Reflection Blog: Bradford

            In William Bradford’s History of Plymouth Plantation, the writing reflects the qualities of Puritan writing and people. His writing is greatly influenced by the Christian religion, which makes the other qualities, such as the straight forward tone typical of the Puritan people, and their writing. His writing is very comparable to other Puritan author such as Mary Rowlandson and Anne Bradstreet, as we have previously read and discussed.

            The first quality of Puritan writing shown in History of Plymouth Plantation is the straightforwardness.  The Puritans wrote this why because they did not want to elaborate on anything. They did not want to do this because it would either be considered bragging or complaining, which would be against their religion. All aspects of Puritan writing can somehow be related back to their religion. “These troubles being blown over, and now all compact in one whip, they put to sea again with a prosperous wind, which continued divers days together, which was some encouragement unto them; yet, according to the usual manner, many were afflicted with sea sickness. And I may not omit here a special work of God’s providence” (Bradford). This quote shows the lack of elaboration and fluffing in Puritan writing. Being on the Mayflower smashed in with many other people could not have been comfortable or enjoyable, but Bradford did not complain. He simply explained exactly what was happening, so the reader could understand, and make assumptions on their own. If Bradbury would have described how crammed together and other not so enjoyable things about the journey, it would have been complaining, which would be against the Puritan values. This quote also related to religion, which also plays a major part.

            Religion is what all of Puritan writing focuses on. There are many aspects of religion in Bradford’s writing. "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 earth..." (Bradford 30).  This quote shows how much the Puritans looked towards their religion for guidance. They thought that God decided what each of their lived would turn out to be, and only he could change it. God changed and decided their fate. Another aspect of religion Bradford discussed was that God kept those who cared for the well being and good of others. In Of Plymouth Plantation, Bradford says that the sailors who did not help the people on the Mayflower who were getting sick could die and he would not care. He also said that the people who did care for them would be protected by God and would remain safe (Bradford 32).

            These examples were taken only from a few pages of Bradford’s story, and the reader still gets a very strong feeling of who the Puritans were and what they believed in. They were very religious people, and everything they did and believed related back to him.

Bradford, William, and Charles Deane. History of Plymouth Plantation. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1856. Print.