Surviving Captivity: A Mary Rowlandson Narrative In 1675, Metacoment, who was called Philip by the Puritans, led the Native Americans on the first series of many attacks that came to be known as “King Philip’s War.” Particularly, on February 10, 1675, The Native Americans attacked Lancaster, Massachusetts, killing many people and taking the others hostage. Among those taken hostage, was Mary Rowlandson, a devoted puritan mother and minister’s wife, along with her three children. (Rowlandson 128) Rowlandson faced many adversities during the eleven weeks she was in captivity, including: the death of her youngest child in her arms, the loss of her family and friends, and having to endure terrible living conditions. Further, she encountered all …show more content…
Due to the fact that Rowlandson is a Puritan, the reader must keep in mind that they believed in pre-destination, meaning why should they even try? In their mind, they are God’s chosen people and they will always be welcome into the kingdom of heaven. However, she feels that God is punishing her because of these sins that she has committed in the past. Rowlandson then takes a step back to look at her past and realize that God’s love is forever, no matter the sins that she has committed, “Yet the Lord still showed mercy to me, and upheld me; and as He wounded me with one hand, so he healed me with the other.” (Rowlandson …show more content…
I should be sometimes jealous least I should have my portion in this life, and that Scripture would come to my mind, ‘For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth’ (Hebrews 12.6).” (Rowlandson