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Narrative Of The Captivity Mary Rowlandson Summary

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Mary Rowlandson’s “Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Rowlandson,” is one of the most known narratives of her era. In the time period that this narrative was written, a female publishing her story, especially an autobiography of her experiences on being captive is not common. An Englishwoman, mother of three children, has her home invaded in Lancaster, Massachusetts by Wampanoag Indians during King Phillip’s War in 1676. She writes in first person perspective describing how she felt at the time of her capture. During her 11-week capture, she described her experiences with the “Indians,” by giving us insight on how she feels during and after her captivity. Her puritan beliefs have helped her cope with the cruelty of her capture …show more content…

While describing the events, she starts comparing the Christians and Indians, “like a company of sheep torn by wolves”(5). Puritans, such as Rowlandson, believe that there’s a God’s will and they are all-knowing. Ever since the start of her narrative, Rowlandson has been crediting God for every positive event that she has encountered. “Travel with them into the vast and desolate wilderness… I knew not whither… bitterness of my spirit that I had at this departure: but God was with me in a wonderful manner, carrying me along, and bearing up my spirit…” (8). This is an example of how Rowlandson credits God when something positive happens. In her Puritant culture, it is quite common to believe God will punish and reward those who committed sins and are of the religion. Another situation is when she took oaken leaves to cure her wound. “He took oaken leaves and laid to his …show more content…

Through her experience, Rowlandson described her events with scriptures from the Bible. She finds comfort and support in order to move on. “The Lord helped me still to go on reading till I came to Chap. 30, the seven first verses, where I found, there was mercy promised again” (14-15). This certain script helped her move on her destination with the Wampanoag Indians. When she lost her will to move on, she began reading the scriptures of the Bible in a way to guide herself. ‘’Wait on the Lord, Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine Heart, wait I say on the Lord"

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