Week 7: Writings of the Puritans (Age of Faith) The Darker Side

Hello, and welcome to another beautiful week! This week we will continue to study the writings of the Puritans. Your readings this week will focus on the dark side of the Puritans: the witch trials—arguably, what the Puritans are best known for. The literature you will read reflects the anxieties of the time.

Fear of the Indians loomed large. Puritan and Indian life were inextricably linked. Many Puritans viewed the Indians as harmless, but others feared the so-called “heathens” and their “evil” ways—even Indians who converted to Christianity and devoutly worshipped. Tensions ran high.

The Puritans’ faith also began to fracture. A new generation was born on American soil that was not around for the religious zealousness of their parents. They did not understand the religious strength that a new and harsh land necessitated. Life moved on for the new generation. With that, the faith of the Puritans transformed. Fearing a wayward flock, Puritan leaders saw their spiritual fracture as the hand of the Devil spreading its bloody fingers across their community of fragile souls. This (fear), in part, led to the witch trials. The witch trials can be seen as a symbol of the ultimate fracture of their faith.

You will read a direct court transcript; You will read a condemnation; You will even read an apology! This week we will attempt to peel back the layers of the writings of the puritans to discover what was really going on. Enjoy!

Week 7 Learning Objectives

By the end of Week 7, students will be able to

Compose a discussion forum post (IRAP) that breaks down one or more of this week’s readings in order to assess what underlying conflict is present that may be a potential motivation for the Salem Witch trials.
Compose a journal that examines the ideas, concepts, or questions from the syllabus readings and relates the discussion to the personal or public.
Compose one discussion forum response to another student’s posts that either break the posts down into parts, apply the posts to a new situation, evaluate the merits of, or extend the ideas of the original posts being responded to.

Week 7 To Do List

Read the Week 7 Overview.
Read the Week 7 Lecture Notes
Complete the readings from Week 7 of the syllabus.
Post your IRAP to the Week 7 Discussion Forum on or before Thursday at 11:59pm
Complete a Journal entry on or before Friday night at 11:59pm
Compose one Discussion Forum response on or before Saturday at 11:59pm
Submit your Essay 2 to the correct dropbox on or before Sunday at 11:59pm