“Was Bradford’s account a morality tale for future generations?”
William Bradford was born in 1590 and lived until 1627. He is most well known for being the govenor of the plymyth plantation for over 30 years, He also wrote the book Plymyth Plantation. The book is primarily about English leaving england to the Netherland and eventually settling in the new world of America in about 1620. The Journal was written between 1630 and 1650.
Detailing the many Hardships about why they made the journey and about the Journey itself, it starts by describing the religous persuction that the settlers faced in England at the time. Because of this hard ship, the Pilgrims had to move to Holland. They soon, hoEVER, found out that the general Climate was rather unsuitble for their needs and lifestyle, and they decided to embark again in search of a home. In 1620, the mayflower left shore to cross the Atlantic Ocean to America. For 66 days the Boat braved the wilderness of the Atlantic and pushed through rough conditions. A problem arose when the Mayflowers partner ship, The SPeedwell, began leaking and had to stoip the journey early, some passengers crossed over to the Mayflower, and the Speedwell headed back to England.
When they got close to America, they had Realized it was cape cod and that they had failed there journey to the South, toward virdinia. Bradford recounted the Pilgrims, ““fell upon their knees & blessed ye God of heaven, who had brought them over ye vast & furious ocean, and delivered them from all ye periles & miseries therof, againe to set their feete on ye firme and stable earth, their proper elemente.”
The harsh Northern winter had ravaged their group, causing illness and death.
This I do believe was written to inspire future generations. Never give up. Bradford encountered extreme hardship with his religious Brothers and Sister, yet persisted and in the end was succesful. I think he wrote for many reasons, including wanting to document the Hell he had been through, but to also show that with the Faith in God and with willpower, anything is possible.
JBSchool 