Author William Bradford was a man who played several roles in colonial America: Pilgrim, governor, and historian. A native of Yorkshire, England, Bradford joined the Separatist movement while a teenager. After enduring religious persecution, he and other Pilgrims (a name Bradford gave his Separatist group) eventually immigrated to America on the Mayflower in 1620. As a leader of Plymouth Colony, Bradford served off and on as governor for thirty years. Bradford is best known for his two-book series Of Plymouth Plantation, written 1630-1650, documenting the early years of Plymouth Colony. Several poems and dialogues aimed at teaching younger generations characterized his later writing. Bradford’s writings are significant in American Literature …show more content…
God’s Providence and putting His chosen people through trials are themes found in Rowlandson’s account of her captivity during King Philip’s War. While Bradford’s book tells of the initial treaty with Native Americans and its benefits to Plymouth, he also recounts unscrupulous people selling the guns and liquor to Native Americans, causing fear in the community. Conversely, by the time of Rowlandson’s capture, relationships between whites and Native Americans had deteriorated with colonial expansion. Rowlandson also shares a similar style of writing to Bradford’s in her use of plain language to describe places and events.
William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation stands out as an outstanding example of colonial literature. His account gives readers a glimpse at settlers’ fears, hopes and sense of purpose. Moreover, belief in God’s Providence and importance of community are apparent throughout his account. Bradford tells the history of the Plymouth Colony in a plain, no nonsense, style which reflects Puritan values. Furthermore, his influence as an author shows in the themes and writing style of later writers like Mary