Comparing Against Quarrelling And Fighting By Isaac Watts

As children obtain their education through manuals and the Bible, there is little to no fun to be had while reading. This changes considerably during the Puritan period, with writers melding recreation and religion in order to produce writings that entice children while teaching them as a lesson. As studied in texts such as “The Children in the Wood” and “Against Quarrelling and Fighting” by Isaac Watts, the mature topic of violence is introduced to children openly. Faith is central to the Puritans in educating their children and their literature presents multiple forms of violence; it teaches their youth that it is not limited to just the physical sense; there is also emotional and mental violence, thus instilling morals and knowing to fear …show more content…
The first text, “Against Quarrelling and Fighting” by Isaac Watts, is short but precise in its explanation of what physical violence is. It is a negative trait, one that is undesirable to humans and pushed as an animalistic quality. Accordingly, “Against Quarrelling and Fighting” opens with the lines “Let dogs delight to bark and bite / For God hath made them so / Let bears and lions growl and fight, For tis their nature too” (1-4). Immediately, these actions are compared to the behaviour of aggressive animals. In this sense, physical violence is shown as an animalistic thing, but it also touches briefly on the issue of verbal violence: “And all your words be mild;” (10). While it is not written as openly, it is still possible to infer the importance of maintaining conduct while speaking. In comparison, “The Children in the Wood” focuses on the emotional aspect of violence. While it is still geared for children, it is graphic, with themes of death and abuse. Violence reaches its peak when the children are left alone in a remote location to …show more content…
It is their basis in deciding what is right, and the steadfast presence of God, even in children’s literature, lies in the fact that they need to become familiar with religion from a young age. Due to their short lifespans, not even childhood is an excuse not to know God (Evans, Heather). Violence and morality in “The Children in the Wood” and “Against Quarrelling and Fighting” rely heavily on what God wants in order to deliver their message. The Puritans’ attitude about theology reveals itself through how God can be a device in teaching children. Religion is the reward for children who are not violent, as seen in “Against Quarrelling and