Francesca


 * Revision of Essay 1: July 28**

Response 1- Select two of the following figures and discuss the dreams and/or nightmares that they project upon the American landscape and the people who inhabit it. Be sure to indicate how these projections differ--Columbus, Bradford, Morton.

Christopher Columbus and William Bradford are two of the first men to provide information about the land we know as America through writing. This fact, however, is seemingly where similarities between the two men end. What the wrote, why they wrote it, and even their intended audiences, are completely different. Through these facts one is able to certainly distinguish the more genuine of the two. Christopher Columbus approaches his writings with the purpose of acquiring funds for his voyage, while William Bradford only writes to inform, having no motives for his writings

Christopher Columbus' voyage to America was the dream of a lifetime. Although in truth nothing went according to plan, he was still at sea with the funding of a very powerful county, and he was willing to do whatever he had to to keep it. In a letter written to the King and Queen of Spain he uses vivid, colorful language to describe this land. He embellishes its resources and potential, and most importantly, greatly exaggerates the positive attributes of the people. Columbus knows his selling point will be the inhabitants of the land, whose existence is probably the one thing he cannot lie about. Once stating they do exist, he explains that these people feel he is a superior being, and that they will be easily influenced by Spain. Conversion to their religion, which is the core of power at the time, will be simple, as these people already worship Columbus.

Bradford, on the other hand, tells a much different tale. For one, his tale is told as someone who is living on the land, and knows first hand how the natives are taking to new people. He describes the long relationship with the Native Americans, and how it has had its ups and downs. While Bradford sees them as savages to some extent, although he acknowledges their good ways; he describes times of peace, natives who spoke English, and the struggles to maintain peace. Bradford's work was not intended to impress anyone, but rather to provide the most accurate account of what was going on at the time. He mentions why the Pilgrims came to America, what they risked by doing so, and how some were lost along the way. While Columbus attempts to make the land seem like paradise Bradford is much more truthful. He describes how his people ended up in the wrong area and started with nothing. Most importantly, Bradford does not try to hide the amount of deaths his people suffered along the way, something Columbus does not touch upon at all.

In conclusion, William Bradford's account was written for the very purpose it is noted for today: to provide an accurate historical account of the New World from the eyes of the first Pilgrims. The story truly defines what America is about, and the struggle is something to appreciate. Bradford's work has garnered the attention it has through its truth, while the work of Christopher Columbus is almost entirely inaccurate. Columbus hopes the readers see the land as a paradise, not as it really is. It is with this information that one who has read both understands that Bradford and his work better depict the plights of America's beginning.

Response 3- How does Franklin's or Crevecoeur's vision of America (and the role that religion should play in it) differ from that of the Puritans and the Neo-Puritans?

America was and still is a land of endless possibilities. This is a country where one can build an empire from dirt. Many Puritans would attribute this good fortune to religion and their strong faith. Not all settlers were of this opinion though, men like Benjamin Franklin attributed success to hard work and knowledge. People like Franklin, men and women of the Enlightenment Era greatly differ in where they believe gratitude is owed.

Puritans had many struggles to overcome, especially when first landing in America. Between war with the natives, scarce supplies, and inclement weather; many did not even survive. All these people had were the basic skills which they brought over from Europe. Their very survival hanging in the balance, they depended heavily on faith to keep them strong. When good things happened they praised their god and when things did not go well they were sure that god had a lesson behind it.

On the other hand were men like Franklin. Benjamin Franklin was not a very religious man, he put most of his faith in education and the acquisition of knowledge. Franklin felt the best way to survive was to know as much as possible. Being a prominent figure of the Enlightment Era, Franklin was as passionate about spreading the message of formal education as the Puritans were in spreading the message of religious education. While Puritans looked to religious texts, Franklin looked to books of science and mathematics.

While the views of both the Puritans and supporters of Enlightenment had opposing beliefs, each had strong faith. They tried to spread their knowledge to others and gain a following. The difference between the two is the Puritans were spreading a faith of a strict code, not open to change, while Franklin was telling of a movement where new things could be learned day by day and change was inevitable.

First Revision of Response Essay 2: July 26 Response 2- In what significant ways does Bradstreet's poetry and/or piety resemble and differ from that of one or more of the following male writers: Wigglesworth, Taylor, Edwards.

The people of early-America were, by most standards, very religious. It goes without saying that their writings would incorporate religion as well; Anne Bradstreet and Jonathan Edwards are no exception. While each expressed faith within their writings, they do so in different ways. Bradstreet's poem, “The Flesh and The Spirit”, and Edwards' “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” are two examples of varying views on religion. This paper will examine the selected works of both Bradstreet and Edwards and the way in which each work relates to their individual religious beliefs.

In Bradstreet's “The Flesh and the Spirit” both devout faith and the desire of material possessions are expressed. She personifies each, making them sisters, and creates a sort of argument between the two. Flesh saying to essentially 'live in the now' and give in to the tangible things the world has to offer, while Spirit is content with knowing justice will be served to her in the afterlife for the way she lives. This poem vividly depicts the inner conflict that Bradstreet encountered in her life time.

When reading other works of Anne Bradstreet one comes to find that her life has had its misfortunes, and through these misfortunes she has found herself doubting her faith. What one learns from Bradstreet is that although she has had her doubts, all the things that have happened have made her faith stronger. She has taken what her god has given her and used it to make her and her family stronger. While this would not be acceptable to someone like Jonathan Edwards, it is more realistic and gives her common ground with more people. It is not wrong to question faith, however Edwards would certainly disagree.

Jonathan Edwards is not at all conflicted in his sermon “Sinner's in the Hands of an Angry God”. Edwards actually preaches against the very emotions Bradstreet is trying to convey: uncertainty and confusion. Edwards is very much set in his ways, and this is not unlike many Americans of the time period. They felt as though faith brought them to America, it kept them alive, and they were thankful; and most importantly, unimposing to their beliefs.

Within Edwards’s sermon people can find many reasons for which they would go to hell, and he expresses frustration with those who do not put the Lord above all. He is very descriptive and clear as to the punishments for those who do not obey correctly. Jonathan Edwards is a man without conflict, and certainly without any doubt, and has no tolerance for others that are such.

Each person has his or her own tie to religion, his or her own values, and his or her own system of beliefs. Anne Bradstreet is more open, her beliefs are more human; everyone doubts an area of their life at one point. Jonathan Edwards has a narrow view, and has not broadened his perspective for anyone. Religion was the reason the first settlers made it to America, its ties in our early history are very strong, and each of these writers expresses his or her beliefs strongly. The only common threads between the two are the beliefs that faith does prevail and even through the hard times we are being watched over.

Response 2- In what significant ways does Bradstreet's poetry and/or piety resemble and differ from that of one or more of the following male writers: Wigglesworth, Taylor, Edwards.

The people of early-America were, by most standards, very religous. It goes without saying that their writings would incorporate religon as well, and Anne Bradstreet and Jonathan Edwards are no exception. While each expressed faith within their writings, they were not done in a similar way. Bradstreet's poem, The Flesh and The Spirit, and Edwards' Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God are examples which will be examined to show a stark contrast between varying ideologies in early America.

In Bradstreet's The Flesh and the Spirit both, devout faith and the want of solely the material, are expressed. She personifies each, making them sisters, and creates a sort of arguement between the two. Flesh saying to essentially 'live in the now' and give in to the tangible things the world has to offer, while Spirit is content with knowing justice will be served to her in the afterlife for the way she lives. This poem greatly depicts the inner conflict that Bradstreet encountered in her life time.

When reading other works of Anne Bradstreet one comes to find that her life has had its misfortunes, and she goes on to describe how these situations made her think of life, including religon, in a different perspective; considering many other options. What one learns from Bradstreet is that although she has had her doubts, all the things that have happened have made her faith stronger. She has taken what her god has given her and used it to make her and her family stronger. While this would not be acceptable to someone like Jonathan Edwards, it is more realistic and gives her common ground with more people. It is not wrong to question, however Edwards would have one think otherwise.

Jonathan Edwards is not at all conflicted in his sermon Sinner's in the Hands of an Angry God. Edwards actually preaches against the very emotions Bradstreet is trying to convey: uncertainty and confusion. Edwards is very much set in his ways, and this is not unlike many Americans of the time period. They felt as though faith brought them to America, it kept them alive, and they were thankful; and most importantly, unopposing to their beliefs.

Within Edwards sermon one can find many reasons for which they would go to hell, and he expresses frustration with those who do not put the Lord above all. He is very descriptive and clear as to the punishments for those who do not obey correctly. Jonathan Edwards is a man without conflict, and certainly without any doubt, and has no tolerance for others that are such.

Each person has their own tie to religon, their own values, and their own system of beliefs. Anne Bradstreet was more open, her beliefs were more human; everyone doubts an area of their life at one point. Jonathan Edwards had a narrow view, and did not broaden his perspective for anyone. Religon was the reason the first settlers made it to America, its ties in our early history are very strong, and each of these writers expresses their beliefs strongly. The only common thread between the two is the belief that faith does prevail, and even through the hard times we are being watched over.

Response 1- Select two of the following figures and discuss the dreams and/or nightmares that they project upon the American landscape and the people who inhabit it. Be sure to indicate how these projections differ--Columbus, Bradford, Morton.

Christopher Columbus and William Bradford are two of the first men to provide information about the land we know as America through writing. This fact, however, is seemingly where similarities between the two men end. What the wrote, why they wrote it, and even their intended audiences, are completely different. Through these facts one is able to certainly distinguish the more genuine of the two.

Christopher Columbus' voyage to America was the dream of a lifetime. Although in truth nothing went according to plan, he was still at sea with the funding of a very powerful county, and he was willing to do whatever he had to to keep it. In letters written back to Spain, the country of his funding, he uses vivid colorful language to describe this land. He embelleshes its resources and potential, and most importantly, greatly exaggerates in terms of the people. Columbus knows his selling point will be the inhabitants of the land, whose existence is probably the one thing he cannot lie about. Once stating they do exist, he explains they these people feel he is a superior being, and that they will be easily influenced by Spain. Conversion to their religon, which is the core of power at the time, will be simple, as these people already worship Columbus.

Bradstreet, on the other hand, tells a much different tale. For one, his tale is told as someone who is living on the land, and knows first hand how the natives are taking to new people. He describes the years long relationship with the Native Americans, and how it has had its ups and downs. While Bradstreet sees them at savages to some extent, he acknowledges their good ways; he describes times of peace, natives who spoke English, and their struggles to repair peace between one another. Bradstreet's work was not intended to impress anyone, but rather to provide the most accurate account of what was going on at the time. He mentions why the Europeans came to America, everything they risked by doing so, and how some were lost along the way. While Columbus attempts to make the land seem like paradise Bradstreet is much more truthful. He describes how they ended up in the wrong area and started with nothing. Most importantly, Bradstreet does not try to hide the amount of deaths his people suffered along the way, something Columbus does not touch upon at all.

In conclusion, William Bradstreet's account was written for the very purpose it is being used today: to get an accurate historical account of the world in the eyes of the first pilgrams. The story truly defines what America is about, and the struggle is something to appreaciate. Bradstreet's work has garnered the attention it has through its truth, while the work of Christopher Columbus is almost entirely inaccurate. Columbus hopes the reader sees the land as he wants them to, not as it really is. It is with this information that one who has read both understands that Bradstreet and his work better encompass what America truly is.