Childhood in Puritan New England
The source under analysis is a letter which provides information needed for the comprehensive investigation of the past events and improvement of the understanding of habits and traditions of people who lived at that period. Besides, letters are often used as primary sources as they provide clear and authentic information that could not be interpreted in different ways. For this reason, the analysis of this letter is important for the investigation of the peculiarities of the epoch.
The title of the document is Letter of Samuel Mather (Age 12) to His father (ca. 1638). It is rather informative. The title shows a reader that he/she will be able to analyze an authentic text that might contain the information needed to understand the peculiarities of relations between children and their relatives at that period and the way children of this age thought and shared their ideas.
The letter is written by Samuel Mather, a young boy who is 12 years old. Besides, resting on the character of this primary source, it is also possible to state that he belongs at least to the middle class as the representatives of lower orders could not read and write at that period. They simply did not need it.
Looking at the title, we could also state that the letter was written in the 17th century. It is dated by 1638. For this reason, it could be used as one of the primary sources for the investigation of the peculiarities of childhood in Puritan New England of that period. The letter will provide the needed information and help to improve the comprehending of the epoch.
The source is a letter that presents the boys thoughts in which he describes his vision of the soul, his understanding of God, and his relations with him. Being worried, a boy wants his father to understand his hesitations and give a piece of advice. He says that God might be angry with him as prayers do not help and very often he feels lonely and miserable. At the end of the letter, the boy states that he doubts whether he still has power and desire to pray.
When reading this document, it becomes obvious that it is written because a young boy faces a certain moral problem he is not able to solve on his own. He is not able to understand whether his faith is strong or not and how to live and pray. The boy needs a piece of advice, and he asks his father to help him because there are numerous hesitations.
Besides, the letter raises the important question of religion and faith. It shows us that the society of that period was very pious in New England. Even children had numerous questions related to god, prayers, their relations with this power and their souls. Additionally, considering the style of this source, it is also possible to say that children were quite educated and were able to share their thoughts.
Altogether, the letter shows us that its author is a small boy who can read, write, share his thoughts, and is concerned about religious affairs. It could also help us to determine his socio-economic status. At the end of the letter, the boy writes “I desire that you would let me have your prayers, as I doubt I have them.” It is a very powerful line that evidences a great philosophic problem the boy faces.