Faculty of Humanities and Social Science > English

American Visions, American Stories: The Puritan World View and Early American

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Gopa B. Caesar:
Social Covenant   


Idea of covenant organizes Puritan civic life:
King/Queen of England not in charge of church governance
Individual church congregations enter into own covenants with each other and govern themselves
Church and government of colonies also enter into covenants—theocracy
Extremely threatening to English monarchy
Conformity in all aspects of life: “Here’s our contract with God and each other.”
Quashes dissent: break covenant & you’re out of church, land, community

Gopa B. Caesar:
The Appeal; or, What’s In It For Me?

Covenant system very delicately balanced—inherent drama
Those not Puritan definitely not elected
Be part of exceptional group
Belief world about to end—Puritans to “make way” for return of Christ
Emotional charge – extremely charismatic religion
Social pressures – economic pressures
Not just about religion – also all about politics and social order
Sense of order and community in totally disordered / fractured world

Gopa B. Caesar:
Of Pilgrims and Puritans: What’s the difference?

All Pilgrims are Puritans, but not all Puritans are Pilgrims

Most Puritans are happy to keep the Church of England–simply want to PURIFY it by working from within (Winthrop, Bradstreet, Boston/Massachusetts Bay Co., est. 1630)

Pilgrims are radical Puritans—Church of England has to go—beyond salvation (Bradford, Plymouth Plantation, est. 1620)

Gopa B. Caesar:
Of Pilgrims and Puritans, 2

“Separatists” – Separate from Church of England and therefore from England itself

Social outcasts – radical, subversive, persecuted

Of Mayflower and First Thanksgiving fame (a myth)

Gopa B. Caesar:
William Bradford, 1590-1657

Separatist Puritans (Pilgrims) to Plymouth, 1620

Group most persecuted in England

Most radical, extreme views

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