Persistent Views In American Writings
America was built on the principles of brotherhood, being a role model society, and national pride; these values have persisted, and it is apparent in writing throughout American history. For example, although Benjamin Franklin and Mary Rowlandson published writing almost a century apart, there are similarities and their autobiographies are indicative of the societies they lived in. This type of writing is usually meant to entertain, but their underlying purpose was to evoke a sense of nationalism in the reader; their writing is propaganda. In A True History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, Rowlandson recounts her capture during the Metacom War and ultimate liberation. She is captured by a group of Native Americans in the midst of the Metacom War, and she experiences unfathomable hardships. She credits God for her survival and liberation. Rowlandson’s writing inspires her audience to follow a Puritan way of life to overcome obstacles. In Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, Franklin writes about his humble upbringing to public and political success; while he credits God’s goodwill as a factor of his success, Franklin’s writing influences his audience to lead a secular, individualistic lifestyle influenced by views from the Enlightenment movement. These autobiographies are indicative of the differences in world views held by the writers such as: views on conformity vs. deviance, religion vs. reasoning, and alienation vs acceptance.
Wars and the Enlightenment Movement are the main factors for these differences in values. The Puritan movement was called for when a group of Protestant followers didn’t feel aligned with Protestant principles. They believed it was their God-sent destiny to become the ideal model society (De Jong); ironically, deviation from being the ideal citizen was a punishable sin. Rowlandson’s writing also portrays deviation from societal norms as a punishable sin. She writes about her first Sabbath experience during her capture being in the presence of Pagans, and reminisces on times she didn’t attend Sabbath. She claims “… I had walked in God’s sight; which lay so close upon my spirit, what it was easy for me to see how righteous it was with God to cut off the thread of my life, and cast me out of his presence forever.”. Rowlandson had gone days without food or water, had a wound, and was treating her ill child; she believes her circumstances were merited due to her deviance from worshipping God, and any improvement in her condition was due to the kindness of God. Conformity was valued in Rowlandson and Puritan’s views.
This is contrary to the views portrayed in Franklin’s writing. He believes deviance is justified. Franklin was raised with religious values, but later strayed from the norm due to his inclination for argument. Franklin claims,” Some books against deism fell into my hands … It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary… the arguments of the deists which were quoted to be refuted appeared to me much stronger… I soon became a thorough deist.” A contributing factor to this difference in views held by both writers is due to the Enlightenment movement. This movement encouraged citizens to question tyrannical authority and views with which they don’t agree. This movement saw a shift in society from religion to reason. In Rowlandson’s writing, she is portrayed as a martyr. After living as a member of the elite class, she loses everything and regains her freedom and happiness by maintaining her faith in God. She is the model for how the ideal citizen will be saved by God’s goodwill. Allusions to religion throughout her writing indicates a purpose of persuading her audience to remain faithful to their religion; worship was valued in a Puritan lifestyle. Rowlandson states “I cannot but take notice of the wonderful mercy of God to me in those afflictions, in sending me a bible…”. Although she was weary from many “removals” and had recently endured the loss of a child, she found strength through her relationship with God.
Although Franklin, like many of his time, had a religious upbringing, he avoided public worship and didn’t believe religion had a place in public life. He states “I had caught it by reading my father’s books of dispute on religion. Persons of good sense, I have since observe, seldom fall into it…”. He doesn’t believe educated people accept religious views due to lack of scientific evidence. Unlike Rowlandson, Franklin valued reason and science over religion. He believes the ideal way to live is to question the unknown and try to find the answer through reason instead of crediting divine powers, “So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything…”. This difference in views is due to the influence of the Enlightenment movement in Franklin’s writing; as a scientist, Franklin favored argument and reasoning. However, he didn’t completely disregard religion. Although Franklin favored science over religion, he accepted and respected others with differing views. He didn’t believe in excluding others from the benefits of society based on religious views. When writing his piece on ideal virtues, he states “I had purposely avoided them; for being fully persuaded of the utility and excellency of my method, and that it might be serviceable to people in all religions, and intending sometime or other to publish it, I would not have anything in it that should prejudice anyone of any sect against it.” He didn’t want to alienate groups of people because his political power would have more reach through acceptance. This was different from Mary Rowlandson’s views. Puritans believed it was their destiny to be model citizens; as citizens, it was their duty to spread this message. This belief justified harsh conversion methods which led to strained relationships with neighboring Native tribes. Rowlandson viewed groups that were different as savages. Puritan society dehumanized individuals with different spiritual beliefs. Rowlandson refers to her Native American capturers as “… those roaring Lions and Savage Bears, that feared neither God nor Man…”.
The cause of this difference in views between Franklin and Rowlandson is the pressure of war. Franklin was accepting of opposing views because America was going through its separation from Great Britain through the American Revolution and he was on the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Franklin witnessed how oppression from tyrannical government and alienation ultimately led to weakened government power, so he was inclined to avoid marginalizing groups. Rowlandson’s piece was written in the midst of the Metacom war. Therefore, she viewed the Native tribes as savages and enemies. This point of view was one of many that has persisted in today’s American Society. America still sees itself as “the City Upon a Hill”; Americans believe themselves to be the model society.
This is implied in George W. Bush’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People. Bush states that the reason America is attacked by terrorists is that the terrorists oppose the privileges granted to advanced societies such as freedom and liberty. Being a role model society, America also still holds the “Us vs. Them” belief. After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Bush announced “Every nation in every region has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.” However, America has also consistently valued alliances throughout history. Throughout his writing, Bush refers to other nations as “friends”. This aligns with Puritan views portrayed in Rowlandson’s writing and John Winthrop’s A Model of Christian Charity. Winthrop believes “If you love God, you’ll love your brother.” This view is shared in Rowlandson’s writing when she is liberated with the financial cooperation of her community who continued to help her family after her liberation. Alliance, an established national identity, and maintaining a superior image continue to be valued in today’s American society.
Benjamin Franklin came from humble beginnings into the elite class, and Mary Rowlandson was humbled from the elite class into poverty. Written pieces from both writers were indicative of difference in the values they held such as conformity vs. deviance, religion vs. reasoning, and acceptance vs. dehumanization. These polarizing views were due to the influence of large political movements and events such as the Enlightenment, the American Revolution, and the Metacom War. These influential figures also portrayed values that are still held in American society such as brotherhood, setting an example, and maintaining a national identity. Persistent views continue to define American society.
