1. Thesis Statement
In an excerpt from WIlliam Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation, although the Puritans experience hardship in their voyage, in their initial arrival, and in dealing with the indians, they still maintained their reverence to god and to one another.
2. The Passage
September 6 [1620]. These troubles being blown over, and now all being compact together in one ship, they put to sea again with a prosperous wind, which continued divers days together, which was some encouragement unto them; yet, according to the usual manner, many were afflicted with seasickness. And I may not omit here a special work of God’s providence. There was a proud and very profane young man, one of the seamen, of a lusty, able body, which made him the more haughty; he would always be contemning the poor people in their sickness and cursing them daily with grievous execrations; and did not let to tell them that he hoped to help to cast half of them overboard before they came to their journey’s end, and to make merry with what they had; and if he Were by any gently reproved, he would curse and swear most bitterly. But it pleased God before they came half seas over, to smite this young man with a grievous disease, of which he died in a desperate manner, and so was himself the first that was thrown overboard. Thus his curses light on his own head, and it was an astonishment to all his fellows for they noted it to be the just hand of God upon him.
3. ExplanationI like this passage because it is very ironic. The lusty, able bodied man is ridiculing all the sea sick ones but he is the first one to be thrown overboard. He deserves this because he kept ridiculing them about how weak they were. The puritans believed that this was god's will.
4. Diary
Immigration is a very controversial issue in America today. In the political cartoon, the statue of liberty is holding a sign that says immigration reform bill. This shows that our country is constantly debating our immigration policies. Also in the political cartoon, the text on the side says "Send us your best and brightest point-getters, yearning to raise our G.D.P. All others pay a fine of $5,000 and maybe you can stay". This means that if you are rich you can stay, or you can work yourself up the career ladder and then pay a fine to stay here.
6. Essential Question
What is an American?
An American during that time was anyone who wanted a new life or wanted religious freedom. Religious dissenters made up most of the population of the New World, aside from the indians. Most people in that time did not consider the Indians Americans but they were there before any white people were.
B. Anne Bradstreet
"To my Dear and Loving
Husband"
According to the Christian religion, when two people get married, they become one. In "To My Dear and Loving Husband", Anne Bradstreet uses this saying as the first line in the poem. This seems sweet and romantic, but it really just displays her insecurity. Throughout the poem, Anne Bradstreet keeps going on about this wonderful fantasy that is her love. However, she is just trying to reassure herself of her marriage. To convince herself that her marriage is perfect, she comes up these eloquent ideas of what she wishes their love was.
2.Diary
3. Political Cartoon
Women in todays society are held to a certain stereotype, they need to be skinny, stay home, vacuum, do the dishes, and so much more household tasks. In the political cartoon, there is a woman standing in the kitchen holding a broom. This enforces the stereotype we have set for woman in todays society, which is cleaning and cooking. Also in the cartoon, there is a parrot saying "Where's my @*#!^ dinner? Iron my shirts! Lose weight!!!...". You are left to assume that the parrot is repeating what the husband is saying, supporting the role woman are expected to play in a marriage.
C. Edward Taylor
"Huswifery"
Thesis Statement
In "Huswifery", Edward Taylor uses Conceit, Imagery, and Rhymeto describe his journey with god, from beginning to end.
D. Jonathan Edwards
"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry Gods"
Jonathan Edwards uses imagery in his sermons to make people so scared of going to hell that they will do the right thing. He uses images such as the gaping mouth of hell and a rock held above hell by a spiders web to enforce that no matter what, you are going to hell unless you work really hard at going to heaven.
The figurative language used in his sermons greatly reinforces the fact that everyone is going to hell.
I made this collage which reflects Jonathan Edwards sermon. I superimposed a few images that were provoked by Edward's sermon. Some of the images included a fiery eye,a spider, hell, and rushing water. These images speak very powerfully about Edwards point he is trying to get across.
E. Olidah Equiano
"The Slave Narrative"
Political Cartoon
Racism is not as big of a problem as it used to be, but it is still a prominent, horrible thing that exists in today's society. For example, in the political cartoon, there is an ape, which represents a black person, chauferring a white couple around. This shows that people view blacks as different and below them and they expect them to do jobs no one else will, like drive them around town. Also in the cartoon, the white male in the back says finally, everything is back to normal. This implies that Blacks are finally back in their place doing bad, demeaning jobs. The government has tried to stop racism, but no matter what it will always exist in a society.
