In historical accounts the first American stories derived from Puritan writings. Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford is important literature because it tells the story of immigrants, which is still common today. The American dream, American government, American values, and American ideologies were based on the Puritans beliefs and the struggles they went through for the American Dream. Convincing future generations of the struggles and achievements of Puritans was the purpose of William Bradford for writing Of Plymouth Plantation.
In Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford, the theme of religion implies how God can help people overcome tough obstacles if people keep faith in him. William Bradford revealed how Puritans could overcome obstacles in many quotes in this story. “Being thus arrived in good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth… is just one quote that revealed how the Puritans looked to God to overcome these obstacles (30-31). Many believed that all the obstacles were all to Gods will and everything was happening for a reason. Believing that everything was to Gods will made it easier to except all their misfortunes of all the events happening in America. God affected everyone in a different way. In spite of all the obstacles getting in the Puritans way many still believed. John Howland believed that when he was thrown overboard he survived only because God proves this when Bradford writes, . .. but it pleased God that he caught hold of the topsail halyards which hung overboard and ran out at length” (30). Howland believed that it was God’s will that he catches the rope and it pleased God that he did. For that reason Howland became religious. God was the reason for many of the things going on. When everyone became ill and the sailors did not care to help, Bradford wrote, . “.. if they die, let them die… ” (32). Many who cared for the ill remained safe and unharmed because of God who spared their lives.
Consequently the sailors who did not care for the ill became very ill and died themselves. God spared all those who were selfless and helped others and that’s what they believed. God made everyone safe and the Puritans believed that. The Puritans overcame many challenges whether on land or sea based on solid faith in God. By making it to Cape Harbor safely after the terrible storm made the Puritans first believe that God was helping them overcome these obstacles.
John Howland believed that God was helping everyone when God saved him when he was thrown overboard. The Puritans believed that the only reason they were spared was because they cared for the ill and were selfless while the sailors did not and they suffered by dying from the horrible disease. The importance of reading about the Puritans obstacles and how God helped them through everything is understanding how the American dream was derived from their experiences.
