Puritan Discipline - 810 Words

Puritan Discipline The Puritans, arguably the most well-known group of early English colonists settled in the Massachusetts Bay colony in the 1600’s, and are considered catalysts to modern American culture. The Puritans are famous for their theological insights, advances in the sciences, and for the establishment of the first public schools in America. The Puritans however are infamous for their potentially brutal punishment, and harsh discipline. To the devout Puritan punishment was love, this was evident in the ways they raised children, punished criminals, and how they lived. These policies played a major role in shaping American society for many years and in part made America what it is today. Childhood in Puritan society was†¦show more content†¦However the Puritans are known to have severely punished people for specific crimes, †William Carlisle was convicted of passing counterfeit dollars and sentenced to stand one hour on the Pillory†¦ to have both ears cropped, and to be branded on both cheeks with†¦R†¦(Rouge† The Essex Gazette, Newport April 23, 1771. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Scarlet Letter† an adulteress was doomed to wear an ‘A’ for Adulterer, and made routine visits to the pillory to be pelted with leftovers and insults by the local population. Sadly seventeen or more people found themselves on death row, convicted of witchcraft in the early Massachusetts society in the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Consequently the Puritans are now known for their severity and less of their admirable attempt to have a pure society. Order, this was one of the most valued aspects of Puritan society, after all the word Puritan can be defined as ‘one who is pure’. â€Å"Puritans needed to live a closely examined life.† Peace of the Elect, Illinois College. All actions and words were known to someone, being in such small communities the words of others were the way to the pillory or to the church, this is why Puritans are renowned for being a solemn people of littleShow MoreRelatedPuritans and the Scarlet Letter739 Words   |  3 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne was not a Puritan, but he had deep bonds back to this religion, and had ancestors that were in charge of the Salem Witch Trials, a fact that Hawthorne always felt remorse for. In choosing this time period as the setting for The Scarlet Letter, a classic story of love, betrayal and religion, he showcased both the weakness and strengths of this time period and religion. Like the Pilgrims, the Puritans were from England, and were dissatisfied with the church reform of England. SoRead MoreColonial America: Founding the Dream Essay example1742 Words   |  7 Pagescultures. Like the Pilgrims, the Puritans fled Europe for religious freedom in the New world, but their dream was. The Puritans were considered non-separatists; they did not wish to leave the Church of England but rather reform and reshape its borders and beliefs. Arriving in Massachusetts Bay in 1630 with six hundred followers and John Winthrop as their leader the Puritans desired to create a new society similar to the Dream that the Pilgrims had. The Puritans journey represents an Exodus fromRead MoreThe Truth Behind Puritanism : Puritanism1975 Words   |  8 Pagesprobably think of purity and cleanliness. However, the Puritan’s have a very interesting way of achieving purity. The Puritans believe that God has predestined the salvation of certain souls and one can do nothing to change this. They also believe there is zero credit for good works and that people by nature are wholly sinful and can only achieve goodness by severe discipline, but living a godly life is the result of being chosen as one of God’s â€Å"elect.† The â€Å"elect† are said to be saved from hellRead MorePuritanism And Its Impact On Society1508 Words   |  7 Pagesthe American society in a way everyone can see it nowadays takes roots in the times of British colonization. Puritans Migration The teaching of Puritanism arose in the British Isles around 1560, â€Å"when dissident members of the Church of England, still the mother church of the Anglican Communion today, attempted to â€Å"purify† it by removing all trace of its Roman Catholic past.†1 The Puritans were sure that the Church of England did not work enough on its reforms according to the fact that a lot ofRead MoreRoles Of The Puritan Society1137 Words   |  5 PagesRoles of the Puritan Society Puritans were English Protestants who were committed to â€Å"purifying† the Church of England. After being religiously persecuted in England, the Puritans fled to North America to start their new beginning. The Puritans maintained their Protestant beliefs with a patriarchal family. Their family roles differed from other colonists that settled in America. In my paper, I will describe the different roles that were established in the Puritan society. The Puritans society wasRead MoreThe Religious Convictions Of The Puritans1170 Words   |  5 PagesThe Puritans were a group of people from England who settled the New World (1) called America after the year of 1630. They went to America to be free to practice their religion without being persecuted because their beliefs were opposing the catholic’ one. The difference was that the Puritans tried harder to enforce the Ten Commandments but Americans were influenced by the moral, ethical, and religious convictions of the Puritans. The Puritans’ life was very hard in England so that they focused theRead MorePuritans Influence On Today s Society1599 Words   |  7 PagesToday, people describe the Puritans with their biased point of view. It is not unfathomable why people do not like the Puritans. The Puritans’ society and today’s society are very different. Puritan society was very restrained; people could only believe in God and the Bible was the law. Unlike Puritan society, today’s society does not restrain religion. Even though Puritans had bad influences on today’s society, Puritans played a pivotal role in constructing the USA. If you look around more carefullyRead MoreWorlds Colliding : Hypocrisy, Rules And Punishments1446 Words   |  6 PagesTwo Worlds Colliding: Hypocrisy, Rules and Punishments In two not so different societies, the Puritan people and the people of The Church of Fire and Brimstone learn to live a life under the fear of God. Both societies share the similarity of living a life of holiness on land so that they may be taken into the Kingdom of God. In order to do so, these people put themselves through strict rules and harsh punishment that are near inhumane. Each of these people live out their lives in fear of being leftRead MoreTheme Of Patriarchy In The Crucible1601 Words   |  7 Pagesso often throughout this play seem to be connected to the downfall of this small Puritanical town. Today I will bring to light the biased views and sexual repression that led this small town to its untimely demise. This paper will delve into the puritans daily way of life and beliefs and expose that sexual repression and patriarchy were the real killers in this play based on real events. To achieve this goal I have organized this paper into 3 main sections, which will each explain the sexual biasRead MoreComparing The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthrone and The Crucible by Arthur Miller1021 Words   |  5 Pages The Puritans had a heavily important part in the formation of early America, as well as a religion that influenced our early American society. This society has been the target which many authors have picked to set their novels in. The topic of Puritan life contains a broad list of aspects that can be easily compared to one another in several different books. Two selections that go into detail about some of the different aspects of the Puritan people are The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, and The Scarlet