Puritan Plain Style in Literature

Puritans were English Protestants in the 16th and 17th century. They believed that everything in the world should glorify God, and if it did not then the people that participated in these “sins” were to be deemed to hell. They used a special type of writings for their writings, known as purtian plain style. Puritan plain style is a type of writing complied with uncomplicated sentences and ordinary words are made simple, and direct. There are multiple authors that used this style, including Jonathan Edwards, William Bradford, and Anne Bradstreet.

To begin, Jonathan Edwards wrote the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, he preached this to his own congregation. Edwards uses imagery to paint a horrifying image for the “sinners”. By using graphic language his audience feels the effects of being deemed to hell for all eternity. Even if the people he began preaching did not believe, due to the way he delivered his words, scared his listeners into believing and following the puritan way.

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Since he used such deep and graphic words the listeners get a vivid image of God holding sinners above the fiery pits of hell. He does reassure them that there is light at the end of the tunnel in the form of God’s mercy.

Second, William Bradford wrote the journal “Of Plymouth Plantation”, he used in puritan plain style because he wanted to have clear and straightforward imagery. Bradford states, “they were encountered many times with cross wids, and met with many fierce storms.

” By saying this so clear he gets right to the point. William substituted his name with either “one” or “he”. Also, he considered the Puritans as “they” or “them” instead of referring to them as “the Puritans.” He would write with clear and understandable words, but still wrote to glorify God.

Third, Anne Bradstreet wrote two poems, “My Dear and Loving Husband”, and “Upon the Burning of our House” both using puritan plain style. In “My Dear and Loving Husband” she states “If ever two were one, then surely we.” and “Thy love is such I can in no way repay” are simple and direct statements. In this poem it also implies how deeply puritans felt for one another and how much they valued their relationships. In “Upon the Burning of our House” she uses the burning of her house a reason for her turning her complete attention to God. Since she turned to God she uses this poem to explain her faith.“I blest His grace that gave and took, That laid my goods now in the dust. Yea, it was so, and so 'twas just. It was His own; it was not mine.” this statement is implicating that all tangible items of Earth belong to God, and everything happens for a reason.

In conclusion, all purtian writers, wrote to glorify God and only God. Puritanism is a strict Christian religion and way of life. They thought this style of writing was a way to get themselves heard and be clear while still following their religious beliefs. Puritans wrote to get the point across that if all people did not glorify God every second of everyday then they were deemed to be put in hell.