"The Wordy Shipmates," 21-End

*Ding*Ding*Ding* In one corner, we have the infamous most Puritanical men known Mr. John Winthrop and minister Wilson! Both anxious to correct the incorrect at any costs. In the other corner, is a mother of 15 ready to bump the Puritan ways of Winthrop to the next level with her accomplice and husband William wheelwright. And standing in the middle, torn by either side of this conflict is the well-known John cotton. Like a good wrestling match on television, this battle between Hutchinson/Wheelwright v.s Winthrop/Wilson, is going to be a messy one and wits are going to be tested.

Coming from England, Ann Hutchinson had been attending John Cotton's sermons for a while now, and was determined to follow him to New England. But upon her arrival, Ann had noticed the current status of the Puritan way of life and religion and thought it was a good idea to bump it up a notch. Starting her own "religious group," Hutchinson started to convert people over. She believes, "that the person of the Holy Ghost dwells in a justified person." (Pg. 209) She also, "rejects the Puritan conclusion that a member of the Elect is a visible saint who seems like a member of the Elect." (Pg. 211) These beliefs go directly against what John Winthrop has securely enforced within their current Puritan society. Winthrop sees Hutchinson as a threat, issues an order, "to keep out all such persons as might be dangerous to the commonwealth," (Pg. 217) and puts her on trial. This period which follows is now named the "Antinomian Controversy" ("or against the law" Controversy) with Winthrop as the magistrate and siding with the law and Hutchinson on the opposing end. The bickering between the two go on for a while, and after a bit, it is obvious Hutchinson is keener than Winthrop when it comes to arguing ones side. Vowell comments on their discussion, "Winthrop really is no match for Hutchinson's logic. Most of his answers to her challenges boil down to 'Because I said so.'" (Pg. 225)

In the end Ann Hutchinson actually ends up banishing herself and founded the city of Portsmouth. With this the Puritan society growing daily through its hardships and frequent disturbances, whether it be an attack of Native Americans or a very talkative, but dangerous, person, they were able to pull through and flourish.

I really enjoyed Sarah Vowell's writing style and many, many references to the America we know today. She used a lot of famous quotes from Winthrop, Cotton and many others who sailed across those ships to an unknown destination, trusting in God that he will guide them through the good, the bad, and the ugly. With Vowell ending her book with JFK's speech it set a great stopping point to her book, but also kept me thinking afterwards as well.