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

A Comparison and Contrast of the Supernaturals active voice Role in the Lives of MaryRowlandson and Benjamin Franklin     The literature written during this beat period reflects the importantpart the supernatural (God) played during those changing times. The unexampled worldwas struggling for a new identity. Were these individuals similarly defining the mathematical function of God to themselves?     In the preceding discussion the lives of Mary Rowlandson and BenjaminFranklin depart be discussed. Each wrote a narrative of their life experiences.There argon marked contrasts and comparisons between these two individuals relatedto their perceptions of God.     Religion was a spanking part of life in colonial America. A shift 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 egest thechurches hierarchy and ritual. & nbsp   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 paper of her survival in the wilderness for a period of threemonths. She is taken away from her home and husband, "all was gone (except mylife) and I knew not nevertheless the next moment that might go too" (127).Benjamin Franklins The recital is an account of his life and beginswith his boyhood life in Boston. He later flees to Philadelphia to bleed hisbrothers rule over him. He relates how he was "dirty", "fatigud", and "Want of occupy" (222).In these depictions we can see an analogy. These individuals are removedfrom their homes and families. Although Benjamin Franklins remotion was of hisown free will. They each suffered as they no longer had the comfort of whichthey were accustomed.Rowlandsons faith was remarkable considering all that she endured.Through out the narrative she essential rely on her faith in God. She incorporatesnumerous verses from the Bible to tornado 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 in any case noted that she was able to useher trade to survive, "knitting a oppose 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 self-centred? 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).