Thomas Morton

The New English Canaan of Thomas Morton with Introductory Matter and Notes (eBook, ePUB)

A Bold Exploration of Colonial Encounters and Cultural Differences
Redaktion: Adams, Charles Francis

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In "The New English Canaan," Thomas Morton presents a rich tapestry of narrative blending personal memoir and socio-political commentary set in the early 17th-century New England. Written in an engaging yet polemical style, the text serves as a counter-narrative to the Puritanical doctrines dominating the region. Morton chronicles his experiences and observations during the establishment of Merrymount, a settlement characterized by its communal and libertine spirit, challenging the moral rigidity of Plymouth Colony. Through vibrant descriptions and sharp debate, Morton critiques the cultural and religious hegemony of the Puritans, laying bare the complexities of colonial life in an era marked by religious conflict and the search for personal freedom. Thomas Morton, an Englishman and a contemporary of the Pilgrims, was instrumental in highlighting the clash between European settlers and Native American cultures. Having faced banishment from the Puritan community in Plymouth, his own experiences of alienation fueled his passionate defense of freedom and diversity in thought and lifestyle. Morton's background as a well-educated lawyer and adventurer informed his critical perspective on the moral absolutism of his peers, embedding his work within the broader context of Enlightenment thinking. "The New English Canaan" is a compelling read that invites contemporary readers to reflect on themes of liberty, cultural identity, and the complexities of colonialism in America. Scholars and general readers alike will benefit from Morton's unique voice, which challenges dominant historical narratives and celebrates the spirit of diversity and inquiry paramount to the American experience.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Good Press
• Seitenzahl: 869
• Erscheinungstermin: 19. November 2019
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 4057664127150
• Artikelnr.: 58437091

Autorenporträt

Thomas Morton (c. 1579-1647) was an English lawyer, writer, and social reformer whose unconventional lifestyle and literature sparked controversy in the early American colonies. Known for his legal expertise and literary acuity, Morton's best-known work is the 'The New English Canaan,' a unique blend of ethnography, personal narrative, and biting satire that critiques the Puritan colonization of New England. Morton, with his liberal views and open embracement of Native American culture, posed as a direct antithesis to the Puritan ethos. His writings offer insightful observations of the Algonquian peoples and a rare counter-narrative to the predominant Puritan perspective in early colonial literature. In 'The New English Canaan,' Morton not only documents the abundant resources of the New World but also condemns the draconian measures of the Puritan settlers, which puts his work in a distinctively critical light compared to his contemporaries' publications. His literary style often employed humor and irony, which led him to both literary prominence and legal persecution. Morton's tenacious critique of Puritanism earned him notoriety, exile, and an enduring legacy in the tapestry of American literature, framing him as an early advocate for plurality and cultural discourse in colonial America. While historical scholars continue to analyze his work for its rich descriptions and pointed social commentary, Morton's 'The New English Canaan' remains a seminal work for understanding the complexities of early colonial relationships and ideological conflict (Adams, 1982; Dempsey, 2009).