Puritans Behaving Badly: Gender, Punishment, and Religion in Early America

This book explores how laypeople in Puritan New England challenged traditional gender conventions and shaped gender roles, ultimately transforming the Puritan mission into a feminine ideal.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 191 pages
Publication date: 10 March 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This captivating book delves into the intricate tapestry of Puritan New England, tracing the first three generations and unraveling the profound transformations that occurred in language, gender expectations, and religious identities for both men and women. It makes a compelling argument that laypeople played a pivotal role in shaping gender conventions by actively challenging the ideas propagated by ministers and rectifying more traditional notions of masculinity and femininity. While Puritanism championed the concept of spiritual equality, it is important to note that in daily practice, laymen exhibited distinct biases towards men and women. Men were subjected to censure for their public behavior, which was perceived as threatening the peace and stability of their communities. On the other hand, women were criticized for their private sins, which were believed to expose their spiritual corruption.

In response to these pressures, men sought to maintain their public masculine identity by infusing gender into the construction of religious ideas about public service, individual identity, and the division of labor. They altered the original mission of Puritanism, transforming it from a quest for spiritual purity into a vehicle for gender affirmation. As a result, the normative Puritan became increasingly feminine, with women assuming leadership roles and playing a significant role in shaping the religious and social fabric of Puritan society.

This book offers a rich and nuanced exploration of the complex interplay between religion, gender, and society in early modern England. It sheds light on the ways in which laypeople challenged traditional authority and reshaped gender norms, ultimately contributing to the transformation of Puritanism into a more inclusive and gender-balanced movement. Through its detailed analysis, the book provides valuable insights into the broader historical context of early modern Europe and the ongoing struggle for gender equality.

Weight: 294g
Dimension: 150 x 228 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108746199
Edition number: New ed