The 17th century was a time of profound transformation in American history. It was an era shaped by the early settlements of the New World, with the founding of colonies, the emergence of new social structures, and the blending of various European cultural elements with indigenous traditions. Amidst this period of exploration, hardship, and ideological conflict, American poetry began to take root, setting the stage for the development of a unique literary tradition. One of the key figures in this early period of American poetry was Increase Mather, a prominent Puritan minister, theologian, and scholar whose works, while primarily theological and political, also reflected the nascent forms of American poetry.
This article delves into the life and work of Increase Mather, analyzing his contributions to 17th-century American poetry and how his writings reflected the religious, social, and political landscapes of his time. While Mather is often remembered for his roles in religious leadership and his involvement in the Salem witch trials, his poetic works offer valuable insights into the intellectual currents of early America and the development of American literary traditions.
Early Life and Context
Increase Mather was born on June 21, 1639, in Dorchester, Massachusetts, into a family deeply embedded in the Puritan tradition. His father, Richard Mather, was a respected Puritan minister who had emigrated from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. From an early age, Mather was immersed in the religious and intellectual environment of the Puritan community. This influence would shape his worldview and inform his later literary and theological works. His formal education began at Harvard College, where he was educated in the Puritan tradition of scholarship, which emphasized the Bible as the foundation of all knowledge.
Mather’s upbringing in the context of Puritanism, a religious movement that sought to purify the Church of England and create a society based on biblical principles, played a significant role in shaping his literary output. The Puritans valued piety, moral rigor, and a strong sense of divine providence. These themes would be reflected in Mather’s poetry, which often grappled with questions of salvation, divine intervention, and the nature of human existence.
Mather’s Contributions to American Poetry
While Mather is primarily known for his theological and ministerial writings, his contributions to American poetry cannot be overlooked. His poetic works, although limited in number, provide a fascinating glimpse into the intellectual and spiritual concerns of 17th-century American life. Mather’s poetry often blended religious fervor with a sense of melancholy and introspection, reflecting the Puritan emphasis on the impermanence of earthly life and the ultimate importance of spiritual salvation.
One of the key characteristics of Mather’s poetry is its deep engagement with the concept of divine providence. Like many Puritan writers, Mather believed that God’s will governed all aspects of human existence, from the rise and fall of nations to the personal lives of individuals. This belief in divine intervention and the significance of God’s actions is a recurring theme in Mather’s poetry, as he frequently wrote about the ways in which God’s hand shaped history and guided the lives of the faithful.
Mather’s poetry also reflects the Puritan preoccupation with sin, guilt, and redemption. In many of his works, he explores the tension between human frailty and the possibility of divine grace. This tension, which lies at the heart of the Puritan worldview, is expressed through vivid imagery and powerful emotional appeals. Mather’s poems are marked by a sense of urgency, as he urges his readers to reflect on their spiritual lives and to seek redemption before it is too late.
Theological and Political Themes in Mather’s Poetry
The 17th century in America was a time of religious upheaval and political strife. The Puritan settlers who arrived in New England were deeply committed to creating a society based on their religious ideals, and this sense of mission shaped both their everyday lives and their intellectual pursuits. Mather, as a leading figure in the Puritan community, was deeply involved in the religious and political debates of his time. His poetry often reflects these concerns, particularly in its engagement with issues of governance, the role of the church, and the place of individual conscience within a religious community.
Mather’s most famous theological work, The Wonders of the Invisible World (1693), was written in defense of the Salem witch trials, an event that marked one of the darkest chapters in American history. Although his poetry did not directly address the witch trials, the themes of divine judgment, moral order, and the need for purification that are present in his poetry were part of the larger Puritan worldview that underpinned the events of Salem. Mather’s belief in the necessity of maintaining moral and religious discipline in society is evident in his poetry, which often calls for spiritual vigilance and a return to religious purity.
In addition to his theological concerns, Mather’s poetry also addresses political issues. The Puritans were engaged in ongoing struggles with both the English crown and the Native American populations, and Mather’s works reflect the anxieties and challenges faced by the early American colonists. His poetry frequently grapples with the tension between the demands of the state and the imperatives of religious faith. In poems such as “A Funeral Elegy for Elizabeth, the Wife of Mr. John Phillips,” Mather underscores the inevitability of death and the need for spiritual preparation, while simultaneously alluding to the social and political circumstances that shaped the lives of his subjects.
Mather’s Legacy in American Poetry
Although Increase Mather is not remembered primarily as a poet, his works played a significant role in the development of early American literature. His poetry reflects the intellectual and religious currents of the time and provides a window into the worldview of the Puritan colonists. Mather’s emphasis on divine providence, sin, and redemption resonates with the larger themes of 17th-century American poetry, which often grappled with questions of human suffering, divine justice, and the search for meaning in an uncertain world.
Furthermore, Mather’s poetry can be seen as part of the broader trend of Puritan literature in America. The Puritans, with their emphasis on moral instruction and religious reflection, produced a body of writing that laid the foundation for American literary traditions. While Mather’s works may not have had the same lasting influence as those of later American poets such as Anne Bradstreet or Edward Taylor, his poetry nonetheless represents an important step in the evolution of American poetry. Mather’s works were part of a literary tradition that sought to articulate the spiritual and moral dimensions of life in the New World.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Increase Mather, while primarily known for his role as a minister and theologian, was also an important figure in the early history of American poetry. His works, although limited in number, offer valuable insights into the religious, political, and intellectual landscape of 17th-century America. Mather’s poetry reflects the deeply held beliefs of the Puritan community, including their preoccupation with divine providence, sin, and redemption. His engagement with the challenges of governance, religious discipline, and personal salvation highlights the ways in which poetry can serve as both a reflection of and a response to the larger social and political context in which it is written.
As a 17th-century American poet, Mather helped to lay the groundwork for the future of American literature, and his works continue to offer valuable perspectives on the religious and cultural issues that shaped the early American experience. His poetic legacy, though overshadowed by his theological and political writings, remains an important part of the broader tapestry of American poetry, contributing to the development of a distinctively American literary voice.
