Julie Borrego
English 48a
Journal for William Bradford

"Thus it please God to Vanquish their enemies, and give them deliverance..."


"All this while the Indians came skulking about them"



Summary: In this quote Bradford state that they are superior therefore God protected them.


While reading Bradford, what I noticed is that they never once gave thanks to the fact that the Natives saved their lives. They were not grateful once. They only give thanks to God, and this further reinforces their belief that they are superior than others and they are the chosen people.

I always knew that Thanks Giving was a hoax, but I never really had a chance to sit down and read how mistreated the Native Americans were.
The arrogance of the Whites to come to a country, that did belong to other people and claim it as their own is so very depressing and they too it over at times, very militantly

They were not humble in their invasion but believed that it was the Will of God. This is the good example of using religion to feel superior.

If God was a truly a loving God and loved all his children as it states in the Bible, why when two Football teams are praying for a win would he grant one team to win over the other.

Julie Borrego
English 48a
Journal for Anne Bradstreet


"I have had great experience of God's hearing my prayers and returning comfortable answers to me, either in granting the thing I prayed for, or else in satisfying my mind without."

"This was written in much sickness and weakness, and is very weakley and imperfectly done, but if you pick any benefit out of it, it is the mark which I aimed at."







Summary: I thought this line was so well written, that God does hot alway answer your prayers but he will help you realize that you didn't need them answered.

I found it interesting that in her letter to her children she did not, tell them how much she loved them just spoke of her religion and how to be a good christian. Her poetry was so much more filled with emotion than the letter she wrote her children on her death bed.


When I think of puritans I think of unhappy people not capable of smiling. They were afraid of all feelings and did not acknowledge them, but that is really all I knew of them or thought I knew.

Bradstreet opened my eyes to the puritans as people. Her poetry is beautiful and so very honest.

After I read Bradstreet, I was so surprised to read how much she loved her Husband and how honest she was regarding her fears of childbirth. I didn’t know that puritans even expressed their love.

Her poetry put a more of human perspective on puritan women for me. They had fears and hopes. Loved their children and husband.

But that is really all I can say, she wrote beautiful poetry. I have to say that it was not moving or filled me with emotion.

Julie Borrego
English 48a
Journal for Jonathan Edwards


"And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day where in Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open, and stand in calling and crying with a loud vice to poor sinner;..." (Norton 435)

"But yet, it was not long after my recovery, befor I fell again into my old ways of sin." (Norton 387)



Summary: The quote from Sinner in the Hands of An Angrey God is almost like a light at the end of the tunnel. After Edwards describes that everyone is headed for hell, you can at least save your self through Christ.

Ideas: I think how awful it might have been to have such guilty feeling over basic natural thoughts and Ideas. That if you sinned you would burn for eternity in hell. Edwards word remind me of going to church and feeling guilty for liking music, or wearing certain clothes. The ideas that I would not be in heaven and see my Grandmother again scared me.

I think for some people during the 1700’s needed religion to help them make sense of all that they encountered and endured. That needed to find excuses for why things happened to people and excused for their actions as well, to place everything in a nice little package at state it is the way of God, can help people survive and keep on going.

Also to have hope that you would one day have no suffering in a world that is so unpredictable and full of pain, death and suffering. Would help people also endure and have hope for something.

So in someways I understand the need for religion, but then I don’t understand the need to make people feel bad for every little thing.

Julie Borrego
Eng 48A
Journal for Thomas Jefferson

"Determined to keep open a market where men should be bought and sold." (Jefferson)

"The appointment of a woman to office is an innovation for which the public is not prepared, nor I." (Jefferson)


Summary:

I found this quote to be interesting, because Jefferson was blaming Brittan for Americans insatiable appetite for slaves. As if they were the drug dealers providing drugs to junkies. It amused me that he by-passed American responsibility and placed in solely on Brittan.

My Ideas:

I feel that Jefferson admired Paine, but just really could not achieve the Enlightenment that Paine accomplished he missed the mark. Paine was like the older Brother, who accomplished bigger and better things.

It is interesting how twisted Jefferson was on slavery and how it is documented in his letters as well. He was honest about his confusion. He knew he was a hypocrite but could not find his way out and above slavery. I feel he truly aspired to live by his Ideals, but stopped short when it came to Native Americans, Women and Slaves.

And now I go back to the drug analogy, slavery was like heroin for Jefferson, he needed it, enjoyed it, but knew it was wrong. He continually needed to purchase more slaves to feed his habit (Taking care of his plantation). It was a tangled web that he wove, and just could not find his way out.

It is hard for me to admire Jefferson now as the author of our Declaration of the United States of America, because he was a slave owner and with that knowledge I view the Declaration differently, it was not written for all men, just White landowners.

Julie Borrego
English 48A
Journal for Paine

“The Reformation was preceded by the discovery of America: as if the Almighty graciously meant to open a sanctuary to the persecuted in future years when home should afford neither friendship nor safety.” (Norton 634)

"I have always regarded Paine as one of the greatest of all Americans. Never have we had a sounder intelligence in this republic . . ."(Thomas Edison)


Summary: This quote stood out to me, that America was a place where people cold escape to and not be persecuted for their beliefs. They ran away from the “Parent”so they could express their Religious beliefs.

My Idea: When I read Common Sense I think at times it slips people minds that this country first was a refuge for those who were being persecuted for their beliefs. That people were searching for tolerance and acceptance so they too could find a place to call home.

Also I was amazed with his use of words and how in less than 5 or 6 paragraphs, Paine was able to get his point across and appeal to all types of people; when he discussed, trade, religion and war. He also answered the question to the masses asking themselves, "why should I care about this?" He answered by explaining why one shouldn’t be complacent, lazy, hold out hope, or be a coward. This was written so passionately pulling at the emotions of the reader that I was ready to pick up my arms, for a revolution. This struck me as odd until I realized that his words are timeless and appeal to our politics of present day. The Message as it seems in its content is very political, but also, it is philosophical, standing up to injustice and righting the wrongs, a very Idealistic view…that I feel that America is very much based on.

Also I am a bit ashamed to admit this but, I was not aware of his influence on our country, and how he shaped our American political system today. It does sadden me because of his religious beliefs that he was shoved under the rug like a dirty secret, the irony when our country was to be a refuge for people searching for religious freedom.

Julie Borrego
English 48A
Journal for Wheatley



"Some view our sable race with scornful eye.
"Their color is a diabolic dye."
Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,
May be refined, and join the angelic train."(Norton p 753)


"...she, in sixteen Months Time from her Arrival, attained the English Language, to which she was an utter Stranger before, to such a Degree, as to read any, the most difficult Parts of the Sacred Writings, to the great Astonishment of all who heard her. As to her WRITING, her own Curiosity led her to it; and this she learnt in so short a Time..." (A testimony by John Wheatley, regarding the authenticity of Phillis Wheatley's peoms.)

Summary:


This quote was taken from “On being brought from Africa To America”. In these particular lines you can see where Wheatley has stepped into another character, she is now the voice of white slave owners, uttering their thoughts on Africans, but in the last line she steps back into character, making sure to remind people that African Americans are God’s children also.


My Ideas:

Some critic’s feel that Wheatley had become so immersed by white culture that her poems do not reflect a true African slaves voice. However, I feel as you read her poetry and especially in “On being brought from Africa To America”, you can hear her protest as subtle as it may be. Wheatley was very aware of who her audience was and did not want to isolate herself from them. (Reminds me of Lincoln…how he was fist a politician and then second an abolitionist). I feel that Wheatley's poems and the lack of in your face protest was a result of her being a slave. She could not truly speak her mind in fear of loosing the only support system that she had ever known. So she wrote about religion something that most Europeans could agree on and find a connection within her poetry.

I loved her poems, although not being the most religious person her words painted a beautiful picture in my mind. Some people might think them fluff, but one can tell that she carefully chose each world to ignite certain emotions when reading.

The fact that she was so young, and this was her second language is inspirational.

I feel that regardless of her circumstances being better of then most slaves, having the opportunity to become educated, that she was still a slave and not truly given freedom to write what she may have wanted to. I wonder if she was not afraid of disturbing the status quo what she would write about, one thing I am sure of is that she would have written it eloquently.

Julie Borrego
English 48A
Journal for
Olaudah Equiano


"…I was quite over powered: neither of us could speak; but, for a considerable time, clung to each other in mutual embraces, unable to do any thing but weep"(680)

"Their money consisted of little white shells, the size of the finger nail. I was sold here for one hundred and seventy-two of them,..."(681)








Summary: Equiano is writing when he saw his sister for the last time. How they felt a sense of relief only to be torn apart again, never to see each other again.

My Ideas:

This narrative is so strait forward. I was impressed with the writing style as if I was sitting down with him at the kitchen table and Equiano was telling me about his life story. The writing style is so down to earth but yet very thoughtful and intelligent. He made sure to write about his different experiences in slavery as a way to compare the two, letting the reader see the difference between, African Slavery and European Slavery. It may have just seemed like in the beginning that it was a run down of his life, but in fact he is building a case towards how European Slavery was one of the cruelest, with the life long indentured of the slaves children as well. He also is great detail describe the horrible conditions in which they imported slaves to the new world. I also could not get out of my head the thought of being suffocated by the stench of urine and feces, while they traveled in the haul of the boat. I couldn’t help but think that there is no way I could survived those circumstances and I would be one of those who tried to jump of the ship, because death would be better. The thought of being separated from your family at such a young age was painful for me to read. For children to be with out their mother or father is heartbreaking, for the children and the parent. To have returned to find your children are missing and you may never know where they have been sold. I do not feel that there is much of a difference between, African slavery and European, in the fact it is just cruel to take babies form their mothers.

Julie Borrego
English 48A
Journal for
William Apess

"Did you you ever hear or read of Christ Teaching his disciples that they ought to despise one because his skin was different then theirs?"(1055)

"I felt convinced that Christ died for all mankind—that age, sect, color, country, or situation make no difference. I felt an assurance that I was included in the plan of redemption with all my brethren." - A Son of the Forest

Summary:
Here we see Apess, pleading to fellow Christians to rethink their discrimination against people with different skin color.

My Ideas:

As I read Apess's "An Indian's Looking-Glass for the White Man, I was moved to really think about the Native Americans and how White settlers completely wiped tribes out. I was ashamed as well for not knowing more about Native Americans, they should be a bigger part of our history in school. Not just settlers came...yes their was fighting...but now their happy on their Reservations. We are taught about the trail of tears and the battle of Wounded Knee, but I have never read a piece of literature from a Native. While reading this, I couldn’t help but to think of my Great Grandmother, who was half Choctaw Indian from Arkansas. She had to keep the fact that she was Native American a secret, because it could have been a death sentence. But the sad thing is because of that we have no Idea for sure what our heritage and traditions are. It saddens me to think that she had to be in fear of the truth of who she really was. So even with this information in my Ancestry, I am even more ashamed to have not known the whole story.