Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
SEVENTEENTH CENTURY ENGLISH COLONIAL LITERATURE
elected governor John Carver (1576–1621), Bradford was elected governor. He was
re-elected thirty times, serving as governor for almost all but the last ve years of
his life. He signed the Mayower Compact that ordered their earthly rule (even as
a means to prepare for heavenly rule); held to the Compact’s democratic principles
in his governorship; worked to repay the debt to the British investors who funded
their project in America; and did much to organize and lead the pilgrims’ lives.
Self-educated particularly in languages—including Hebrew—and an avid
reader, Bradford applied his knowledge and skills to recording the history Of
Plymouth Plantation. He started this chronicle largely in response to the growth of
Non-Separatist settlers in the colony, settlers whom he saw as competing with the
Separatists. His history records such important events as the pilgrims’ landing at
Plymouth, the Mayower Compact, the rst Thanksgiving, and the Puritan ethic
in action as it was put to trial and served as testimony of God’s designs. These
designs included the pilgrims’ persecutions, voyage to and landing at Plymouth,
suering starvation and sickness there, as well as experiencing increasing tensions
between themselves and the Native Americans. In the Puritan plain style, Bradford
oers simple yet monumental truths of their lives.
Image 2.2 | Landing of the pilgrims at Plymouth 11th Dec. 1620
Artist | N. Currier
Source | Wikimedia Commons
License | Public Domain
Page | 100