Dunton, John. Letters from New England. Boston: Prince Society, 1877. Print.
John Dunton was an English book seller who traveled to New England for 8 months in the late 17th century. He details his experiences through a series of letters to his friends and family members. I am hoping to analyze Dunton's account of the English Settlers in the New World, especially in relation to religion.
Moore, Cecil Albert. John Dunton: Pietist and Impostor. Chapel Hill: UP, 1925. Print.
A secondary source which gives some background on John Dunton, as well as, his other works. This is going help me understand more about him as an author, as Moore, analyzed his works as a whole.
Bucholz, R. O., and Newton Key. Early Modern England, 1485-1714: a Narrative History. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub., 2004. Print. This book covers 16th and 17th century England.
It discusses the religious, social, economic, and political happenings of those centuries. I am using it to help me contextualize my primary source author, John Dunton. In addition, I want to use it to compare the religious and hierarchical nature of late 17th century England to that of the English settlers in America.
Bray, Thomas. A Memorial, Representing the Present State of Religion, on the Continent of North-America By Thomas Bray, D.D. London: Printed by John Brudenell, for the Author, 1701. Print.
This an a account written to a Clergyman in England for the purpose of detailing how Religion was operating in North America. I am hoping to use this account by someone connected to Clergy of England in 1701 to compare to John Dunton's account. The goal being to notice if Dunton's account is unique, different or relatively similar to the official opinion at the time.
Lippy, Charles H. Introducing American Religion. London: Routledge, 2009. Print.
I am using this secondary source to investigate what religion was actually like in the English colonies during the 17th century. This gives me background on the religious nature of the settlers, the laws that went along with it, and the changes that were occurring during this time.
Hulme, Peter, and Tim Youngs. The Cambridge Companion to Travel Writing. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge UP, 2002. Print.
I am using William H. Sherman's chapter on English travel writers to analyze Dunton's writing style and motives for writing. Pointing out the uniqueness of his style of writing as a book seller, compared to the other types of writers(scientists, explorers, etc).
Hi Mackenzie, It looks like you already have a pretty clear thread for your paper, which is great! My impression: you're thinking of discussing Dunton's writing style as it is distinguished during the period and how it reflects on his motives for writing? I see you have a few sources discussing the religious context around him. Does that mean you anticipate that his writing was motivated by differences in his religious beliefs compared to those around him? Or does the religion of the time help to explain him?
ReplyDeleteHey, something funny's going on with your font color! Anyway, I think you have a good balance of primary and secondary sources, although I'm sure there's a lot more articles on religion in England during that period. Jstor is always a great resource!
ReplyDeleteYou have a good range of sources here, and the only thing I might suggest adding is another secondary source on religion in the American colonies, one that is more specific or has material not already present in Lippy.
ReplyDeleteHaving a perfunctory knowledge on the subject of Pilgrim reasons for coming to America, one seems to have been religious freedom. Many practices/beliefs seem to have been curtailed in England and they sought a new land to practice freely. So with these fundamental differences in mindset/approach, I wonder how Dunton (an Englishman) will evaluate these Americans? Can he objectively describe them or will his background shade his observations? Therefore, I agree with Alice that maybe getting another secondary source on religion in the American colonies would be helpful.
ReplyDeleteI have a question: what were Dunton's own religious beliefs? I think knowing this is essential to your paper which treats American religion from the perspective of an Englishman. Otherwise, good job with your preliminary research.
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