The Importance And Evolution Of Religion In Early American Society
The Iroquois Creation Story, by David Cusick, Upon the Burning of Our House by Anne Bradstreet, and On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, by Phillis Wheatley, all portray the importance and evolution of religion in early American society. Although each of these works discussreligion, they are not all based on the same beliefs. Cusick’s story is basedon the existence and creation of good versus evil. Bradstreet’s poemillustrates an unwavering faith in Christianity. Wheatley addresses the lifeand afterlife of reverend Whitefield in her poem. While all of these literaryworks are different, they all helped shape religious beliefs in early American society.
The Iroquois Creation
Story accounts the “history” of creation for the Iroquois people. Soonafter the story has begun, one can see the similarities in Cusick’s work andthat of creation in The Bible. The main characters are Enigorio andEnigonhahetgea, also known as the minds of good and evil. The twinstry to live in harmony but fail to exist peacefully together. A battle forcontrol and power of the land takes place until, ultimately, evil is banishedinto the earth. His last words stated he “would have equal power over the soulsof mankind after death”. This symbolism of God and Satan’s battlein the Bible is very important to the growth of religion. If the people had notheard this story first, it might be hard for them to comprehend the teachingsof the Bible.
While Bradstreet may not agree with all the Puritan rituals, she did not let that affect her relationship and faith in God. During one ofthe hardest times in her life, showed through her poem, Upon the Burning of Our House, she kept her faith in God andallowed Him to give her peace through her trial. Anne was still human and hadher moment of sorrow and farewell to her belongings “Adieu, Adieu, all’svanity”. After that she brushed away the pity and came to arealization. Her wealth was not here on earth, and she had never placed herhope in objects that would turn to dust, rather, her “hope and treasure liesabove”. After this realization Bradstreet remembers the shehas a house “on high erect” and all of her troubles seem tomelt away. This poem allows the reader to evaluate Anne and her faith and findstrength for themselves in her words. Bradstreet’s work strengthened thereligious community and gave them inspiration to further their faith.
On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, by Phillis Wheatley is a type of tribute to thereverend and his life here on earth, as well as a description of her belief ofthe afterlife. It is obvious that Rev. Whitefield made a great impact onWheatley’s life, which tells the reader how much he, and religion, impacted herwriting. Being a woman of faith, she describes his ascension as one of biblicalbelief, “There Whitefield wings with rapid course his way, / and sails to Zionthrough the vast seas of day”. Phillis goes on to describe hissermons and passion for his congregation. Finally, she concludes, with peace, that he suffers no more and will be brought up when the rapture takes place,“Whitefield no more exerts his laboring breath… Till life divine re-animateshis dust”. Without Whitefield’s guidance and influence onWheatley, her religious views could still be that of her African heritage. If Phillis chose to believe in her traditional views, her writings could haveshaped the minds of her readers in a very different way. The Iroquois Creation Story, by David Cusick, Upon the Burning of Our House, by Anne Bradstreet, and On the Death of the Rev.Mr. George Whitefield, by Phillis Wheatley, illustrate the growth ofreligion in early American society. Religion can be traced in all of theseworks but, they are not all based on the same beliefs. Cusick, Bradstreet, andWheatley all voice different opinions and views on religion and theirindividual beliefs. While these literary works are different, they all helpedshape religious beliefs in early American society.
