A Comparison And Contrast Of The Supernaturals Active Role In The Lives Of Mary

Term Paper Title	A Comparison And Contrast Of The Supernaturals Active Role In The Lives Of Mary
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# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	3.54

A Comparison and Contrast of the Supernatural's Active Role in the Lives of Mary
Rowlandson and Benjamin Franklin

     The literature written during this time period reflects the important
part the supernatural (God) played during those changing times. The new world
was struggling for a new identity.  Were these individuals also defining the
role of God to themselves?
     In the preceding discussion the lives of Mary Rowlandson and Benjamin
Franklin will be discussed.  Each wrote a narrative of their life experiences.
There are marked contrasts and comparisons between these two individuals related
to their perceptions of God.
     Religion was a vital part of life in colonial America. A shift from
theism to deism was occurring. The Puritans of this time were fleeing the Church
of England. Their hope was to return to the more primitive ways, to reject the
churches hierarchy and  ritual.
     Mary Rowlandson, a puritan in Lancaster, Massachusetts was captured by
Indians, along with three of her children in the year 1676.  In her narrative
she relates the story of her survival in the wilderness for a period of three
months. She is taken away from her home and husband, "all was gone (except my
life); and I knew not but the next moment that might go too" (127).
     Benjamin Franklin's The Autobiography is an account of his life and begins
with his boyhood life in Boston. He later flees to Philadelphia to escape his
brother's rule over him. He relates how he was "dirty", "fatigu'd", and "Want of
Rest" (222).
     In these depictions we can see an analogy. These individuals are removed
from their homes and families. Although Benjamin Franklin's removal was of his
own free will.  They each suffered as they no longer had the comforts of which
they were accustomed.
     Rowlandson's faith was remarkable considering all that she endured.
Through out the narrative she must rely on her faith in God.  She incorporates
numerous verses from the Bible to offer explanations for all that she has
suffered, "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine
heart: wait, I say on the Lord" (129). It is also noted that she was able to use
her trade to survive, "knitting a pair of white cotton stockings for my
mistress"(130). This is also a parallel to Franklin in that he also used his
trade to survive. But one must ask what is motivating Rowlandson? Is she writing
for posterity or is she merely egocentric? Rowlandson has depicted herself as
the ultimate Puritan.  Was the glory to God or to herself? She also relates here
"how many Sabbaths I had lost and misspent" (128). It is interesting to note
that toward the end of the narrative she begins to see that her fate is in God's
hands, "When thou pa...

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