A Comparison And Contrast Of The Supernaturals Active Role In The Liv :: essays research papers

A Comparison and Contrast of the Supernaturals Active Role in the Lives of bloody shameRowlandson and Benjamin Franklin     The literature written during this time period reflects the importantpart the supernatural (God) played during those changing times. The new(a) worldwas struggling for a new identity. Were these individuals also defining therole of God to themselves?     In the preceding discussion the lives of Mary Rowlandson and BenjaminFranklin will be discussed. Each wrote a narrative of their conduct experiences.Thither are marked contrasts and comparisons between these two individuals relatedto their perceptions of God.     Religion was a vital part of livelihood in colonial America. A sacking fromtheism to deism was occurring. The Puritans of this time were fleeing the Churchof England. Their hope was to return to the more primitive ways, to reject thechurches hierarchy and ritual.     Ma ry Rowlandson, a puritan in Lancaster, Massachusetts was captured byIndians, along with three of her children in the year 1676. In her narrativeshe relates the story of her survival in the wilderness for a period of threemonths. She is taken off from her home and husband, "all was gone (except mylife) and I knew not but the next moment that might go too" (127).Benjamin Franklins The Autobiography is an account of his life and beginswith his boyhood life in Boston. He later flees to Philadelphia to escape hisbrothers rule over him. He relates how he was "dirty", "fatigud", and "Want ofRest" (222).In these depictions we can chew the fat an analogy. These individuals are removedfrom their homes and families. Although Benjamin Franklins removal was of hisown free will. They each suffered as they no longer had the comforts of whichthey were accustomed.Rowlandsons faith was remarkable considering all that she endured. with out the narrative she essential rely on her faith in God. She incorporatesnumerous verses from the Bible to offer explanations for all that she hassuffered, "Wait on the Lord be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thineheart wait, I say on the Lord" (129). It is also noted that she was able to useher trade to survive, "knitting a pair of white cotton stockings for mymistress"(130). This is also a parallel to Franklin in that he also used histrade to survive. But one must ask what is motivating Rowlandson? Is she writingfor posterity or is she merely egocentric? Rowlandson has depicted herself asthe ultimate Puritan. Was the glory to God or to herself? She also relates here"how many Sabbaths I had lost and misspent" (128).