The Puritan Literary Tradition

This comprehensive study offers a fresh examination of how Puritan literary expression evolved beyond religious doctrine to become a distinct cultural force. Johanna Harris assembles groundbreaking research that spans political polemics, conversion narratives, and transatlantic writings, challenging conventional boundaries between sacred and secular Puritan output. The book meticulously traces how Puritan literature emerged as an identifiable tradition separate from purely theological works, exploring everything from performance arts to colonial writings. Readers will discover how these diverse forms—from personal spiritual accounts to corporate documents—collectively shaped what we now recognize as Puritan literary heritage.

What distinguishes this volume is its interdisciplinary approach that connects seemingly disparate elements into a coherent literary tradition. Harris demonstrates how conversion narratives influenced political writing and how New World experiences reshaped Old World literary forms, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected genres. The book proves particularly valuable for students of early American literature and scholars seeking to understand the complex relationship between religious expression and literary development. By illuminating these connections, the work fundamentally reshapes our understanding of how Puritan writing functioned as both spiritual practice and literary art form.