Of Plymouth Plantation

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OF PLYMOUTH PLANTATION
By William Bradford
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The Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth
In 1620, the Puritans (Pilgrims) sail in
treacherous seas from Holland to Virginia. A
storm blows the Mayflower off course, and the
ship lands in present day Massachusetts. A few
months after their arrival, nearly half of the
100 Pilgrims have died of disease. Native
Americans befriend the Pilgrims and return the
tools they had previously stolen. Squanto
becomes an interpreter, guide, and teacher to the
Pilgrims, who learn to provide for themselves,
and celebrate the first Thanksgiving after the
harvest.
Study the picture and describe how you think
these people feel.
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A Guide to Puritan Life
The Puritans were a serious group of people who
put God and hard work first in their lives. They
rarely had any time for fun or good times. They
believed in strict conformity and a very strict
version of God. They wore very simple clothes and
did not allow dancing, which they saw as sinful
against God. They believed that witches were
real, and that they make a deal with the devil
for their magic powers. They worked together as a
community to build their towns, but this often
led to a fear of outsiders and nonconformity.
People who dared to threaten this world order
were either banished into the woods or were
killed, sometimes accused of witchcraft. The
Puritans believed in a "fire and brimstone"
method of preaching, and led lives in fear of an
angry God. Sometimes their strictness led to
horrific things happening in their community,
like the Salem Witch Trials.
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Some of Our First Immigrants
What would be some of the hardships that would
accompany an extended sea voyage as well as the
difficulties in building a colony?  What
hardships would the colonists face? What do you
think would get them through those hardships?
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The Time and Place
Ocean travel in 17th century England was
hazardous. Ships were made of wood and easily
damaged if they hit shoals (sandbars or shallow
spots in the water). Sometimes, strong waves
caused ships to seele, or lurch suddenly from
side to side. In fierce winds, sails were
lowered by heavy ropes called, halyards, and
ships would have to hull or drift at sea.
Storms and wind shifts sometimes made it
necessary for the Mayflower to change directions
(tack about) and to head for (or stand for) a
different course. Destined for Virginia, the
Mayflower eventually landed on the coast of what
is now Massachusetts. The passage you are
about to read is taken from William Bradfords
historic Of Plymouth Plantation. It gives an
account of the pilgrims experiences on board the
Mayflower and in the Plymouth colony in the
1620s.
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Historical Note
The Puritans held to a strict work ethic. They
believed the devil finds work for idle hands. In
England the calendar year included about 240
working days, but the Puritans worked at least
365 days a year, taking holidays only on the
Sabbath, election day, Harvard commencement day,
and public Thanksgiving days. The Pilgrim
calendar did not include Christmas as a holiday
because it was viewed as a pagan remnant.
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On the Lighter Side Puritanism American writer
H.L. Mencken said in 1949, Puritanism is the
haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be
happy.
Beginnings and Change
If you had been living during the seventeenth
century and given the opportunity to come to this
new land, would you have come? Give reasons why.
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Important Literary Terms

1. Diction - A writers choice of words is called
   diction. It contributes greatly to Bradfords
   writing style and voice. How would you describe
   his style on the basis of his choice of words in
   the opening paragraph?
2. Allusion A reference to a well known piece of
   work, in literature, art or documented history is
   called Allusion. In this passage, Bradford
   refers, or alludes to the scriptures from the
   Bible. Find them.
3. Point of View Throughout the selection,
   Bradford writes as if he were not present during
   these experiences. What might be his reason for
   using the third person plural they instead of
   writing this as a first person narrative?

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Why is this different?
Pre-Colonial Times
Modern Times
Discuss what has changed in Americans perception
of immigrants and what makes one iconic and the
other problematic.