Puritanism in American Literature - Essay Example

It can be noted that Puritan literature focused on achieving its duties to become a "city in a hill" by living a life of moral excellence for the entire world to see. Their works are devoid of self-righteousness and glorification but praise and glory are always given to God. Amidst the persevering life of a saint, the works also talk of God's providence and grace. In A Model of Christian Charity, Winthrop asks why some people are rich while others are poor. What reasons does he provide for this inequality and what do his responses reveal about Puritan ideology In A Model of Christian Charity, Winthrop states three reasons why people are not equals, some are rich while other are poor: "to hold conformity with the rest of His works," that He might have the more occasion to manifest the work of His spirit," and "that every man might have need of each other" (Reuben).

It should be noted that his reasoning largely mirrors the basic teachings and doctrine of Puritanism. First, it shows the Puritan's belief of predestination, that is, some are predestined to be rich while others are predestined to be poor. Second, that God is a superior and whose creation is perfect. Being poor is not seen as God's failure, but God's way of perfecting the world. Thus, poverty is not a problem of mankind but that it exists in order to manifest justice, respect, and mercy. In his response, Winthrop communicates the Puritan's deep reverence and faith in God.

To what extent is Bradstreet's "To My Dear and Loving Husband" an expression of individual feeling, and where does it echo the Puritan ideology of marriage, including married love as the "duty" of every god-fearing coupleAnne Bradstreet's poem for his husband entitled "To My Dear and Loving Husband" seems to overflow with the love she has for her husband. This is amidst the absence of her husband who was always busy with his task as a colony administrator. The first seven lines of the poem state her passionate love for her husband.

Her individual feeling is highlighted as she says "I prize thy love more than the whole Mines of gold or all the riches of that the East doth hold. My love is such that river cannot quench, Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense." These lines show her passion and devotion to her husband, claiming that her love is not something that she gives out of duty or responsibility. Her love for her husband is her treasure that is unmatched by material wealth and it is only her husband's love which can make her whole.

However, the eight to twelfth lines somehow echo married love as a duty. "The heavens reward thee manifold I pray" indicates that loving your wife or husband is a duty which, when well performed, is rewarded by God.