From Of PlymouthPlantation by William Bradford
William Bradford
b. 1590, Yorkshire, England
d. 1657
Orphaned as an infant, Bradford was raised by relatives.
Studied the bible and became a Separatist
In 1609, Bradford moved to Holland with his congregation, but they feared assimilation into the Dutch culture.
At age 30, Puritan William Bradford sailed on the Mayflower to the Americas.
Ship landed nearly 500 miles off course at Cape Cod on Nov 21, 1620.
Disembarked on December 26, 102 settlers disembarked at Plymouth.
Bradford was elected governor when John Carver died.
Half of the settlers died within the first two months of scurvy, pneumonia, fever or starvation.
By harvest the next year with the help of Natives Samoset and Squanto, the settlers had stored food and supplies and considered themselves prosperous.
Bradford was re-elected governor for 31 terms.
Began to compile Of Plymouth Plantation in 1630.
Diction – Writer’s choice of words
Bradford uses diction to indicate the will of God in the lives of the Puritans.
-“but it pleased God” that John Howland was saved
-“As by God’s good providence they did,” in reaching Cape Cod
-“blessed the God of heaven” for their safe journey
-“yet the Lord so upheld these persons” those who were able to care for sick
Bradford also uses diction to indicate the harshness of life in the New World
-“winds so fierce and seas so high”
-“dangerous shoals and roaring breakers”
-“vast and furious ocean”
-“know them to be sharp and violent”
Point of View – Third person narrative with occasional switches to first
-Bradford writes in third person as though he were not present during the experience
-He then uses first person pronouns, myself, to indicate that he was one of the sick.
-Shows an emphasis on the community rather than himself
Bias
Treaty with the Native Americans
-four of the six terms were of exclusive benefit to the Puritans
-two of the terms were reciprocal
-considering the odds, the terms would encourage peaceful relationships between the two groups
Allusion – reference to a character, setting or event from history, literature or culture
-Bradford references Seneca’s voyage to compare to the Mayflower
-Uses biblical allusion to compare Native American encounter with Apostle Paul