Mary Rowlandson’s narrative maintains a flow of three themes: God’s Judgement, God’s Mercy, and God’s Providence towards Thine Enemies. This is her account of being an Indian hostage. Though her tale is harrowing, it is riddled with proclamations of faith. These three themes are interwoven to make up the tapestry of her narrative; which she hopes will convert others to Christianity.
First is God’s Judgment. Rowlandson speaks of her sins that have earned her the affliction she suffered through. An example that she provides is not honoring the Sabbath. “Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you. For whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people” (EXODUS 31:16 KJV). Rowlandson’s soul was …show more content…
Almost every paragraph has an account of God’s mercy toward her, and it was usually accompanied by a scripture. In every aspect of her ordeal, Rowlandson saw a glimpse of mercy. Throughout her account, Rowlandson suffered from malnourishment and extreme fatigue due to constant work and travel. “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee” (ISAIAH 43:2 KJV). She repeatedly quoted this scripture not only because of the rivers and streams she had to cross, but due to the overwhelming anxiety as well. It is also seen as a mercy when God took away her addiction to tobacco. Rowlandson stated, “For though I had formerly used Tobacco, yet I had left it ever since I was first taken” (Perkins 80). This could be seen as a double mercy. First, she did not suffer any withdrawal symptoms associated with a tobacco addiction. Second, the tobacco that was sent from her husband, she was able to sell for food and necessities. Other mercies that Rowlandson described were the many times the Indians provided her with food. No matter how small the offering, she expresses her gratefulness. “Tell the World what a blessing the Lord gave to such mean food” (Perkins 85). The greatest mercy that was shown to her was when her family was finally restored. “Thus hath the Lord brought me and mine out of that horrible pit, and hath set us in the midst of tender-hearted and …show more content…
Rowlandson was amazed at the many occasions the Indians were preserved. Through times of combat with the English, through treacherous travel, and through times of famine, God seemed to preserve her enemies. “I can but admire to see the wonderfull providence of God in preserving the heathen for farther affliction to our poor Countrey” (Perkins 93). The Indians were seen as a tool to be used to chastise the English, with the ultimate goal of reconciliation between them and
First is God’s Judgment. Rowlandson speaks of her sins that have earned her the affliction she suffered through. An example that she provides is not honoring the Sabbath. “Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you. For whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people” (EXODUS 31:16 KJV). Rowlandson’s soul was …show more content…
Almost every paragraph has an account of God’s mercy toward her, and it was usually accompanied by a scripture. In every aspect of her ordeal, Rowlandson saw a glimpse of mercy. Throughout her account, Rowlandson suffered from malnourishment and extreme fatigue due to constant work and travel. “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee” (ISAIAH 43:2 KJV). She repeatedly quoted this scripture not only because of the rivers and streams she had to cross, but due to the overwhelming anxiety as well. It is also seen as a mercy when God took away her addiction to tobacco. Rowlandson stated, “For though I had formerly used Tobacco, yet I had left it ever since I was first taken” (Perkins 80). This could be seen as a double mercy. First, she did not suffer any withdrawal symptoms associated with a tobacco addiction. Second, the tobacco that was sent from her husband, she was able to sell for food and necessities. Other mercies that Rowlandson described were the many times the Indians provided her with food. No matter how small the offering, she expresses her gratefulness. “Tell the World what a blessing the Lord gave to such mean food” (Perkins 85). The greatest mercy that was shown to her was when her family was finally restored. “Thus hath the Lord brought me and mine out of that horrible pit, and hath set us in the midst of tender-hearted and …show more content…
Rowlandson was amazed at the many occasions the Indians were preserved. Through times of combat with the English, through treacherous travel, and through times of famine, God seemed to preserve her enemies. “I can but admire to see the wonderfull providence of God in preserving the heathen for farther affliction to our poor Countrey” (Perkins 93). The Indians were seen as a tool to be used to chastise the English, with the ultimate goal of reconciliation between them and