ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Puritans used writing to explore their inner and outer lives for signs of the workings of God. Diaries and histories were the most common forms of expression in Puritan society; in them writers described the workings of God. Puritans favored a plain style, similar to that of the Geneva Bible.

Detailed explanation-2: -Puritans didn’t believe in writing for entertainment; rather, they thought of writing as a tool to reach people with the story of God. Works focused on realistic messages illustrating the idea that everyone was born a sinner and that his or her salvation had been pre-determined, a concept known as predestination.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Puritans believed God had chosen a few people, “the elect, ” for salvation. The rest of humanity was condemned to eternal damnation. But no one really knew if he or she was saved or damned; Puritans lived in a constant state of spiritual anxiety, searching for signs of God’s favor or anger.

Detailed explanation-4: -Puritans’ religious beliefs affected their lives on all levels, and their writing illustrated their religion’s values, such as the importance of the church and the influence of God in their lives. Writing often became instructive, teaching Christian values.

Detailed explanation-5: -Both Pilgrims and Puritans wrote poetry, sermons, diaries, and autobiographies. Many of them were literate, including women.