Rowlandson Essay

Submitted By taylor_wilson218
Words: 655
Pages: 3

Any traumatic event can draw a person closer to God. In February of 1676, Mary Rowlandson was captured by Native Americans for eleven weeks. Once freed Rowlandson began to write one of the most famous narratives in American history. Through Rowlandson’s writing she shows her Puritan views. In her work you can identify Puritan elements, the role of God, and language Rowlandson uses. These characteristics all portray Puritan ideas which are documented in history. Throughout Rowlandson’s narrative many characteristics of puritanism are seen. The first being the grace of God. This means even though God does not like the sin of his people he does not cast them straight into hell. Rowlandson says, “Yet the Lord still showed mercy on me…” (77). Aware she is a sinner, Rowlandson knew she deserved to be punished. However, because of God’s love she believes that He “show[s] mercy, and upholds [her]…” (Rowlandson 77). The second characteristic of puritanism which is shown is the innate and total depravity of God. Even though God shows grace it still comes at a price. “It is easy for me to see how righteous it [is for] God to cut off the thread of my life and cast me out of His presence forever” explains Rowlandson (77). God cannot be in the presence of sin and he has no reason to save the sinners of the world. Without a doubt all people are sinners. These are just a few of the elements that the Puritans believed. Thus adding to the case that Mary Rowlandson is in fact a Puritan. Furthermore, God’s role in Rowlandson’s captivity is clearly present to the reader. Rowlandson understands God is the almighty power in the world and without him she would surely plummet into the depths of fiery hell. Acknowledging her own sins, Rowlandson understands “that it is easy for [her] to see how righteous it was with God to cut off the thread of [her] life and cast [her] out of His presence forever” (77). The role of God is prevalent as he shows mercy each day to sinners whose hearts are far beyond worthy. Jonathan Edward’s sermon, Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God, mirrors Rowlandson’s piece because he preaches that God has full justification to cut you from his presence at any second. Often forgetting God is with everyone, “you find you are kept out of hell, but do not see the hand of God in it…” (Edwards 102). God is the invisible hand that holds the puritan world together. He could rip it all away in an instance; however, he shows mercy and holds serenity between the people. God’s role is shown to hold society