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John Winthrop Rhetorical Analysis

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John Winthrop was an English Puritan who was a key part in the founding of the first major settlement, the Massachusetts Bay colony. John led himself and groups of English puritans to the new world away from the persecution of the British empire in 1630, during the Puritan Migration. While on their voyage to the new world, Winthrop preached his most famous sermon "A Model of Christian Charity" also known as "City upon a Hill", in an attempt to bond the puritan members and to discuss the influence god has given them, and to set an example of communal charity and unity to the world. These visions for the colony Winthrop had presented ultimately led to the development of the New England colony and influenced the religion and government of nearby …show more content…

Winthrop mentions god and the lord continuously throughout the excerpt, constantly reminding them of their main purpose for coming into the new world. He states "our posterity, is to follow the counsel of Micah, to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God" he also states "The Lord will be our God, and delight to dwell among us" both of these quotes he is referring to god and he continues to do so multiple times in this excerpt. Winthrop talking about god all revolves around the puritan migration and why they immigrated to the new world to begin with. The puritan migration lasted 2 decades from 1620 to 1640 and consisted of English Puritans migrating to parts of the new world in Massachusetts and the West Indies. The main push and pull factors for migrating was due to the religious prosecution the puritans were facing by New England, leading to the migration in search of a new life and religious freedom as well as to spread the faith of God throughout the new world. All tying to why Winthrop mentions God a number of times, reminding them about their reason for migrating to the new world making his choice of words very effective and …show more content…

By the use of Word choice, his style, tone, voice, and logos, he was able to have a huge impact on the puritan society, persuading them to follow him, work as one, and most importantly serve god. Although these 3 rhetorical devises weren't the only ones he used, they were the most effective to the audience. By using these rhetorical devises he was also able to show the audience of his capabilities, by establishing visions for the colony and society and presented his intelligent and logical thinking proving him as an effective leader. John Winthrop was a master at the use of language and writing and proves it in "A Model of Christian

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Winthrop also expresses the sensory details in the passage. He shows the emotion

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"A Model of Christian Charity", Winthrop's sermon gave rise to the widespread belief that the United States of America is God's country. The Puritan’s community in New England would set an example of common charity, affection, and unity to the world. And if the Puritans failed to uphold their covenant of God, they shall be made a story or a model through the world of God's judgment. Yet, the Mayflower Compact was important to because it allowed the pilgrims to be freely equal to a new society and be closer to Jesus Christ. Both of the Mayflower Compact and the Arbella Covenant have similarities in agreement to commit to God and start a Christian community together as a

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This analogy shows how Winthrop believed that in order to reach perfection every person needs to fulfill their duties and help one another in times of need. It was a tedious task to fulfill, but with the work ethic the Puritans had, it would not be too daunting of a task. If their society were able to become unified like this and stay steadfast in their covenant, then they would prosper in this new world. However, the bond that would be needed in order to be unified was much more complex than the bonds of a human

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According to The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People in 1630, eleven ships and seven hundred passengers under Governor John Winthrop arrived at the new capital of Boston. In it, he boldly declared that Massachusetts “shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us.” The settlers would build a harmonious, godly community in which individuals would subordinate their personal interests to a higher purpose. The result

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“It is yourselves who have called us to this office… we have our authority from God”. Winthrop expresses his view and beliefs of a great society under the influence of God. “...when you see infirmities, you should reflect upon your own...”. Winthrop

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In a later work, Winthrop describes how the people can live freely as long as they, the individual, lived in “subjection to authority” that would coincide with the idea of a model city previously described. His sermon distinguishes two types of liberties — natural and civil liberties — that would contrast the monetary liberties that John Smith’s men sought after. The natural liberties outlined in Winthrop’s sermon aligns with the idea that men share similar attitudes with beasts in a natural state of being. He continues by saying that we have the liberty to “do what he lists…and

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