About 124 years ago today, an important woman arrived at our colony, her name was Anne Hutchinson. She was one of our founders and a significant figure, not only known in this colony. Anne had a different interpretation of the Bible, this was against the Puritan rule in Massachusetts, and that’s why she was exiled to Rhode Island. While she lived in Massachusetts, Anne was recognized for holding church meetings in her own home. This was because of the way she interpreted the Bible. She was a woman and was expected to be submissive and supporting, instead, she was becoming a leader (Cullen-DuPont).Her sermons attracted many people because people weren’t completely free about their religion in Massachusetts. Anne believed in “covenant of grace,”
Smith discusses how the court felt Anne stepped out of her place by placing herself above the men, which angered the men who believed that women were below them. Another point smith makes is how much Anne’s second trial was effected by her interrupting a man who was speaking at the time. The court was more taken back by the fact that she had spoken out while a man was speaking then by what she had actually said. In the trial Anne asks over and over again for proof of her guilt, male witnesses testified to hearing her teachings and her claiming the gift of prophecy and this seals her fate. Anne tried to explain her actions but the men didn’t want an explanation they wanted her to open up and admit her wrong doings and to fully submit to their rule.
In 1634, a woman that would play one of the biggest roles in the development of early America came to Massachusetts from England. Before immigrating to the New World though, Anne Hutchinson lived in London with her husband William Hutchinson. There, a minister, John Cotton, who believed you didn’t need to follow the laws and rules of society to connect with God, resonated greatly with Anne. The idea that religion is based on personal views would be taken with her to the New World, where she would become an icon for conservative Puritanism and steadfast determination.
She was afflicted with the dreaded smallpox disease as a teenager and it flared up again later in life. Also as was common in those days, some of her children died when they were very young. In the 1660’s, her house burned down and she and her family were homeless for a time. However, Anne’s indomitable spirit was more than equal to all of these sufferings. This can be seen by the fact that she responded to her
American Jezebel: The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, the Woman who Defied the Puritans is a biography of Anne Hutchinson written by Eve LaPlante who is a direct descendant of Hutchinson. The book follows her life and gives some insight into the lives of people she was surrounded by. As the book progresses, the reader can better understand who Hutchinson was. It begins with Hutchinson being summoned at her trial at the courthouse in Cambridge, Massachusetts for heresy and sedition.
In search of religious freedom a group of devout Christians sailed across the ocean only to come across a new land, radically different from the one they left behind. From the initial journey, to the formation of the colonies, and finally their complicated relationship with “non-believers” Puritans strongly held religious convictions has played a key role in all of this. The Puritans were a group of reformed Protestants seeking to reform the English Church. After the fall of the Roman Catholic Church, a new church was established “The English Anglican Church”. While most Puritans sought to reform the church others wanted nothing to do with it these Puritans would eventually be known as Separatists.
Anne Hutchinson was the exception to this trend within the Puritan community because she had her own sessions of religious meetings. Women were banned to speak in public churches in 1636 mainly because of Hutchinson. She was exiled from Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1637. Although Anne Hutchinson was exiled from Massachusetts Bay,
Puritans are a people with a very strong belief in both God and the power of God. When people see power, they interpret it in different ways. Some know of power through anger and impulse, while others see power through the goodness the powerful one shows. Although Anne Bradstreet and Jonathan Edwards are both puritan poets, their writings convey mainly different, though sometimes similar, views on God because they have different perceptions of His will and the use of His power. Anne Bradstreet listens to and accepts anything that God wishes, and that is shown through her poem Upon the Burning of my House.
Like distinctive Puritans of her day, the purpose for Mary Rowlandson’s narrative was to express God 's inspiration in her life. In this
In history, people most often associate important figures with men. However, what most do not realize is that women have had a major impact on the history of America. If it had not been for some of the women in history, America would not be the amazing nation it has grown to be. What is hidden behind the mysterious curtains of history is the amazing women who have shaped it. One of these amazing women went by the name of Anne Marbury Hutchinson.
During the Puritan times gender roles in the society were very anti-feminist. Women were required to act as housewives and do womanly duties such as cook, clean, and take care of their children. Women had very little freedom as far as their rights were concerned also. Puritan writers, Anne Bradstreet and Mary Rowlandson both experienced the struggle of the anti-feminist movement. From their writings we see that they both were against anti-feminism and they tried their best to abandon the whole idea.
In her book, American Jezebel: The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, the Woman Who Defied the Puritans, Eve LaPlante explores parts of the life of Anne Hutchinson. Her intent is to tell the story of Anne Hutchinson’s life and clear her name as a woman who was accused of being a heretic in colonial America. LaPlante walks the reader through the trial Anne Hutchinson had with the leaders of her colony and gives background information throughout the book to share the story of Hutchinson’s life. LaPlante starts the story of Anne Hutchinson’s life at the beginning of her well-known trial. She tells of the occurrences in the room and compares Hutchinson’s trial to her father’s trial, which was similar in their accusation and punishment.
Anne Hutchinson challenged John Winthrop in his teachings of people’s salvation depending on their good deeds. John Winthrop’s teachings contradicted the Puritan belief of predestination. She was punished by banishment. Anyone who opposed the central government, the church and its ministers, were either banished or left. The Puritans’ ideas didn’t matter to their government.
Anne Hutchinson was too dangerous to remain in the Puritan colony because she opposed a threat to the mission. Straying from the typical role of women, holding house meetings, and claiming to have a spiritual experience are factors that led to Anne becoming a threat. During this time, women did not have the right to authoritative positions and their expectations were to be a good housewife and abide by the rules of the colony. Anne did not obey by this expectation, instead she was accused of violating the fifth amendment by making disrespectful claims of those above her which puts a threat to the colonies “Godly community”. Anne accused the ministers of preaching only The Covenant of Works, which is an accusation that assaulted the heart of the Puritan Beliefs, that faith mattered most.
During the Puritan times gender roles in the society were very anti-feminist. Women were required to act as housewives and do womanly duties such as cook, clean, and take care of their children. Women had very little freedom as far as their rights were concerned also. Puritan writers, Anne Bradstreet and Mary Rowlandson both experienced the struggle of the anti-feminist movement. From their writings we see that they both were against anti-feminism and they tried their best to abandon the whole idea.
Anne Bradstreet and Mary Rowlandson, two women who had strong religious beliefs. Their strong religious beliefs made them to survive the struggles that they endured in their lives. Anne Bradstreet struggled with her faith and her acceptance as a writer in Puritan society. Mary Rowlandson struggled in captivity where she was taken hostage with her ailing daughter by the Indians. Both these women overcame their difficulties through their beliefs to God.