Plymouth Plantation

http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/english/coke/bradford.htm

In Plymouth Plantation, the author uses imagry, repetition, and personification to construct a tone of appreciation towards God because, as puritan writing, it is centered around the cause of life, which always leads back to God. I chose the below selection from plymouth plantation because it shows the puritan style in which William Bradford writes:

From of Plymouth Plantation:
"And those that first entered found sharp resistance from the enemy who both shot at and grappled with them; others ran into their houses and brought out fire and set them on fire, which soon took in their mat; and standing close together, with the wind all was quickly on a flame, and thereby more were burnt to death than was otherwise slain; it burnt their bowstrings and made them unserviceable; those that scraped the fire were slain with the sword, some hewed to pieces, others run through with their rapiers, so as they were quickly dispatched and very few escaped. It was conceived they thus destroyed about 400 at this time. It was a fearful sight to see them thus frying in the fire and the streams of blood quenching the same, and horrible was the stink and scent thereof; but the victory seemed a sweet sacrifice, and they gave the praise thereof to God, who had wrought so wonderfully for them, thus to enclose their enemies in their hands and give them so speedy a victory over so proud and insulting an enemy."

This passage was very scary to read because it shows how manifest destiny had infected the puritans to the point where they would burn, and slice people because they thought God would want it. The 'enemy' who only threatened the pilgrims because they were threatening the indians are made to be devils against God because they defended thier land. The puritans abandoned thier morals and beliefs because they were easily manipulated to feel that murdering is okay if you believe God wants it.

~Jasmine Marie~