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The first central theme focuses on spirituality, mythology, tradition, and duty to a higher power. The theme closely resembles John Winthrop’s life and works of writing. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Winthrop immersed himself in spirituality at a young age and grew to be a passionate religious figure in history. Beginning in his early teenage years, he delved into scriptural study and prayers.
Convinced that God had elected him into sainthood to be a physical representation for all of his encounters, Winthrop devoted himself to be ripened a Puritan.
His experience influenced him to be a well-known social activist, as he later became an American colonial governor. Winthrop's A Model of Christian Charity focuses heavily on Puritanical beliefs and spirituality. Upon sailing to the new land, the Puritans were worried about the dangers that they would encounter. As they were in the dark about how they were going to survive, Winthrop encouraged them to allow God to be their light. He urged them to treat each other with respect and equality regardless of different ranks they were socially defined as.
The second central theme revolves around scientific reasoning, open-mindedness, and inquiry.
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It expounds into changing ways of thinking about the self and consciousness in relation to new ideas about individual identity and psychology, perception, the purposes of art, and theories about culture. The theme relates to the life and literary works of Leslie Marmon Silko. The Native American poet and novelist grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico on the Laguna Pueblo reservation where she learned traditions and myths of the Laguna tribe.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, she graduated from the University of New Mexico and advanced to pursue a degree in law school. She later, however, abandoned her legal studies to pursue a writing career.
Silko’s work reflects Native American culture and stories from her childhood. Her famous work Ceremony describes the horrors that the Native Americans faced during and following World War II. They were forced out of their homes, taken out of their social context/cultural norms, and forced to join the service. Silko focuses on Tayo, a Japanese prisoner of war, and how he used ceremonies to heal himself after the war because traditional doctors were not acclimated to treat the soldiers' mental instability. Through her literary work, readers can conclude that Silko was a strong believer that the purpose of the art of writing is to draw upon identity and surrounding culture.
The third central theme pivots around diverse voices due to immigration, changing roles of women, changing ideas about race, ethnicity, class, and sexuality. Similar to the first central theme, it links to John Winthrop’s life and writings. In his work, City upon a Hill, Winthrop proclaimed that New England would be 'as a City on a Hill'. By this, Winthrop meant that all eyes were on the Puritans and they were to serve as Christian examples. As every visible sign in their lives lead towards Christ's return, the Puritans saw themselves as reliving a biblical narrative. Although having all eyes on them brought on a huge responsibility, the Puritans faced great reward from following and obeying God.
Immigration greatly impacted the Puritans’ perception of other cultures and their perceived influence on them. The Puritans perceived Native Americans as uncivilized potential enemies and sought out for redemption of their souls. When the Quakers arrived, they also clashed with the Puritans instantly. However, the Quakers were able to initiate peace and a ground for resolution to any future conflict. Their ideals lead to American values that stand today, such as freedom of speech, and the writing of the U.S. Constitution. As immigration occurred, the Puritans had to inquire about different cultures and reason around the best way to get them to conform.
The fourth and final central theme is centered around changing ways of thinking about America as a nation in relation to U.S. involvement in international politics as well as issues of economic growth. The theme connects with the lives and works of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine. According to www.history.org, Benjamin Franklin attended South Grammar School in Boston Massachusetts as a young child. There he showed great talent in the area of writing. As a result, he began attending George Brownell’s English School, a school that specialized in writing and arithmetic. He read abundantly to improve aspects of his writing and later became a writer amongst many other jobs and interests. Some of his greatest works include Poor Richard's Almanac and The Autobiography.
During the French and Indian War, he used his craft to draft proposals of outlines regarding ways that funds could be used for colonial defense. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Thomas Paine was born in Norfolk, England of a Quaker father and Anglican mother. He attended school, but his education was just minimal enough to master the areas of writing. Upon Paine’s arrival in America, conflict was occurring between England and the colonists.
As a result, he used his writing to initiate a solution by revolting against England and demanding independence. In Common Sense and The Crisis, No. 1, Thomas Paine outlined how important it was that Americans fight for their freedom from Great Britain. These works highlight Paine's great support for an independent and self-governing America through the hardships of the Revolutionary War. Paine was able to accomplish his goal of urging Americans to gain independence from Britain through his use of figurative language, tone, and rhetorical devices in his writing.
John Winthrop’s Life and Works of Writing. (2024, Feb 24). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/john-winthrop-s-life-and-works-of-writing-essay
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