The Role Of Individualism In Edmund S. Morgan's The Puritan Dilemma

Edmund S. Morgan was a biographer that sought to explain the complexities of Puritan society(1628-1680 ). His book, The Puritan Dilemma; The Story of John Winthrop gives the reader insight as to where American exceptionalism comes from-by discussing the threats the Puritans faced towards their communal ideas. Edmund S. Morgan boundlessly talks about the Puritan paradox of individualism and how it affected their society. In order to understand this paradox one must understand where the Puritans came from. According to Dr. Harris, the “Puritans were a religious group of British men and women that were the product of the Reformation.” They fled England for their own religious freedom, in order to establish a society that they hoped would become " a kingdom of God on Earth.” Notably, the type of society they sought to create was the essence of their existence. …show more content…
In order to make their society work, it is clearly stated that the Puritans had to "work together in order to attain the end of their coming.” This meant that that in order to attain their goal each individual had to follow the laws of God.This idea is the direct implication of an arminian society. As long as this society followed arminian doctrine (“as long as everyone followed the same laws” ), they would find salvation. Therefore, one can conclude that their "Kingdom of God” would flourish. The problem was that if any individual spoke out against this core belief they would be threatening the Puritan