Marta Sampedro González

Literatura de los Estados Unidos hasta 1850

Course 2015-2016
Assignment # 1

Read “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, by Jonathan Edwards, and “A

Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson”.

What do you think about the way Rowlandson describe Native Americans and
their culture in her “Narrative”?

Throughout the text, it can be observed the presence of two distinct narrative
voices which alternate throughout the narrative. On the one hand, Rowlandson tries to
use her experience as a lesson for people who have problem far from salvation. On the
other hand, she uses the act of writing to have her place as one of the "Chosen of God."

Rowlandson passes through different stages in which she tries to reconcile her
feelings of guilt for having survived the Indian attack in Lancaster and her later
captivity, which is narrated with a vigorous and welcoming style.

But, why does Rowlandson keep her faith and she thinks that everything is a
blessing from God? In my opinion, I think it is because of her Puritan beliefs, where it
was believed that God arranged everything with a purpose. Therefore, Rowlandson
accepts her situation and looks forward to her expected salvation, which is slow in
coming because she has not yet fulfilled her function. For that, she uses a metaphorical
language referred to the Bible.

“Therefore, let everyone that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to
come. The wrath of almighty god is now undoubtedly hanging over a great part of this
congregation.”

“You that are here present that yet remain in an unregenerate state. That God will
execute the fierceness of his anger implies that he will inflict wrath without any pity”.