Analyzation Of Elizabeth Sprig's Letter To John Spyer

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Analyzation of Elizabeth Sprigs Letter Elizabeth Sprigs letter to John Spyer (her father) was written in Maryland of September 22, 1756. The theme of the letter definitely displays hardship from a young woman’s perspective as she desperately tries to ask for help. Just as quickly as I found out about her unknown complications with her father, she jumps straight into her sufferings. From reading, I discover she’s an indentured servant, which is someone who works under contract for a period of time in exchange for citizenship or sometimes acres of land (Notes). Not only does the language thoroughly explain her situation but provides a bit of relief, if possible. Elizabeth Sprigs letter reveals the culture and history of her punishing times during …show more content…

At the time of the letter, the end of the first Great Awakening era had just approached. A time where social tension between religious matters and colonial society collided (150-151). It was an eye opener for not only the American colonies but Europe as well. It provided a deeper understanding of god, religion, themselves, and the world around them. The letter starts off with a detailed explanation on why her plead to her angered father should be listened to. “My being forever banished from your sight, will I hope pardon the boldness I now take of troubling you with these” (Sprigs, 1756). She then continues on about the torment she goes through, day in and day out. The way her language conveys certain emotions is powerful. Not only did I feel remorse for her but I felt somewhat wanting to help her. In a country where she had no one but herself and a father that basically disowned her, you wanted to reach out to her. As she writes, “Let it suffice that I am on of the unhappy number, am toiling almost day and night, and very often in the horse’s drudgery, with only this comfort that you bitch you do not half enough, and then tied up and whipped to that degree that you now serve an animal” (Sprigs, 1756). Her circumstances don’t even stop there either, she explains how all she eats is corn and salt, and how a lot