Benjamin Franklin

Before reading this text my understanding of Ben Fanklin was quite minimal, I knew he took part in the revolutionary war as an ambassador, and that he did something with a kite in a lightning storm, and lastly that people seemed to fancy nicknaming myself after him.

Franklin had a passion for writing, after working for many different printer's and eventually owning his own operation, the importance of writing in Franklins life is greatly exibited. In fact while Franklin was writing his letter to his son, the only thing that caused him to take a break from it was to contribute to the efforts of the revolutionary war.

Throughout the readings Benjamin Franklin seems to front a certain amount of pride. Constantly reiderating the fact that he went from poverty to wealth throughout his life, and that he was the youngest son of youngest sons for five generations. Another reason why he may have credited himself with his accomplishments is because of the fact that he was a Deist, believing that a creator basically wound him up and let im go, and on his own he accomplished so many things. Regardless of who is credited for the many accomplishments of Benjamin Franklin he lived a life worth recogniton.

1700-1820 Am Literature

Cotton Mather's death symbolically markes the passing of classic puritanism as the colonists knew it. The gradual change, now known as period of enlightenment, maked a change in the understanding of one's moral code, and the sorce thereof. Significant new ideas presented in this time were the theories and laws of Isaac Newton, explaining that there are rules to this natural world that we are living in, and new forms of religion presented by John Locke, and the religion of Deism. The idea presented by John Locke was that humans were born a "blank slate" with the idea that we are to love eachother because we share the same existance. The religion of Deism was about the idea that we were put together by a supernatural force and are set loose on this earth without governing from such force. The most significant change brought by this new era, was the movement from the classic puritan religion into a more modern understanding.

John Winthrops Modell Covenant and the Company Way

Scott Michaelsen is the author of this article explaining John Winthrop's Modell. Throughout the article Winthrop is decribed as having a lawyer / businesslike approach to his sermons. Winthrop was big on Covenant Law, meaning that law was based on agreements. Winthrop also had legalistic views on Mercy and Justice, defining mercy as the governing force behind giving, lending and forgiving. Defining Justice as governing lending agreements such as rules of collateral and repayment of debts. Winthrops views and ideals were atypical and out of step with the relgious leadership, in that he believed that the puritans had so to speak placed a contract for ratification on God's Desk.The strict idea of the covenant saturated the writings of John Winthrop ever increasing the interestingness of his ideals.

Carnival Postage

Reading over the blog posts dealing with pre 1700 authors an overwelming theme of puritan faith, and the exersice there of exists abundantly. Most specifically throughout the posts are instances of people being insipired by the faith of some of the individuals.

When Smith was trying to convice those to come with him to the new world, I assume that those who did, did not act on the good word of John Smith alone, but more of a divine calling and presence in the thought process. Alyssa's Blog goes into detail about the means by which Smith could have been convincing and his sense of being the "jack of all trades" Even though it did not seem as though John Smith was utterly dedicated to his puritan beliefs,  Nikki's Blog goes into detail on how he fluffed his writing to make those believe that he was a abiding puritan individual.

When Mary Rowlandson and Anne Bradstreet were mentioned, their faith was mentiond just as well. Crista's Blog on Anne Bradstreet includes thoughts regarding her unfailing faith in how she wrote, against the social norm. Colin's Blog explains about the strong puritan faith Mary Rowlandson exibited throughout her trials.

Throughout the Blogs, the importance of faith is exibited throughout the writings and responses of those reading. This reflection on faith, and living in response of is in direct correlation to the puritan way of life.

Anne B.

I felt the readings that went along with Anne Bradstreet were quite interesting, in that they were about the value of her writing. I believe the title "The Prologue" is both intreguing and ironic, in that her writing was the first writing published in the New World, and that she is forfronting a womens rights campaign. Throughout her writing "career" Anne encountered difficulty finding appreciation or a public view of value in her work because of the fact she was a woman. In some of her writing Bradstreet explains that her writings are of value and women writers need to be recognised. Another important factor I believe is worthy of recognition is that in "Verses apun the burning of my house" throughout the mentioned tough times in her life bradstreet clung close to God.

John Smith

I would like to start out my first blog stating that I am not a fan of reading or writing, I last remember being fond of reading in elementary school, reading Gary Paulsen, since then I have not read a book that I have not been required to read for a class other than the bible.

       After reading through and listening to the lecture on John Smith, my elementary John Smith and Pochohontus views have been drastically changed. Through reading and listening to the lectures I have learned a great deal of history behind this explorers visit to the new world. John Smith had to approach the voyage to a new world in the New World from an entrepreneurial stand point. Smith had to basically sell the idea of moving away from everything common and moving to a "New World" in search for a new life. This must have been quite a tough sell for John Smiths enterprise.