in the new colony. This “sermon” (one kind of the genres) was delivered either before the ship departing from England or on the high seas, and the audience of it may be the members on the ship Arbella. However, the text is very different from Bradford's “History of Plymouth Plantation”. Bradford's text looks like his “personal journal” about the life at Plymouth. He described the difficulties the Puritans faced in the new colony, and it took him for almost twenty years to finish the book. I don’t quite sure about his purpose and audience of this text, but I guess that he tried to record many things he has faced or heard in order to show the later generations of how their ancestors live in such difficult circumstances. He also emphasized the importance of religion in the text.
This is Ted, here's my response to question #17:
ReplyDeleteIn Bradford's description, Morton was the cunning schemer working his way toward a leader. By his sweet
talk, he managed to seduce the minds of those servants and outthrown the appointed Lieutenant Fitcher. This
"leader" of which Morton was trying to possess was not a position to govern, but a position to corrupt. He obtained money from trades for the purchase of alcohol, to hold parties, and to have excessive relations with Indian women. These trades involve selling firearms to the Indians. When the Indians acquired guns, bow and arrows are nothing more than toys to them, and this causes conflict between the Indian traditions and colonizational customs; to make matters worse, the Englishmen were terrified by the fact that Indians have gunpower, since it made the peace between the imigrants and the Indians harder to maintain. Bradford was trying hard to gain peace by setting up agreements and cooperating with the Indians; the base beforehand was to have peace and cooperation between the Englishmen. Both Bradford and Winthrop had shown this ideal in their recordings, but Morton was violating and damaging this concept.
Another thing by religious and law perspectives, both Bradford and Winthrop sought to govern the colony under the law and covenant of the English King and Christian faith. Recall Winthrop once announced "The end is to improve of Christ...that ourselves and posterity may be the better preserved from the common corruption of this evil world.(p.85)" Morton, by contrast, was setting up this "Merrymount" for sheer and licentious delight. Not only did he and those servants party around the idol-like maypole (which is definitely against the Christian faith), when other Englishmen of different territory united and urged Morton to abandon these conducts, he answered "that the King's proclamation was no law (p.73)." Obviously, Morton was an anti-Bradford/Winthrop.
We don't have a recording of Morton's sundry rhymes and verses, but there should have been a great difference in content comparing to Bradstreet's poetry. While Bradstreet's verses are meditative poems and others to show concern for family, Morton's were promiscuous in content to libel or to make scandals of certain individuals. At this point, I would like to show that this was also evidence of how an anti-Winthrop Morton was. Morton's verses and conduct violates the conclusion of A Model of Christian Charity, where Winthrop announced “we must delight in each other, make other’s conditions our own…our community as members of the same body. (p.86)”
As for John Smith, other than not showing the misbelieves of Indian religion (actually they shouldn’t be termed as “religious”), and trying to teach the Christian faith to the Indians, I don’t see why we should consider him a lard of misrule. After all, he was just a prisoner trying to avoid death.