The samples of Native Americans literature in this unit reveal the depth and
power of those original American voices.
"In Adam's Fall/We Sinned All"
Just as religion dominated the lives of the Puritans, it also dominated their writings
-- most of which would not be considered literary works by modern standards.
Typically, the Puritans wrote theological studies, hymns, histories, biographies,
and autobiographies.
The purpose of such writing was to provide spiritual insight and instruction.
When Puritans wrote for themselves in journals or diaries,
their aim was the serious kind of self-examination they practiced in other aspects
of their lives.
The Puritans produced neither fiction nor drama because they regarded both as sinful.