Entry A. William Bradford

http://www.georgetowncollege.edu/Departments/English/coke/bradford.htm

1. Thesis: In an excerpt from William Bradford's "Of Plymouth Plantation", although the Puritans experience hardships in their voyage to America, in their initial arrival and in their dealings with the Indians they still maintain their reverence to God and to one another.

2. Quote: "What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace? May not and ought not the children of these fathers rightly say: 'Our fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto the Lord, and He heard their voice and looked on their adversity,' etc. 'Let them therefore praise the Lord, because He is good: and His mercies endure forever.' 'Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, show how He hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor. When they wandered in the desert wilderness out of the way, and found no city to dwell in, both hungry and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in them. Let them confess before the Lord His loving kindness and His wonderful works before the sons of men.'"

3. The quote above is a section of which I have chosen as my favorite. I like this quote because it sounds like something that would have came out of the Bible and it shows that God is there for them even when it does not seem like it and He will "deliver them from the hand of the oppressor" like He already has done for many years.

4. Journal Entry: Today is the day that we set forth to my new home...America! Mom and Dad have been discussing this issue for long periods of time but today, what was once just words spoken became reality. Mom told me late last night to make sure that i had all of my things packed and ready to for morning would bring our time to leave. I didn't know what to make of the situation all i knew was that God had in store for me a great journey and He knew what was to become of my new life. This morning mom woke me up before the sun was up and told me to grab my things and follow her. I did as i was told without questioning. We walk out the front door and kept walking until we reached our first step to the new world, as mom called it. She said that dad was already here making sure that everything was in its place and the passengers would be safe to ride the Mayflower (that's what daddy called the boat). Me and mommy were told that we were given a great opportunity to stay next to the captains cabin due to the great contributions my daddy had given to make our journey happen. On the way to our cabin i saw many many people having to go underneath the ship. So many i wondered how they could all fit under there. They all looked frightened and there children looked ill. I just thanked God that i was not worn like they. And i pray to God that one day they can look bright like the way i do. I also pray that He will give me a safe and adventurous journey, and i will see what comes next in my life!



5. Political Cartoon: Immigration
America is supposed to be a land of opportunity for all people, but it seems like that the opportunity for all has faded away. This political cartoon shows two men one legal immigrant the other a whit male. Behind both of them is a board saying what they did for the day. The immigrant had done unthinkable tasks that day while the American had done pretty much nothing. This cartoon shows the struggle that Immigrants have to face in order to live, while we Americans have unbelievably blissful lives compared. So why do Americans give grieve to Immigrants when they are no harm to them and already have uneasy lives.

Entry B. Anne Bradstreet

http://www.puritansermons.com/poetry/anne13.htm

1. Poem Reflection: "Upon the Burning of Our House"

The poem "Upon the Burning of Our House" by Anne Bradstreet most impressed me because although she is torn apart by the tragedy of her house burning down she always returns her attention to God. She does this in a lot of her poems but this one caught my attention because the burning or her house was a terrifying trauma. Yet Anne Bradstreet still finds her way back to her beliefs in her hardest times.

2. Diary Entry:

As I was driving my car today I past by a brand new outlet mall on my way to church and although i was running a little late i just had to stop and scope out the new stores, drawn in by the attractive lights and signs. I knew i should have continued on my way to church but i was caught up in the passion to shop. I got out of the car in a hurry trying to make my way fast threw the crowd still remembering that i had to get to church within a few short minutes and this service i could not miss. I went passed most of the stores which did not appeal to me when i came across my favorite store...Gucci!!!!!!!! Still knowing that i have to get to church I stared through the window, scanning their inventory. Purses, shoes and jewelry galore. So now im stuck with the desicion of going into the store and probally missing church service or leaving right now and hopefully make it on time. So i pondered this decision finally coming up with a conclusion. I shall attened church and just come back another time to this store which will always be here!

3. Political Cartoon:

When women’s rights were assumed most women took immediate action to the thing that they could rightly do. In the political cartoon there is a woman standing up for her newly assumed rights as a woman allowed to vote. In Anne Bradstreet’s poem “Upon the Burning of Our House” she talks about how her house and all of her things were consumed in a fire, but she stands up for her Puritan beliefs and refers to her real treasure lying above. The next detail in the political cartoon is the grim look on the woman’s face as she sees that she is leaving her husband and her children behind although she knows what she is doing is right. Parallel to this, Anne Bradstreet talks in her poem about how she misses her materialistic things but she catches herself, coming back to her Puritan beliefs which she knows is what she should be thinking about. So relating this political cartoon and Anne Bradstreet’s poem is both women stand up for what they believe in but the fall back to the things that they are most comfortable with.

Entry C: Edward Taylor (1645-1729)

http://www.puritansermons.com/poetry/taylor.htm

Thesis: In the poem "Huswifery" Edward Taylor uses conceit, rhyme, and imagery to show his journey to Heaven.

Reflection: This poem impressed me because of the way Taylor used the idea of a developing faith and made an analogy of the process of a developing shirt through weaving.

Entry D : Jonathan Edwards - 1741

http://www.piney.com/JonEdwSinHands.html

The use of this awful subject may be for awakening unconverted persons in this congregation. This that you have heard is the case of every one of you that are out of Christ. -- That world of misery, that take of burning brimstone, is extended abroad under you. There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hell's wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor any thing to take hold of; there is nothing between you and hell but the air; it is only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up.

E. The Slave Narrative

http://www.wsu.edu:8000/~dee/Equiano.html



What do people expect from America?
According to Olaudah Equiano's narrative, his expectations of america were mixed. The way the people treated him and the other slaves led Equiano to believe that America was a very harsh and inhuman place, but as he starts to gain independence he learns to make his life better and persues more.