American Literature - Essay Example

William Bradfort hailed from Yorkshire, England in 1590 from a wealthy farmer family. He was orphaned at a young age of 7 years old and forced him by circumstance to live with his uncle. He professed that his illness forced him to spend most of his time reading and studying. He read the bible and the literature s of the Separatists movement within Puritans. These has strong influenced in his worldviews (Bradfort, 2006). He left England for Holland to gain religious freedom and the persecution of James VI and James 1 (Bradfort, 2006).

In 1620, he joined with the pilgrims to the New World to evade their assimilation from Dutch culture and wrote the Mayflower compact, an agreement of 41 voyagers, while on board the ship. He was a governor of Plymouth colony from 1621 to 1656 to foster self-governance and religious freedom (Bradfort, 2006). The compact was considered as the first constitution of North America. His famous write-up was the Of the Plymouth where he extensively discussed the triumphs and tragedies. His literature extensively reflected his religious nature.

Of the Plymouth was a significant historic resource for Americans which details the dream of the writer of peace at the midst of war and its total submission of faith to God as the ultimate healer of his chasm while they searched for a place of this dream (Bradfort, 2006). Some experts made his account as a dramatic demonstration of historian knowledge and an intelligent prose writer. It was also a solid evidence of the influences of the historians in his writings as well as the theological perspective in raising hopes over economic and social problems at that time.

Other experts regarded his passion on sexuality, gender and race reflects the ‘inclusion and exclusion’ as he defined and described the circumstances and context governing or influencing his life (Bradfort, 2006). He was realists and empiricists whose lyrics of prose mirror the realities where he was subjected. The simplicity of his literary qualities was perceived as his personal intention and quest to make him easily understood whilst describing their pact and the place they have sailed forth to sustain the principles they cherish – the values of Puritanism and the necessary sacrifices of those part of the Plymouth (Bradfort, 2006).

The Journal was described further as first hand historical account of 30 years of Plymouth Colony which is a combined handwriting of an eyewitness and a reflection of a pilgrim’s leader. He stressed that the reformers endeavoured to worship God and sustain the discipleship of Christ’s church to uphold episcopal dignity against the religious persecution they suffered in those time (Bradfort, 2006). Cotton Mather, on the other hand, hailed from Massachusetts and earned higher education from Harvard and Glasgow.

He was politically influential in the formation of New England Puritan since both of his parents are Puritan ministers. He was a prolific writer and wrote more than 450 books and these made him very influential among religious groups in America (Mather & Mather, 1862). The most important narrative he wrote was the Magnalia Christi Americana which illustrated narratives of cultural relevance. His literary works are inspires by biblical passages but its Puritan purview are addressed to contemporary readers.

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