After reading A Narrative of Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson by Mary Rowlandson and "Upon the Burning of our House" by Anne Bradstreet, were both written by Puritans. From reading these two passages, I was able to gain a strong understanding of the importance of God in Puritan writing styles.
In A Narrative of Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, the reader can see the author's Puritan values come through from her many mentions of God. For example, in the story the author says, "O the wonderful power of God that I have seen, and the experiences that I have had! I have been in the midst of those roaring lions and savage bears that fear neither God nor man, nor the devil, by night and day, alone and in company, sleeping all sorts together; and none of them ever offered the least abuse of unchastity in word or action. Though some are ready to say that I speak it for my own credit; but I speak it in the presence of God, and to His Glory."(Rolandson 85). This means that the author is grateful to God for the experiences that she has had. I think that this is a bright side that the puritans tend to look at when they think of experiences that God is testing them with. I believe that this passage also means that the Rowlandson is grateful to God for letting her survive all of the challenges she has faced such as the lions and bears (Rolandson 85). From this passage I can tell that the author is also grateful for having her be captured by people that do not endanger her virtue or harm her physically and mentally, and she attributes this stroke of fortune to God and his mercy (Rowlandson 85).
The poem "Upon the Burning of our House" by Anne Bradstreet, also exemplifies some qualities of traditional Puritan writing. This poem focuses mainly on the authors feelings as her house is burned to the ground (Bradstreet 91). The author feels sadness that all of her material goods are being burned up and turned to ash (Bradstreet 91). The author thinks about all of the special events like having guests over will no longer be able to happen because her house has burned up (Bradstreet 91). Bradstreet now has no material objects left in the world, but she only lapses into self pity for a short amount of time. As she dwells on her burned house, she begins to think of God (Bradstreet 91). This seems to cheer her instantly and provide some comfort over the tragic event (Bradstreet 91). Much like the other author Mary Rolandson, Bradstreet manages find a bright side to her situation. In the poem she says, "Raise up thy thoughts above the sky, That dunghill mists away may fly. Thou hast a house on high erect, Framed by that mighty Architect."(Bradstreet 91). This means that the author begins to turn her thoughts toward heaven (Bradstreet 91). She is comforted by thinking that the house that burned up was not her real home, but that heaven is her real home (Bradstreet 91). I can tell that the author believes that her place in heaven is worth more to her than any worldly possession.
Bibliography:
Rowlandson, Mary. "A Narrative of Capture and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson." Glencoe American Literature. N.p.: McGraw Hill, 2009. 82-85. Print.
Bradstreet, Anne. "Upon the Burning of Our House." Glencoe American LIterature. N.p.: McGraw Hill, 2009. 91. Print.
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