Write a 1000-word paper, with citations from at least 3 texts (including the video Desperate Crossing), in which you explore some aspect of the Puritan mind. You can focus on their response to adversity, their attitude toward education, their work ethic, their communal (rather than individual) orientation.

Along the way, include explanations of at least three of the terms from the Puritan Concepts handout.

Texts
Introduction to Puritanism
Set of reading by various Puritans (49-page PDF)
Excerpt from William Bradford’s “History of Plymouth Plantation”
Winthrop “A Model of Christian Charity”
Anne Bradstreet Poems
Mary Rowlandson’s “Narrative of the Captivity of Mary Rowlandson”
“A Model of Christian Charity” slides
“Narrative of the Captivity” slides

Background Essays
“Affliction”
“Mary Rowlandson and the Invention of the Secular”
“Captive Selves, Captivating Others”

Study Guides
Desperate Crossing Study Guide

Objectives: Know these words:

blasphemous
habeas corpus
inscrutable
magistrate
manifest
non-conformity
persecution
repression
seditious
theology
tolerant

Be able to answer these questions:

1. What was the core philosophy of the Separatists? Why were they so frustrated with the Church of England?
2. Why was King James I so opposed to the Separatists’ philosophy and practices? What was his philosophy of obedience?
3. Why do you think Bradford and his followers moved to Holland? What explanation is given for the tolerance of many religious views in Holland?
4. Why were Bradford and his followers unable to make their community work in Holland? How did they convince investors that they could be prosperous in
the New World?
5. What were three unexpected events that occurred in this documentary? How do you think the story of the Mayflower could have been different?
6. What was the Mayflower Compact and why was it important?
7. Before the arrival of the Mayflower, over 50 million Native Americans inhabited North America. What did the British think or know about these groups before
they arrived?
8. Describe the early encounters between the British and the Native Americans. How did they communicate with one another?
9. Do you think the Native Americans stood to benefit anything from cooperating with the British and vice versa? What obstacles prevented them from living peacefully?
10. At what point do you think the foundation of Plymouth was most imperiled? At what point do you think it was clear that Plymouth would survive?
11. How did this documentary change your view of the Mayflower and its journey?

Utopian Visions: Puritans and Quakers (Annenberg Video)