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

A Comparison and Contrast of the Supernaturals wide awake Role in the Lives of MaryRowlandson and Benjamin Franklin     The literature written during this duration period reflects the importantpart the supernatural (God) played during those changing times. The impudent worldwas struggling for a new identity. Were these individuals besides defining the federal agency of God to themselves?     In the preceding discussion the lives of Mary Rowlandson and BenjaminFranklin ordain be discussed. Each wrote a narrative of their life experiences.There atomic number 18 marked contrasts and comparisons between these two individuals relatedto their perceptions of God.     Religion was a merry part of life in colonial America. A shift fromtheism to free thought was occurring. The Puritans of this time were fleeing the Churchof England. Their hope was to return to the more primitive ways, to renounce thechurches hierarchy and rit ual.     Mary Rowlandson, a puritan in Lancaster, Massachusetts was captured byIndians, along with three of her children in the year 1676. In her narrativeshe relates the business relationship of her survival in the wilderness for a period of threemonths. She is interpreted away 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 memorial is an account of his life and beginswith his boyhood life in Boston. He later flees to Philadelphia to bunk hisbrothers rule over him. He relates how he was "dirty", "fatigud", and "Want of inhabit" (222).In these depictions we can see 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 creature comforts of whichthey were accustomed.Rowlandsons faith was remarkable considering all that she endured.Through out the narrative she must(prenominal) rely on her faith in God. She incorporatesnumerous verses from the Bible to erect 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 likewise noted that she was able to useher trade to survive, "knitting a gibe 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 swellhead? 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).