Sunday, March 1, 2009
I felt that William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation was written as an account of how noble the Puritan people were. A strong Christian bias is formed throughout Of Plymouth Plantation. The first bias I noticed occurred as Bradford tells about the trip to Cape Cod. He describes a “proud and very profane young man” (352) who frowned upon all the passengers on the boat who were sick. What is far worse is that the young man wishes those ridden with disease would die so that he could get their possessions. Bradford charges this young man with being greedy, irreverent of God, and self-important. Bradford concludes that because of these qualities God gives the young man a terminal disease. Bradford implies that if the young man were humble and realized the awesome power of God, mainly possessing the qualities of a good Christian, he would not have died in such a fashion. Bradford also comments on the nature of sailors. As one sailor has fallen ill he says, “I now see, you show your love like Christians indeed to one another, but we let one another lie and die like dogs” (356). Bradford states that the sailor realizes he does not deserve any help. I believe the text to imply that even if a man or woman does not deserve help, they should get it anyway. Bradford shows that God wants people to help one another instead of having an indifferent attitude towards those that are weak.
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I like this reading Dan, I agree that it seems as though all people should be helped. I think it's important to hold this attitude, especially when moving to a new community, especially one all the way across the ocean. It is trials and movements like these that make it imperative that people help one another. Not only is it a christian value, but it should be a human value. I think this really brings a human element to the pilgrims. The thanksgiving myth that we are taught in school does this as well. It really makes makes this group of people look human and friendly.
ReplyDeleteI agree with it bringing a human elemnet to the pilgrims. They were starting out in a new land and faced hardships we couldn't imagine. One thing i found interesting was how Bradford described word for word what happaned. You would figure when someone was keeping the history of a new colony that is supposed to be God's kingdom on earth he might embelish a little and make it seem like they were saints. But he didnt. He wrote about their hardships and their struggles. This makes them come off more human and easier to relate to. But i think Bradford did this to show the contrast between his people and the divine.
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