"March 4, 1677 - Through all my life I have never seen such an array of fashions and splendor as I have seen here in Boston. Silken hoods, scarlet petticoats, with silver lace, white silk plaited gowns, bone lace and silken scarves." This quote shows how as the Puritans, specifically of the later generations, immerse themselves into the non-Puritan world, they begin to see things that they do not have but want. They start to pull away from their society and become less extreme in religion and more focused on material goods and living well. Within generations, the austerity of Puritan religion will be reduced to near nothing due to the assimilation of Puritans into the outside world.
"December 25, 1675 - My Cousin Jane, visiting today, has told me much of the merry ways of England on this day, of the yule log, and plum puddings, until I said that I would be glad to see those merry doings; but she told me it was far better to be in a state of grace and not given over to popish practices. But I thought she looked sad herself, and almost unhappy as she reminded me of the coming of John Baily who is to preach tomorrow all day. If those things are so bad, why did she tell me of them?"
This passage shows how Hetty Shepard and her cousin at least somwhat wish to break puritan custom and celebrate Catholic holidays, as they wish to be happier. Her cousin shows sadness towards the puritan virtues, which represents the slow shift from puritan orthodoxy towards the ideal that life should be better, more joyous.
On October 6, 1676 Hetty Shepard writes about Philip's son, Philip was the leader of the indians in King Philip's War, and his mother were taken captive by the Europeans. She notes how the ministers dislike him and want him sold into slavery. Shepard thinks "How can so tender a child be accountable? But perhaps it is sin to feel this." In this passage Shepard shows how Puritans are starting to think for themselves. She knows that the ministers believe selling this boy, who is only 9, into slavery is the right thing to do. Yet, she goes against the church by questioning if this is the proper moral decision. It is true that in the line below she checks herself a little thinking it might be sin to think this. The important fact is that she thinks it to begin with. Yes, it is just a thought, but a dangerous one that overtime could develop into something more.
Like Emily, I believe that the diary entry from March 4, 1677, "Through all my life I have never seen such and array of fashion and splendor as I have seen here in Boston. Silken hoods, scarlet petticoats, with silver lace, white silk plaited gowns, bone lace and silken scarves. The men with periwigs, ruffles and ribbons..." suggests that Puritan Orthodoxy was declining in Massachusetts as of the late 1600s. This quote shows the beginning of a cosmopolitan society, where different religions and different groups of people brought fancy items and new ideas to Massachusetts. These items and ideas interested the young generation of Puritans because they looked beyond the "village" they were in and realized that there were plenty of opportunities outside of their seculuded society.
In addition to what I previously wrote, this quote shows the evolution of ideals among the Puritans, where they once were focused only on religion, they now began to focus on commercial things.
On June 19, 1676, Shepard wrote about trying to unite Stephen with God's people, but "he always says that the great Miles Standish was not a member and cared not to go to a meeting on the Lord's Day, and yet he subdued our enemies, laid out our roads, and everybody had respect for him." This is a great example of anti-authoritarianism that began to appear as Puritanism declined. People began to question members of the church and their education, and in this case, Stephen describes a man who followed his own agenda and cared not to be tied down by his religion, and still earned respect from people. This shows that people began to feel unhappy with the Puritan values and that it was possible to gain respect without being a devoted Puritan. Many began to feel tired of feeling guilty, and without the stress and fear of being persecuted, people were no longer as grateful for their religion.
The visit from Hetty's cousin Jane on December 25, 1675 shows the waning of Puritanism in Massachusetts. Like most young people, Hetty was excited by the idea of celebration on Christmas and was jealous of all the festive things her cousin told her happen in England, saying, "I would be glad to see those merry doings." In Puritan society, Christmas was a day of intense prayer. Celebration was thought of as wasteful and therefore sinful, so it was not part of the Christmas tradition. The younger generation, including Hetty, had a hard time understanding why festivity is not allowed, indicating that the sense of orthodoxy that established such firm rules was not as strong in the youth. Over time, the initial religious zeal would be diluted.
On June 19, 1676, Hetty wrote that her future husband, Samuel Checkly, had become a freeman, but that her brother Stephen did not wish to "unite with God's people." Stephen's argument was that there were great men, such as Miles Standish, who were not church members but were still successful and respected. This argument shows that the youth are beginning to see church membership as a less-than-vital if not unnecessary part of life. The fact that Stephen makes this argument even after the Halfway Covenant only underlines the fact that young people in New England were becoming progressively less interested in the Puritan lifestyle.
On March 20, 1676 Samuel Cheekly whispered to Hetty Shepered that he'd, "rather serve me than the elders", and Hetty views this as a, "wicked thing to say". This is a bold comment to even think, let alne say to another. Even thinking about going against the Church members for the sake of an infactuation would be absurd and impious in early puritain beliefs. However, the new anti-authoritarian belief developed by younger generation is what paves the way in the decline of the Church's strangle hold on society, and in turn, the decline of puritanism.
In Hetty's entry on June 19, 1676, there is a concrete example of the decline in the Puritan orthodoxy. Samuel is refusing to conform to Puritan orthodoxy. In the beginning of Puritan orthodoxy in the New World, the citizens would be given a choice. The choice was that if they did not want to conform to Puritan orthodoxy they would be cast out. But in 1676, a non-Puritan, Miles Standish, was accepted and even respected in a predominately Puritan society.
"October 6, 1676: There is much talk about Philip's son, a boy of nine years old, who has taken prisoner with his mother. They do not know what to do with him. The ministers are bitter against him and would have him sold into slavery or even worse. How can so tender a child be accountable? But perhaps it is a sin to feel this." She is questioning the belief of communal sin.
I think the quote Katie mentioned is a very good example that shows that Puritainism was diminishing in the late 1600s. The quote came from Hetty Shepards diary, on June 19, 1676. She says, "...when I beg Stephen to unite with God's people, he always says that the great Miles Standish was not a member and cared not to go to meeting on the Lord's Day, and yet he subdued our enemies, laid out our roads, and everybody had respect for him." This passage shows the decline of Puritanism in Hetty’s community because her own brother, Stephen, is not baptized and is not a member of “God’s People”. Not only that, but it also says that people who are not with God can be respected and successful. While Hetty may not agree with these ideas, it shows that many people are moving into a different mindset, away from Puritanism.
I think a clear example is the young girl's confusion on how even though Stephen isn't a part of the Puritan Orthodoxy that he still has made many notable accomplishments.
"JUNE 19, 1676: I beg Stephen to unite with God's people, he always says that the great Miles Standish was not a member and cared not to go to meeting on the Lord's Day, and yet he subdued our enemies, laid out our roads, and everybody had respect for him. It is surely hard to understand these things."
In this quotation I think the girl is starting to wonder how true Puritanism really is, for example, when she says “It’s hard to understand these things”. I think that as time progress she will continue to observe things such as this and slowly detach herself from Puritanism and take part in its decline.
The diary entry on March 4, 1677 is a clear indicator that Purtianism is declining. "Through all my life I have never seen such an array of fashion and splendor as I have seen here in Boston. Silken hoods, scarlet petticoats, with silver lace, white silk plaited gowns, bone lace and silken scarves. The men with periwigs, ruffles and ribbons..." This demonstrates that the Puritans were beginning to want material items. The time spent on these new products was, in Puritan eyes, time that could be spent devoted to religion. As different religions and people come, the Puritans begin to assimilate and Puritan orthodoxy ceases to exist.
December 25th, 1675, Shepard describes her cousin Jane's account of England. In her description, Jane speaks of its "merry" ways that include: day of the yule log and plum pudding. Although her cousin discourages her from indulding in England's worldly practices, Shepard reveals that she would "Gladly see the merry doings of England" despite her strict Puritan background that forbids mundane indulgences. Ultimatey, Shepard is drawn to the materialism, alluding to a cultural transition in the future.
"March 4, 1677 - Through all my life I have never seen such an array of fashions and splendor as I have seen here in Boston. Silken hoods, scarlet petticoats, with silver lace, white silk plaited gowns, bone lace and silken scarves."
ReplyDeleteThis quote shows how as the Puritans, specifically of the later generations, immerse themselves into the non-Puritan world, they begin to see things that they do not have but want. They start to pull away from their society and become less extreme in religion and more focused on material goods and living well. Within generations, the austerity of Puritan religion will be reduced to near nothing due to the assimilation of Puritans into the outside world.
"December 25, 1675 - My Cousin Jane, visiting today, has told me much of the merry ways of England on this day, of the yule log, and plum puddings, until I said that I would be glad to see those merry doings; but she told me it was far better to be in a state of grace and not given over to popish practices. But I thought she looked sad herself, and almost unhappy as she reminded me of the coming of John Baily who is to preach tomorrow all day. If those things are so bad, why did she tell me of them?"
ReplyDeleteThis passage shows how Hetty Shepard and her cousin at least somwhat wish to break puritan custom and celebrate Catholic holidays, as they wish to be happier. Her cousin shows sadness towards the puritan virtues, which represents the slow shift from puritan orthodoxy towards the ideal that life should be better, more joyous.
On October 6, 1676 Hetty Shepard writes about Philip's son, Philip was the leader of the indians in King Philip's War, and his mother were taken captive by the Europeans. She notes how the ministers dislike him and want him sold into slavery. Shepard thinks "How can so tender a child be accountable? But perhaps it is sin to feel this." In this passage Shepard shows how Puritans are starting to think for themselves. She knows that the ministers believe selling this boy, who is only 9, into slavery is the right thing to do. Yet, she goes against the church by questioning if this is the proper moral decision. It is true that in the line below she checks herself a little thinking it might be sin to think this. The important fact is that she thinks it to begin with. Yes, it is just a thought, but a dangerous one that overtime could develop into something more.
ReplyDeleteLike Emily, I believe that the diary entry from March 4, 1677, "Through all my life I have never seen such and array of fashion and splendor as I have seen here in Boston. Silken hoods, scarlet petticoats, with silver lace, white silk plaited gowns, bone lace and silken scarves. The men with periwigs, ruffles and ribbons..." suggests that Puritan Orthodoxy was declining in Massachusetts as of the late 1600s. This quote shows the beginning of a cosmopolitan society, where different religions and different groups of people brought fancy items and new ideas to Massachusetts. These items and ideas interested the young generation of Puritans because they looked beyond the "village" they were in and realized that there were plenty of opportunities outside of their seculuded society.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to what I previously wrote, this quote shows the evolution of ideals among the Puritans, where they once were focused only on religion, they now began to focus on commercial things.
ReplyDeleteOn June 19, 1676, Shepard wrote about trying to unite Stephen with God's people, but "he always says that the great Miles Standish was not a member and cared not to go to a meeting on the Lord's Day, and yet he subdued our enemies, laid out our roads, and everybody had respect for him."
ReplyDeleteThis is a great example of anti-authoritarianism that began to appear as Puritanism declined. People began to question members of the church and their education, and in this case, Stephen describes a man who followed his own agenda and cared not to be tied down by his religion, and still earned respect from people. This shows that people began to feel unhappy with the Puritan values and that it was possible to gain respect without being a devoted Puritan. Many began to feel tired of feeling guilty, and without the stress and fear of being persecuted, people were no longer as grateful for their religion.
The visit from Hetty's cousin Jane on December 25, 1675 shows the waning of Puritanism in Massachusetts. Like most young people, Hetty was excited by the idea of celebration on Christmas and was jealous of all the festive things her cousin told her happen in England, saying, "I would be glad to see those merry doings." In Puritan society, Christmas was a day of intense prayer. Celebration was thought of as wasteful and therefore sinful, so it was not part of the Christmas tradition. The younger generation, including Hetty, had a hard time understanding why festivity is not allowed, indicating that the sense of orthodoxy that established such firm rules was not as strong in the youth. Over time, the initial religious zeal would be diluted.
ReplyDeleteOn June 19, 1676, Hetty wrote that her future husband, Samuel Checkly, had become a freeman, but that her brother Stephen did not wish to "unite with God's people." Stephen's argument was that there were great men, such as Miles Standish, who were not church members but were still successful and respected. This argument shows that the youth are beginning to see church membership as a less-than-vital if not unnecessary part of life. The fact that Stephen makes this argument even after the Halfway Covenant only underlines the fact that young people in New England were becoming progressively less interested in the Puritan lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteOn March 20, 1676 Samuel Cheekly whispered to Hetty Shepered that he'd, "rather serve me than the elders", and Hetty views this as a, "wicked thing to say". This is a bold comment to even think, let alne say to another. Even thinking about going against the Church members for the sake of an infactuation would be absurd and impious in early puritain beliefs. However, the new anti-authoritarian belief developed by younger generation is what paves the way in the decline of the Church's strangle hold on society, and in turn, the decline of puritanism.
ReplyDeleteIn Hetty's entry on June 19, 1676, there is a concrete example of the decline in the Puritan orthodoxy. Samuel is refusing to conform to Puritan orthodoxy. In the beginning of Puritan orthodoxy in the New World, the citizens would be given a choice. The choice was that if they did not want to conform to Puritan orthodoxy they would be cast out. But in 1676, a non-Puritan, Miles Standish, was accepted and even respected in a predominately Puritan society.
ReplyDelete"October 6, 1676: There is much talk about Philip's son, a boy of nine years old, who has taken prisoner with his mother. They do not know what to do with him. The ministers are bitter against him and would have him sold into slavery or even worse. How can so tender a child be accountable? But perhaps it is a sin to feel this." She is questioning the belief of communal sin.
ReplyDeleteI think the quote Katie mentioned is a very good example that shows that Puritainism was diminishing in the late 1600s. The quote came from Hetty Shepards diary, on June 19, 1676. She says, "...when I beg Stephen to unite with God's people, he always says that the great Miles Standish was not a member and cared not to go to meeting on the Lord's Day, and yet he subdued our enemies, laid out our roads, and everybody had respect for him." This passage shows the decline of Puritanism in Hetty’s community because her own brother, Stephen, is not baptized and is not a member of “God’s People”. Not only that, but it also says that people who are not with God can be respected and successful. While Hetty may not agree with these ideas, it shows that many people are moving into a different mindset, away from Puritanism.
ReplyDeleteI think a clear example is the young girl's confusion on how even though Stephen isn't a part of the Puritan Orthodoxy that he still has made many notable accomplishments.
ReplyDelete"JUNE 19, 1676: I beg Stephen to unite with God's people, he always says that the great Miles Standish was not a member and cared not to go to meeting on the Lord's Day, and yet he subdued our enemies, laid out our roads, and everybody had respect for him. It is surely hard to understand these things."
In this quotation I think the girl is starting to wonder how true Puritanism really is, for example, when she says “It’s hard to understand these things”. I think that as time progress she will continue to observe things such as this and slowly detach herself from Puritanism and take part in its decline.
The diary entry on March 4, 1677 is a clear indicator that Purtianism is declining. "Through all my life I have never seen such an array of fashion and splendor as I have seen here in Boston. Silken hoods, scarlet petticoats, with silver lace, white silk plaited gowns, bone lace and silken scarves. The men with periwigs, ruffles and ribbons..." This demonstrates that the Puritans were beginning to want material items. The time spent on these new products was, in Puritan eyes, time that could be spent devoted to religion. As different religions and people come, the Puritans begin to assimilate and Puritan orthodoxy ceases to exist.
ReplyDeleteDecember 25th, 1675, Shepard describes her cousin Jane's account of England. In her description, Jane speaks of its "merry" ways that include: day of the yule log and plum pudding. Although her cousin discourages her from indulding in England's worldly practices, Shepard reveals that she would "Gladly see the merry doings of England" despite her strict Puritan background that forbids mundane indulgences. Ultimatey, Shepard is drawn to the materialism, alluding to a cultural transition in the future.
ReplyDelete