The+Scarlet+Letter

= The Puritans =

The term "Puritan" first began as a taunt applied by traditional Anglicans to those who criticized or wished to purify the Church of England. Puritans refer to two distinct groups: "separating" Puritans, such as the Plymouth colonists, who believed that the Church of England was corrupt and that true Christians must separate themselves from it; and non-separating Puritans, such as the colonists who settled the Massachusetts Bay Colony, who believed in reform but not separation (Life). They wanted to purify their national church by eliminating every shred of Catholic influence. (Life) Puritans believed that belief in Jesus and participation in the sacraments could not effect one's salvation; only God can choose salvation.
 * Background Information **

They banned drama, religious songs, and erotic poetry. Attending church was mandatory. Those that missed church were subject to a fine. Church had such a big role in life that the sermon was a means of addressing town problems or concerns. The church was sometimes patrolled by a person (a man) who held a long pole. On one end of the pole was feathers to tickle the chins of those who were sleeping. On the other end was hard wood to alert those who giggled or slept.
 * Importance of Church **



The Massachusetts Bay Colony was a man's town. Women did not participate in town meetings and were excluded from decision making in the church. Puritan ministers furthered male supremacy in their writings and sermons. "They preached that the soul had two parts, the immortal masculine half, and the mortal feminine half."
 * Division of Sex **

**Medicine in the 17th Century** Serious illness in the 17th century often meant certain death. They had little knowledge of physical illnesses, and even less knowledge about mental illness. When faced with an illness they couldn't diagnose, doctors at the time usually claimed that the illness was due to witchcraft.

They ate vegetables mainly including peas, carrots, and cauliflower; the meat they ate were fish as well as other roasted meats. For beverages, they would usually drink wine or ale.
 * Puritan Diet **

Typical Puritans usually wore brown, dull green, and tawny-colored wool or linen. The more wealthy Puritans wore black clothing made of silk. Women preferred shorter, simpler hair styles because they thought that long and curly hair were not feminine.
 * Puritan Dress **



"It was a sin to hang garlands on a Maypole, to drink a friend's health, to fly a hawk, hunt a stag, to play at chess, to wear lovelocks, to put starch into a ruff, to touch the virginals [a predecessor of the piano], to read the Fairy Queen "(Attitudes).
 * Superstitions **

**Important Event: Salem Witchcraft Trials in 1692** The Salem Witchcraft Trials were a series of hearings that involved trying to persecute people involved with witchcraft.Prior to the Salem Witch Trials persecutions, the Massachusetts Bay Colony colonists believed that Satan was roaming around Earth, possessing people. People could randomly accuse others of being a witch. They would be tested by methods such as being able to float in water while being tied to heavy objects. The "witches" were usually stoned to death, or hung.



"Puritan Life [ushistory.org]." Ushistory.org. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. . "Puritan Attitudes toward Culture." The Victorian Web: An Overview. Web. 06 Mar. 2011. . "Puritanism in New England." Washington State University - Pullman, Washington. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. . "Puritanism, Puritans." Public Services - Social, Religious, Scientific, Products, Environment. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. . "Early Puritan Life in the American Colonies." University of Southern Queensland. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. . "Puritan Life in Salem Village." Www.personal.psu.edu. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. . //University of Notre Dame//. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. .