A. William Bradford

Thesis Statement~

In an excerpt from William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation, although the Puritans experience hardship in their voyage to America, in their initial arrival and in their dealings with the Indians, they still maintain their reverence to god and to one another (their initial reason for fleeing England).

Passage~

Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element. And no marvel if they were thus joyful, seeing wise Seneca was so affected with sailing a few miles on the coast of his own Italy, as he affirmed, that he had rather remain twenty years on his way by land than pass by sea to any place in a short time, so tedious and dreadful was the same unto him.

http://www.georgetowncollege.edu/Departments/English/coke/bradford.htm

Reflection on Passage~

The success of the Puritans making it to America brought them bliss as they blessed their god and the world around them. This passage filled me with joy as I imagined the puritans blessing the world one minute, and their god the next. It was obvious to see how important religion is to the Puritans, for the entire time on the ship they continued to believe that god will always be with them and help them in their time of need. Also, as I read this passage, I could almost see the pilgrims kneeling down to the earth, blessing god, with tears falling from their eyes in merriment. After everything the Puritans had been through, they deserved every bit of joy and pride overcoming their emotions. Furthermore, not only were the Puritans delighted for making it to America, but they were also excited about their free life that lay ahead of them.

Political Extension~

When American Colonists arrived in America, they hoped for a better life, which theme is never ending as immigrants continue to arrive in America in search of a better life, or better known as “the American Dream”. In this political cartoon, a man is portrayed with a terrible life, going out into the world and trying to fix things for himself and his family. Likewise, this hardship is reminiscent of the Puritans in Europe who, once without religious freedom, came to America as religious dissenters, in search of the freedom they lacked. Furthermore, this cartoon also displays the same lost man holding a sign which reads, "Go home, Illegal". This action depicts that this man was able to steal a few things and make this new place his new home. He came to the country with nothing, yet he becomes empowered to voice his opinion and to refuse others such passage into America. This is very similar to the colonists for they came to America disregarding the Indians and calling them savages as they took their land in pride. Now the question is, how does the freedom of an individual affect their character?

B. Anne Bradstreet

Poem~

In Reference to Her Children

I had eight birds hatched in one nest,
Four cocks there were, and hens the rest.
I nursed them up with pain and care,
Nor cost, nor labour did I spare,
Till at the last they felt their wing,
Mounted the trees, and learned to sing;
Chief of the brood then took his flight
To regions far and left me quite.
My mournful chirps I after send,
Till he return, or I do end:
Leave not thy nest, thy dam and sire,
Fly back and sing amidst this choir....

In Reference to Her Children is continued here:

http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/Bradstreet/reference.htm


Reflection~

A mother’s love towards her children will last a lifetime, and their bond is unbreakable. Bradstreet’s love towards her children is obviously seen in this poem, and as I read each verse, I continued to think about my mother and how strong our bond is. It is hard to imagine a life without a mothers love and kindness. Furthermore, although Anne Bradstreet wrote this poem in the 1600s it seems as if she wrote it in the 21 century because no matter what society, decade, or century we are in, mothers will continue to go above and beyond in order to give their children the best life possible. Also, Anne Bradstreet, just as all of the other mothers in today’s society all dread the day their children leave, and have a common goal of fending for their young. Mothers from all nationalities would give up their lives for their children no matter how old or young they are. This poem made me realize the importance of mothers and their strength as a human being. They endure and give so much of their life to us that it should be a duty for children that in return, we should give back to them. For we only have one special mother who we would give up our lives in a second to save.

Political Extension~

Women are regarded as deficient and are assumed to lack a certain characteristic which puts them at a lower level than males in society. This political cartoon portrays one woman, sitting amongst many males, which suggests how the female presence is in minority, and almost appears to be a token, thus reinforcing male dominance in government. Furthermore, the political cartoon is similar to Anne Bradstreet’s society because, although Anne wrote poetry, it was not the traditional role of women at this time. Moreover, this cartoon displays the woman stating that she “intend[s] to ask questions about your views on women’s rights…”’ and the man running for senator responds, “’Do you have your husband’s permission?”’ With this brutal comment the man is disparaging the woman because he not is acknowledging her intelligence, independence, or her equal rights, which disqualifies her authority. It is interesting to see that after all these years, the character of mankind has made so little improvements, in contrast to our many technological advancements.

C. Edward Taylor

1. Thesis:

In Edward Taylors, "Huswifery" the author is able to convey his strive to purify himself and to gain gods grace through literary conceit, diction, and Rhyme.

Huswifery

Make me, O Lord, Thy spinning-wheel complete.
Thy holy word my distaff make for me.
Make mine affections Thy swift flyers neat
And make my soul Thy holy spool to be.
My conversation make to be Thy reel
And reel thy yarn thereon spun of Thy wheel.

Make me Thy loom then, knit therein this twine:
And make Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, wind quills:
Then weave the web Thyself. Thy yarn is fine.
Thine ordinances make my fulling-mills.
Then dye the same in heavenly colors choice,
All pinked with varnished flowers of paradise.

Then clothe therewith mine understanding, will,
Affections, judgement, conscience, memory,
My words and actions, that their shine may fill
My ways with glory and Thee glorify.
Then mine apparel shall display before Ye
That I am clothed in holy robes for glory.

2. Reflection