The+Wordy+Shipmates+-+6th

= = =Week 5 =
 * = **Day of Discussion** ||= **Date to complete reading:** ||= **Read the following pages:** ||
 * = Friday ||= 11/19 ||= 1-34 ||
 * = Tuesday ||= 11/23 ||= 35-79 ||
 * = Thursday ||= 12/2 ||= 80-115 ||
 * = Friday ||= 12/10 ||= 116-152 ||
 * = Friday ||= 12/17 ||= 153-196 ||
 * = Friday ||= 1/7 ||= 198-248 ||

Group member #1- Jordan M.
﻿1) Using pages 153-155, 161, 170, and others, How are the cultures between the natives and the European colonists different? the same? Different: Similar:
 * natives worship many gods
 * Colonists have different morals compared to the natives. The natives wanted to spare the women and children colonists killed them all.
 * native society is mellow and more representative of a city upon a hill
 * way the natives treat their guests--> they are more hospitable p.117, p.154
 * both interpret their luck from the deities
 * p.170 (at bottom) both have competition

2) Should the Indians consider Williams a friend why or why not? p. 175-176 Yes: No:
 * made an effort to understand him with his language dictionary
 * respects the language
 * made allies with them
 * spied on the Pequots (their enemies)
 * tried to change them by converting them to Christianity
 * Williams says he's not patient

3) p.180-181 Is this behavior "City upon a hill like", why do you think Winthrop is going against his beliefs?
 * took beliefs to far--> p.194 under Gods duty to kill them

4)What was life like for the Indian women? Does this reflect other cultures? p. 157-158 Puritan culture respectful of women--> winthrop wrote to his wife
 * isolating
 * did the hard work
 * worse for women

Group member #2- CharlotteM.

 * ~ Word/Phrase ||~ Page#, Paragraph #, Line # ||~ Analysis/Questions ||
 * < pejorative ||< 152, 2, 10 ||< "expressing contempt or approval" ||
 * < victuals ||< 154, 3, 2 ||< "food or provisions,typically as prepared for consumptions" ||
 * < "Thus, imposing Christianity on American Indians (or anyone else) is, to Williams ( and, according to Williams, Jesus) a rape of the soul." ||< 160, 1, 11 ||< Here Vowell is saying that Christians. like Williams, want to spread their through choice. Yet the quote says that one must choose to switch over to Christianity, otherwise it is harmful. I wonder why the Puritans believed this if they basically tried to convert everyone to Christianity. ||
 * "To the English, they are fighting the devil himself and his earthly representatives." || 180, 3, 4 || This wording leads me to believe that the English really don't care what/ who they are fighting at this point. Just because the indians are now "the devil" the Puritans make it in to such a big deal. Had they just left it at the Pequot's killing an old drunk, they wouldn't make this in to such a big battle. I wonder what made them make such a huge leap from a battle to a battle with the devil. ||

Group member #3- Kristine O.
This weeks reading focused on the relationships between the Native Americans and the settlers. It begins with Roger Williams' //A Key,//which was an English-Native American dictionary. Williams' bias was heavily present in the dictionary with his poems and several phrases as, "There is only one God. You are mistaken." The section continues on with the Pequot War. The Narragansett and Mohegan tribes ally with the English against the Pequot. Although previously banished, Williams becomes a translator and spy for the English. The war began with the Dutch trading with many English tribes. When the Pequots (one of the tribes) found out about this, they murdered many indians the Dutch had traded with. The Dutch retalliate, but when the Pequots try to retalliate back they mistakenly kill an Englishman. A violent war results and eventually ends with the burning of the Pequot tribe. The English are happy, but their Native American comrades disapprove of their vicious tactics.

Group member #4- Helen J.
"The //New York Times// reported that nine protestors attended the rededication ceremony: "No Hero,' said one sign; 'Remember the Pequot Massacres,' said another."

= = =Week 4 =

** Group member #1- CharlotteM. **
<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">❖ On page 117 it says, “But behind the politeness of that line, ‘we ought not to accept him,’ Winthrop reveals himself” “…left with a recipe for gun powder.” From this quote, do you think John Winthrop is truly a polite person or is this foreshadowing some bad actions of his in his future? Explain your reasoning with textual evidence.
 * This does foreshadow some bad actions on Winthrop's future because Vowell includes the quote saying, "we ought not to accept him." It is the evidence for how there were views against him. The phrase "pussy-footing pragmatist" Vowell uses gives away her hint for the future. Since we discussed about this question after reading what happens, we already knew that this was a big part of Winthrop's actions.

<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">❖ On page 127 it says, “ William’s greatness lies in his refusal to keep his head down in a society that prizes nothing more than harmony and group think. He cares more about truth than popularity and group think.” This sounds a lot like John Winthrop’s beliefs of wanting to do what is right. Yet why do you think Winthrop is made out to as the good guy in society and Williams isn’t? Compare and contrast the differences between Williams and Winthrop’s political views.
 * Pro-Winthrop: he led the colonists and brought them to the 'New World'
 * Considered as the "father" of puritans
 * Definitely not Williams because he is a very opinionated man, or it would be better said that he has a way different way to voice his opinion compared to Winthrop, and it just doesn't support what he tries to achieve.
 * cared more about Church than popularity (following Calvinist way)
 * This difference in the two's political views set Winthrop as the 'good guy' in society. However, they are ultimately similar to one another.

<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">❖ Roger Williams seems to be a very conflicted man on his decisions of law and family. For example he left Boston for Salem because he didn’t agree with the way they lived but then he returned. Also, on page 129 it says he shuts out his family yet on page 130 he comes running back when his wife is sick. Do you think William’s is conflicted because of his family or is there reason deeper? Why?

<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">❖ In this chapter, the court keeps letting Roger Williams re-think these views of church and state. Why do you think they do this instead of punishing him right away?
 * They never had any bad intentions, but wanted him to admit.

❖John Winthrop is acting very nice towards Roger Williams regardless of their different political views. Winthrop was the only judge to oppose William’s banishment (144) and on page 146 it says, “he must have a lingering soft spot for Williams,” Why do you think this is?

❖In the section we read this week, the focus switched from John Winthrop to Roger Williams. Do you think Vowell did this on purpose? If so why? Explain your answer.

❖After reading this section, do you think that Vowell is now more on the side of Roger Williams or is she still favoring John Winthrop? Why? Explain your reasoning.

** Group member #2- KristineO. **

 * ~ Word/Phrase ||~ Page#, Paragraph #, Line # ||~ Analysis/Questions ||
 * < "[Winthrop] is . . . a pragmatist who will clap his own hand over Roger William's mouth and confiscate John Endecott's sword if it keeps from riling up King Charles" ||< 117, 3, 7 ||< Pragmatist: someone that asseses the truth of meaning of theories in terms of the success of their practical application

This quote really shows Vowell's tone throughout the novel. She puts the history in simpler terms that we can understand today.

It also displays Winthrop as a hard working leader, who did what he can to stay out of trouble. ||
 * < "Let's pause here and try to look past Williams's seemingly teenage behavior--past his tendency toward fussy abrasive theoligical scrutiny..." ||< 127, 1, 1 ||< Abrasive: harsh

Vowell again connects to the audience by comparing Roger Williams to a teenager, and describing him with several characteristics we associate with teenagers.

She uses this to contrast her next point; Williams believed in good things. ||
 * < "I find him hard to like, but easy to love." ||< 127, 1, 15 ||< This is where Vowell displays her view of Williams. The phrase is so simple, yet it completely captures her argument. It's also done in a way that is pertinent to the present (we can understand it). ||

** Group member #3- Helen Jang﻿ **
In this week's reading, Vowell goes over more of Winthrop's personal life, and connects them back to the issues later in history. She introduces Boston Tea Party, Lexington and Concord and Battle of Bunker Hill in Charlestown which are followed up by references to the Bible. The use of specific historical events and universal religious subject ultimately leads to Magna Carta and Charles'war with Spain. The focus shifts to Roger Williams who maintained a good relationship with Winthrop. Williams was also the one who pointed out the "national sin"of the colony for claiming the right to Indian lands, and Cotton argues against him. Williams, in the reading, is portrayed as a diligent and honest man since his teenage years. He cares about truth over many other honorable ideas, and supports the rights and harmony of his society. There also is a short passage about marital intercourse and how Cotton felt compassion for Mrs. Williams. Later on, direct quotes from the letters Winthrop and Williams sent each other are written, which includes their conversation about the debateon Massachusetts and John cotton.

**Group member #4-** ** Jordan M. ** -"They [Winthrop and Williams] personify what would become the fundamental conflict of American life-between public and private, between the body politic and the individual, between we the perople and each person's pursuit of happiness"(p. 128).
 * This section is about Roger Williams and his life in the town.Throughout the reading Vowell explains the relationship between Williams and Winthrop. They were very different in their beliefs but, as this quote explains, they both symbolize what ends up being the same thing. They represent the two extremes of being a polotician, the difference between the public life and the private life, and how to keep them seperated.

<span style="color: #ff00d1; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Week 3
What do you think were the gender roles in Boston? How does Vowell present Winthrop in this section? Is he too much of a controlling leader? Is he self-centered? Vowell discusses many issues the Puritans face, do you think these issues are important? Compare/contrast them with the issues we face today. On page 106, Winthrop accuses Dudley of "selling some corn to poor people at too steep a price". Do you think this is fair? The disagreements between Winthrop and Dudley and Cotton and Williams have both similarities and differences, what can you say about that? The Puritans were accused of "having turned to God as a tyrant"(110), what evidence can you find to support or refute this claim? Why do you think that John Winthrop invited Cotton to Boston? Did he have something to gain? (111) On page 115, Winthrop "tells on" Williams to Endecott. Why didn't he tell England, just as he did with Endecott? (115) -Liturgical 80-3-2 "Pertaining to or connected with public worship; having to do with liturgies or forms of public worship"
 * Group member #1 ﻿ - KristineO. **
 * There aren't really enough women, besides Margaret, Winthrop's wife.
 * Male dominated society
 * Women stayed at home
 * Winthrop thinks his wife is capable, he expects that she can do the same things he can
 * Loving relationships, Winthrop is not afraid to be emotional //Branching off//: he doesn't show his emotions with other people because of his well-respected position.
 * Selfish- he took the house next to the spring.
 * As the leader, he could watch over the spring and make everyone
 * He's a nice guy, but he's not perfect
 * Vowell doesn't explain if he's good or bad person
 * She makes him sound like a good guy--our protagonist
 * "Change" issues: it's hard for us to change--similarity
 * Conflicting religion: We still have this today. Example: Mosque near the twin towers. Book example (101): Williams turned down a teaching position because of his conflicting religion
 * Winthrop is caring and considerate
 * Relates to the idea of Winthrop being the father, and the town the children
 * Williams and Cotton had a big written argumentr
 * Group member #2 ﻿- HelenJ. **

-Vomitorium (To see a ship similar to the //Arbella//, ...to me is a claustrophobic floating vomitorium.." 84-2-3  "A room in which ancient Romans are alleged to have vomited deliberately during feasts"  This explains how Vowell has sea-sickness.

-Slovenly 87-2-4 "Careless or negligent in work of any kind"

-Reprimand 103-2-12 "A sharp rebuke, reproof, or censure, //esp.// one given by a person or body in authority"

In this weeks reading, Sarah Vowell talks about her trip to the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston. She goes to an exhibit where she reads through John Winthrop's journal. Within the journal, Winthrop has listed several necessary items that will board the ship with them, such as: oatmeal, wooden bowls, and instructions for building a chimney. Later on she describes the arrival of Roger Williams. Soon after he comes he is offered the high position as a teacher in the church. Williams declines because he did not want to affiliate with the type of people in the church. By declining, Williams was now viewed as annoying and picky. Vowell talks about the letters between Winthrop and his wife. Winthrop tells his wife that on a certain day at the appointed time they will think of each other. Finally when his wife Margaret and son John Jr. arrive, there is a big celebration for them. At the end Thomas Dudley, Winthrop's rival, becomes the new governor making Winthrop the deputy governor.
 * Group member #3 ﻿- JordanM. **


 * Group member #4 ﻿ ﻿- CharlotteM. **

"To his journal he explains his approach to Dudley this way: "To clear his reputation with those to whom the deputy has accused him, he was willing to give him satisfaction... that he might free himself of such jealous."' (107)

Our reading this week mainly focused on new changes happening to John Winthrop’s New England town. This quote sums up the section we read this week because it shows how John Winthrop was always portraying the better man in various situations. No matter what came his way, he always acted in a better light by not fighting back or he acted father like. John Winthrop was a very caring and considerate man who never tired to get even someone, regardless of a disagreement. Specifically from this weeks reading, Dudley was upset and jealous that Winthrop got re elected as town governor. Therefore, he said a bunch of ridiculous things that Winthrop was supposedly doing wrong. Instead of getting angry and start a rivalry with Dudley, Winthrop does nothing. He lets Dudley say what he wants about him because he knows Dudley is upset and just needed to vent. Thus this quote summarizes our reading this week because it shows how Winthrop played an important role in his New England town because he was so down to earth and thoughtfu l.

=**<span style="color: #ff7400; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Week 2 **=

1)What is the purpose of Winthrop's quotes on page 42~43 and what do they further convey from Vowell's comments? The quotes Vowell uses illustrates Winthrop's knowledge of the hardships Calvinists went through. Page 43 explains how Calvinists considered themselves as sinners, and gave themselves harder time in order to be aware of their religious beliefs.  These Calvinists were a part of Puritans.
 * Group Member #1 - HelenJ. **

2)What effect does the author talking about herself on page 51~ create? Does it support her argument? The passage evokes credibility of the author and ethos and pathos from the readers from expressing the insight about her views.  It supports her argument because the passage is ultimately what informs the readers of the reasoning behind her ideas.

3)What tone does Vowell use on page 59 when she is talking about Winthrop's "A model of Christian Charity"? Is it any different from any other parts? Vowell uses sarcastic tone: -especially since Vowell has a set view (almost bias) against Reagan. -people's impression on Winthrop's speech is half and half--cheer or threaten -shows the flaws and cover-ups -"forget about the old"

4)How does the quote on page 67 reflect Vowell's view of events? Any bias? Different perception? The quote built Vowell's fundamental thought that people can win the vote of everyone if they say something that everyone wants to hear. -only an evidence of her argument -sidenote: Winthrop and Reagan coincide.


 * Group Member #2 - JordanM. **
 * Key Word Choice and Vocabulary **

"Maybe that was the hill the city would be built on-a teetering stack of self-congratulatory biblical comparisons." 37-1-7 This statement goes back to the words of Winthrop when he says the Puritans should be like a city upon a hill. Throughout many speeches the Puritan leaders make, there are several underlying messages that suggest the Puritans are people sent by God to do good. The use of the word "teetering" implies that the Puritans have a shaky lifestyle ahead of them.

-weal 53-3-1 well-being, prosperity, or happiness

-gulags 54-2-17 the system of forced-labor camps in the Soviet Union

-xenophobia 56-2-6 an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange


 * Group Member #3 - CharlotteM. **
 * Reading Section Summary **

In the reading this week, Sarah Vowell started by talking about John Winthrop’s “A Model of Christianity” speech. This speech is about his high hopes and goals for their new settlement in America to be considered a city upon a hill. She states that Winthrop, being in charge of this new settlement, viewed faith as a promotion for himself socially as well as to better serve God. Winthrop also said that Puritans had a healthier and better life style than the Calvinists. Later, Vowell goes on to talk about how “A Model of Christianity” speech was used in more modern times. She says it applied to her and New Yorkers when they were dealing with the after math of 9/11. She also said that Ronald Reagan quoted the speech as an attempt to cover up his mistakes as president. At the end Vowell questions some of Winthrop’s actions. His original intent was to be a new independent example of civilization separate from England. Yet, many of his actions were following in suit with the British ways and he didn’t always follow through, as planned, with his rulings.

"This contradiction--between humility before god, and the egomania unleashed by being chosen by God--is true of both Winthrop and the colony of Massachusetts itself."
 * Group Member #4 - KristineO. **
 * Identifying the "Essential Quote" of the Section **

The main idea of this section was a comparison between the two different ways the idea of "a city upon a hill." Vowell displays the wrong way with Ronald Reagan, a conceited, egotistic way, where they are an all-American beacon of hope. The other way of interpreting it was as a warning. As a city upon a hill, the colony of Massachusetts would constantly be under the eye of God. The puritans considered the land in Massachusetts as a gift from God. If they did not honor it, they would be punished. With this quote, the internal debate shown between the puritans is displayed. They were chosen by God, they're happy about it, yet they cannot go too far with that happiness. Winthrop interpreted the city upon a hill in both of these ways, but just as the rest of the puritans, he struggled with his beliefs internally.

=<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Week 1 =


 * Group Member #1 - JordanM.**
 * Discussion Questions**

1) What is Vowell's view of the colonists moving and settling in America? use page numbers to support -p. 27 she argues that the Puritans did not just get up and leave  -in this way she seems to defend them stating that they struggled with the tough decision  -p.29 the Puritans started to question whether they should leave or not connects with p.27 and their tough decision  -p.3 Vowell thinks the Puritans decision to leave was a "dumb plan" they had the right intensions but it was poorly executed

2) What is Vowell's view of America/American society? -p.10 she believes that we "live in a world crawling with separatist"  -p.25 the Puritans thought they were helping the Native Americans by coming to America  -this is the view Americans have today: we are superior and can help even if no one needs help

3) According to Vowell, how do Americans learn history? -p.21 Americans learn history through propaganda  -p.13 "History is written by the writers." we have one side of the story and we learn history through the bias and view of the world that the writers have

4) In what way(s) does Vowell "speak" to the reader through the text? -states her opinion  -invokes the reader  -uses modern connections


 * Group Member #2 - CharlotteM.**
 * Key Word Choice and Vocabulary**

-“The only thing more dangerous than an idea is a belief.” 1-1-1 This sets up the premise of the book. It lets the reader know about what to expect. Later, while reading, you learn that the Puritans cause the natives pain and come to America because they were following their religious beliefs.

-Exodus 11-4-2 “A large departure of people, esp. emigrants.”

-“History is written by writers.” 13-3-1 I think this shows how the author is trying to teach the reader more than just “basic” propaganda history. She is going to tell you more than one side of the story. History has multiple accounts of the same action and she wants the reader to see all those sides, not just the one most commonly taught.

-Flummoxed 21-1-3 “Perplex greatly; bewilder”

-Diatribes 20-2-4 “A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or someone.”

-Cockamamie 20-3-1 “Ridiculous; implausible”

-“The most important reason I am concentrating on Winthrop and his shipmates in the 1630s is that the country I live in is haunted by the Puritans’ vision of themselves as God’s people, as a beacon of righteousness that others are to admire.” 24-3-1 Here the author is saying that no matter what people may say about the Puritans, they are America. They contributed a lot to this country and part of being American is being Puritan. Regardless of people’s views of Puritans, they need to be respected because without them our America wouldn’t be the same as it is today.


 * Group Member #3 - KristineO.**
 * Reading Section Summary**

Vowell begins the book by introducing Reverend John Cotton as he preaches to the Puritans before they leave England for America. He tells them they have to be obedient to God because he provided them with land. She describes the events leading up to their breaking away from the Church of England. The Puritans believed they were helping the Native Americans by setting examples of how to live. The Puritans wanted to reform the Church of England from the inside, and therefore were called nonseparatists. Along with Cotton, Vowell introduces John Winthrop, the Governor. On the ship ride to America, he preached one of the core beliefs of Puritanism, the idea that they were a city upon a hill. Vowell also discusses several stereotypes and misconceptions people have of the Puritans (usually originating from TV shows). After mentioning this, she argues that Americans are just like the Puritans because “we’re here to help—whether you want it or not.”


 * Group Member #4 - HelenJ.**
 * Identifying the "Essential Quote" of the Section**

"This book is about those Puritans who fall between the cracks of 1620 Plymouth and 1692 Salem, the ones who settled the Massachusetts Bay Colony and then Rhode Island during what came to be called the Great Migration" (23). This quote not only explains the main focus of the book but also directly introduces the readers to a new historical term. While the previous story she described was her ideas about specific factual events, the quote is what actually serves as the introduction of the whole book. Vowell goes on in her next paragraph, further defining the rest of the book--"I am concentrating primarily on the words written or spoken during the Great Migration era..." (23). The readers then know what to expect from the rest of the book, which is essential for anyone looking for information about puritans in a specific timeline.