Mary Rowlandson

captivity narrative
began with Mary Rowlandson

detailed the horrific conditions of an individual being held hostage by a hostile community

account of the manifestation of God's will toward man
Hostages saw themselves at the mercy of God because of their sins

First female author to write about her captivity by the native americans

took Mary, her three children, and twenty other people captive for 83 days

forced to travel some 150 miles on foot along with her captors

Indian gave her a copy of a stolen bible which provide her comfort in the ordeal

Released for 20 pounds ransom at Mt. Wachusett

within the next seven years wrote her narrative
Published in 1682

First and finest North american captivity narratives, which was popular

Very clear and vivid descriptions of the places and her captors

since then, Over 30 editions have been published and used in classrooms

Upcoming

• Michael Wigglesworth "From The Day of Doom"
• Edward Taylor selected poetry on pages 303-307