The Day of Doom; Or, a Poetical Description of the Great and Last Judgement (eBook)

Michael Wigglesworth (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2022
61 Seiten
DigiCat (Verlag)
859-654717866-8 (EAN)

Infos

Michael Wigglesworth's "The Day of Doom; Or, a Poetical Description of the Great and Last Judgement" is a compelling allegorical poem that vividly imagines the frightening scenes of the Last Judgment. Written in the 17th century, this work stands as one of the earliest American poems and offers a poetic format steeped in the Puritanical traditions of the time. Wigglesworth employs a didactic style, overflowing with vivid imagery and somber reflections on sin and redemption, designed to evoke moral introspection and religious fervor among its readers. The use of rhythmic couplets captures a sense of urgency and inevitability, aligning the reader with the ethical parameters of an era rife with existential contemplation. Wigglesworth, a minister and poet from colonial New England, was deeply influenced by the fervent religious atmosphere of his time. His role within a Puritan community and personal experiences of faith and doubt profoundly shaped his depiction of divine judgment and human frailty. The cultural context of his life—marked by a quest for salvation and an emphasis on moral righteousness—sharply informs the themes explored within this work, encapsulating a community's fears and hopes about salvation. For readers interested in early American literature, Wigglesworth's "The Day of Doom" is essential. Not only does it provide insight into the Puritan mindset, but it also functions as an early commentary on the human condition through the lens of religious belief. This poem stands as an important artifact of American history, merging poetic artistry with profound theological exploration.

Autor

Michael Wigglesworth (1631–1705) stands as a significant figure in early American literature, notably for his distinctively stark and fervent Puritanical writings. Born in England, Wigglesworth migrated to the New World with his family as a child, contributing to the emerging cultural and religious ethos of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He graduated from Harvard College in 1651 and stayed at the institution to serve as a teacher and later a pastor, deeply immersed in the religious community there. Wigglesworth's most acclaimed and unsettling work, 'The Day of Doom; Or, a Poetical Description of the Great and Last Judgement,' published in 1662, is emblematic of the pervasive eschatological concerns of the Puritan populace. This lengthy doggerel poem, cast in ballad meter, vividly recounts the Last Judgment, serving as a sermon meant to inspire fear and moral rectitude in its audience. Its popularity is evidenced by its widespread readership in colonial New England, making it one of the best-selling poems of the era. Wigglesworth's theological focus and foreboding literary style mirror the spirit of the early American Puritan movement, portraying the stark choices between salvation and damnation. His work is often examined for its insights into Puritan theology and the socio-religious life of early American settlers. Though best known for 'The Day of Doom,' Wigglesworth's poetic contributions significantly shaped the early American literary canon, reflecting a society deeply engaged with questions of faith, righteousness, and the afterlife.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 15.8.2022
• Verlagsort: Prague
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Lyrik / Dramatik ► Lyrik / Gedichte
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Religion / Theologie ► Christentum
• Schlagworte: 17th century literature • 17th century poetry • 17th-century poetry • American Literature • Apocalyptic imagery • Apocalyptic Poetry • ballad style narrative • Calvinist theology • Christian allegory • Christian eschatological poems • Colonial America • colonial American poetry • divine punishment • early American Literature • Early American Theology • Final Judgement imagery • historical spiritual concerns • Judgement Day reflection • Judgment Day • last judgement themes • Michael Wigglesworth works • new england history • Poetry • Puritan literature • Puritan moral instruction • religious poetic tradition • Religious poetry • religious verse • sombre cautionary tale • The Day of Doom • theological introspection