This section of Sarah's book really hones in on John Winthrop's "A Model of Christian Charity" and looks at the different ways it has been used throughout history. This speech was pretty much the beginning of all speeches. Vowell comments, "Talking about Winthrop's 'A Model of Christian Charity' without discussing Ronald Reagan would be like mentioning Dolly Parton's 'I Will Always Love You' and pretending Whitney Houston doesn't exist." (Pg. 59) This obviously is important because throughout Reagan's political career, he quotes Winthrop several times. Like the night before winning the 1980 presidential election he said, "'Let us resolve they will say of our day and our generation, we did keep the faith with our God, that we did act worthy of ourselves, that we did protect and pass on lovingly that shining city upon a hill.'" (pg. 59) Reagan takes Winthrop's "city upon a hill" saying and adds "shining" to brighten it up. By using Winthrop's brilliant speech, Reagan improved his own speech. Another part of Winthrop's inspiring speech was read at Reagan's funeral by Sandra O'Connor, "'We must delight in each other, make other' conditions our own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work as members of the same body.'" (Pg. 68) So either it be an inspiring election or a sad funeral, Winthrop's words are heard everywhere.
The beginning of this set of chapters talks about the "most ironic and entertaining" example of the Puritan mind-set which is the seal. The seal, a picture of an Indian saying "Come over and help us." With this seal it looks as if the Indians need help and they're gonna get it no matter what. Ironically many Europeans who set out before the Puritans carried "European mutagens" across the Atlantic and killed off ninety percent of the native population . Think about that. Ninety Percent. The Puritan's believed it was God who "consumed the natives with a great plague...so there be few inhabitants left." (Pg. 30) When I read this it reminded me of the bugs "accidentally" carried by plane or boat from around the world and has destroyed thousands of acres of trees and shrubs. Or the recent Swine Flu which developed in Mexico and spread into the U.S., but didn't kill as many. These things happen, and are usually accidents. The first Europeans who brought the mutagens to a different habitat were unaware of the deadly consequences, and just in case they thought someone knew what really happened, they blamed it on God.
When Vowell commented on the "snowball moment" and how when at the snowball's impact on someone's head, there is only the happiness and hope of the world in front of his eyes for only a moment. But afterwards there is "the downbeat of gloom" that has yet to come. Just like Winthrop when he is on the boat giving his speech, but his gloomy and days as governor has yet to come. This reminded me of someone in war. Typically when someone joins the army, especially in history, you contain an uncontrollable amount of vengeance, and will be happy to kill the opposing side. Before the fight, you are getting revved up and ready for battle, waiting to avenge your own country. Once you rush out to the battle field, and fight a couple of enemies you are in that moment of, not necessarily happiness, but of pleasure and contentment of killing the people who hurt your people. Then you realize you are alone. You look around and your friends are dead by your side, gone forever. This is another example of a gory yet sadly true snowball effect still present even today in Iraq.
I really enjoyed Vowell's view on the Puritan's obsessed idea of providence. She makes a very good point, later on, when she starts talking about how Winthrop's fellow Calvinists "believed in the doctrine of predestination. Since God decides everything, god decides whether a person will end up in heaven or hell before the person is even born." (Pg. 41) This is an interesting point because how can anyone ever know. I am not quite sure myself but this really got the Puritan community working hard and trying to become "saved."
These past chapters really broadened my view of Winthrop's speech and how famous it is even to this day hundreds of years after it was given. The speech, "A Model of Christian Charity" was given as guidelines to the Puritan soon-to-be community and was uplifting. Winthrop wasn't even aware that someday people will look back at them with respect and gratitude. Most likely someday in the future Winthrop's words will be used again, and will certainly be welcomed.
Monday, August 24, 2009
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