Of Plymouth Plantation short literature analysis
Of Plymouth Plantation kelinepie There is no success without hardship. ” Sophocles, an ancient Greek poet, said these words betuyeen 496406 B. C. , but his words are incorporated in the Puritan society work ethic, and the Ameren tradition Imagine moving to an unknown place because of religious persecution, Very few people would take the risk to move from their home country.
to an unknown land that is far from family and friends. However, the Puritans, a group of people who grew discontented in the Church of England, broke away by deciding to rncr. e to the New World to “purify” the church and their own lives.
Cuen before they landed, they had to surmount to their first challenge Sailing across a vast body of water, the Puritans faced violent storms and strong winds that rocked the Mayflower, They also fared other Mother Nature-like challenges such as finding food. water, and shelter in the New World. Besides Mother Nature, the Puritans also dealt with Human Nature dilemmas.For instance, the Puritans had many quarrels and disagreements between themselves and other Puritans or Native Americans. The Puritans must overcome great difficulties in settling New England One particular challenge the puritans faced with Mother Nature was the long ourney on the Mayflower to the New World with an arrogant man. The Puritans, who were already tightly packed into one ship, had to deal with a young man who mocked the sick and was eager to throw them overboard.
There was a proud and very profane young man, one of the sea-men, of a lusty, able body, which made him the more haughty; he would always be condemning the poor people in their sickness, and cursing them daily with grievous execrations, and did not let to tell them, that he hoped to help to cast half of them overboard before they came to their journey’s end, and to make merry With what they had; and if he ere by any gently reproved, he uuould curse and swear most bitterly (Bradford, 1). This situation served as a challenge to the puritans because they were treated harshly aboard the ship.Their trip to the New World was already long and arduous.
Having an arrogant person aboard the same ship made matters worse. During the journey, the Puritans were probably infuriated and annoyed with this man. They had no other choice, but to deal with him until he died; he being first person to be thrown overboard Another challenge the Puritans faced with Mother Nature was the storms and he strong winds that caused beams to be broken. Sailing across an unknown body of water, the Puritans faced violent storms and strong winds.It challenged sailors to be weary at all times, from dawn to dusk, for fear of the boat tipping overboard. One storm was so violent that it broke the shroud of the ship, a necessary part ota sailboat that holds the mast up from side to side. After they had enjoyed fair winds and weather for a season, they were encountered many times with cross winds.
and met with many fierce storms, with which the ship was shroudly shaken, and her upper works made very leaky; and one of the main eams in the mid ships was bowed and cracked, which put them in some fear that the ship could not be able to perform the voyage (Bradford, I).Stuck in the middle of the ocean, their main beam was broken due to strong winds from a violent storm, Ifthe main deck of the ship had cracked, because of lightening or waves. there was always that fear that their boat was going to sink or that they would all die before reaching the New World. The Puritans were able to solve this dilemma by fixing the ship with iron screws some passengers had brought from Holland. ut in examining of all opinions, the master and others ffirmed they kncw the ship to be strong and firm underwater; and tor the buckling of the main beam, there was a great iron screw the passengers brought out Of Holland, Which would raise the beam into his place; the Which being done, the carpenter and master affirmed that with a post put under it, set firm in the deck, and other-ways bound, he would make it sufficient (Bradford, I) After raising the main beams back into place, the ship was sturdy enough to sail again, and it restored some hope for the puritans to reach the New World.When the Puritans arrived to a good harbor, they were ecstatic over all the sufferings nd misery they suffered when they finally land. Being thus arrived in good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who 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 2), The puritans thanked God for bringing them alive to the New World.
ven though they had to go through storms, winds, and other misfortunes that occurred on the Mayflower. They had finally arrived to a new place where they could spread and practice their faith with little opposition from onflicting religions (unlike their lives in England). Although the Puritans had arrived to the World, they still encountered challenges from Mother Nature since they arrived during the winter, Winter is one of the worst seasons, especially for the Puritans, since it would be their first winter not in England.They had little knowledge of what to expect, since the Puritans only wanted to be in the New World to escape religious persecution. And for the season it was winter, and they know that the winters of that country know them to be sharp and violent, and subject to cruel and tierce storms, dangerous to travel to known laces, much more to search an unknown coast. Besides, what could they see bur a hideous and desolate wilderness, full of Wild beasts and wild men—and what multitudes there might be of them they knew not (Bradford. 2).
Surviving winter was hard since they were in an unknown place.They had little friends, no tood, no shelter, and no comfort They were hindered by Mother Nature from accomplishing many things like harvesting crops, fishing, and hunting. Since it was winter, there were also lesser hours to work as the dark dawns earlier, and the sun rises later. Besides Mother Nature, Human Nature also presents challenges for the Puritans the moment they arrived to the New World all by themselves. They had no friends that otthe New World, since they would be the “first generation” to ever land and settle in that particular area.Nobody was willing to provide them with basic necessities.
They had to squander outside and look for their own food, water, and shelter. “…
they had now no friends to welcome them nor inns to entertain or refresh their weatherbeaten bodies; no houses or much less towns to repair to, to seek for succor (Bradford, 2), Even though the Puritans were tired from the long journey and had no interest in hunting for food or gathering aterials to build a house, they had to overlook their weaknesses in order to survive and be strong enough to build a settlement.There were several Native American tribes that surrounded the Puritan settlements. However, the Puritans did not wish to have contact with them since they had the stereotypical view that the indigenous peoples of rhe region were savage beasts, and barbaric, The Puritans had solved their food problems temporarily through Human Nature. They accidently stumbled upon Native American land that was rich of planted corn. The Puritans first sought to find a clean and drinkable water ource, but they found double of their expectations.
Next to the river was a plot ot land filled with a variety of corn, which illuminated the eyes of the Puritans in various exotic colors. They stole much of the corn, and buried the rest to retrieve later. ‘Which. they digging up, found in them divers fair Indian baskets filled with corn, and some in ears, fair and good, of divers colors, which seemed to them a very goodly sight (having never seen any such before)” (Bradford, 3). This is only a temporary solution to their food needs because the Indians will realize that their ood has been disappearing.The Puritans still had to learn to hunt animals, gather fruits and berries, and harvest crops to ensure a plentiful and steady food source.
In spite of finding a temporary food source, the Puritans faced another Human Nature challenge of building shelter. However, the Native Americans were actually helping the Europeans even though they uuere unaware of it. While the Puritans were away hunting for food, the natives covered their houses with mats and left them with beans and corn. There was also found touo oftheir houses covered with mats.
nd sundry of their mplements in them, but the people were run away and could not be seen. Also there was found more of their corn and of their beans of various colors; the corn and bmns they brought away, purposing to giue them full satisfaction when they should meet with any of them as, about some six months afterward they did, to their good content (Bradford, 3) Because the Native Pa-nericans left behind corns and beans, they had another few days worth of food and did not have to waste time looking for food.They could spend that time building houses or familiarize themselves with the land. This served as an advantage for the Puritans, In a similar manner, the Puritans had human nature challenges with the Native Americans.
They were often intrigued by the new people on their land, and would often observe them. When the Puritans saw them, they tried to make some friendly talk. On the contrary, the Native Americans were very hard to approach since they often ran away.They were probably interested in the Europeans’ lavish lifestyle.
A Native American couldn’t possibly have imagined seeing large ships that carried hundreds of people, since they only had canoes that were meant for only a ouple met-L One time, their curiosity strayed too far, when the natives stole the Puritans’ tools, and the Puritans were challenged by building without tools. All this while the Indians came skulking about them, and would sometimes show themselves aloof Off. but when any approached near them. hey would run away; and once they stole away their tools Where they had been at work and were gone to dinner (Bradford, 4). The tools were eventually returned h a year later, but it delayed the Puritans from building. They had to devise methods of building without tools, or build with different The Native American’s reaty with the puritans allowed the puritans to solve their challenges of food and shelter.
As mentioned earlier, the Native Americans Often ran away from the Puritans, making it a Human Nature challenge when the Puritans wished to learn their ways of surviving.It wasn’t until a Native American named Samoset came to them and spoke to the Puritans in broken Englislm They befriended him and learned profitable information from hitm directed them how to set their corn, where to take fish, and to procure other commodities, and was also their pilot to bring them to unknown places for their profit. and never left them till he ied” (Bradford, S).
VVith a peace treaty, Native Americans especially Squanto, a Native American who spoke fluent English, taught the Puritans to grow and harvest crops, catch fish, and obtain profit. ut Squanto continued with them and was their interpreter and was a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation. He directed them how to set their corn, where to take fish, and to procure other commodities, and was also their pilot to bring them to unknown places for their profit, and never left them till he died (Bradford, S).
Although h of the Puritan population did not survive because of the harsh inter, Samoset and Squanto’s help was uery ualuable ro the Puritans because they could past down their knowledge to further generations.They also learned valuable information about the land from the indigenous Native Americans. This was beneficial for them to avoid’start a war and gain land. converts, etc. Quarrels and disagreements between Puritans are another example of Human Nature challenges.
In spite of this, they overcame them through patience and reconciliatiotm In these hard and difficult beginnings they found some discontents and murmurings arise amongst some, and mutinous speeches and arriages in other; but they were soon quelled and overcome by the wisdom. patience. nd just and equal carriage of things.. ÅBradford, 4). Because of quarrels and disagreements, the Puritans were delayed from working together and listening to each other.
If they took the time to listen to each others input or suggestions to the society, they couldh. ‘e worked more efficiently Unlike the start of their arrival to an unknown land with little friends and hostile Indians. the Puritans made plenty of friends and befriended some Indians. They also learned to harvest crops, and intake a certain amount of food to save the est for times of need.There was finally enough food for everyone. Although they suffered hardships in the beginning, they reaped the rewards in the end.
The Puritans overcame many challenges whether they are land-based or sea-based on solid faith in God. The importance of reading about the difficulties the Puritans overcame and how God helped them through their rough times understands how the American dream was derived from the Puritans and their experiencesx From Bradford’s literature, it emphasi7es that to achieve success; there is always a story of hardships and setbacks,