Governor John Winthrop Character Analysis in Hope Leslie

Governor Winthrop is the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He is a wealthy, well-connected man with a suitably elegant home in Boston. Winthrop is known as a fatherly, even-tempered man, forbidding in looks but gracious in manners, and compassionate despite his firm discipline. He is William Fletcher’s good friend and Hope Leslie’s guardian when she moves to Boston at 17.

Governor John Winthrop Quotes in Hope Leslie

The Hope Leslie quotes below are all either spoken by Governor John Winthrop or refer to Governor John Winthrop. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Religious Conflict and Tolerance Theme Icon

[Madam Winthrop] was admirably qualified for the station she occupied. She recognised, and continually taught to matron and maiden, the duty of unqualified obedience from the wife to the husband, her appointed lord and master; a duty that it was left to modern heresy to dispute; and which our pious fathers, or even mothers, were so far from questioning, that the only divine right to govern, which they acknowledged, was that vested in the husband over the wife.

Related Characters: Madam Winthrop, Governor John Winthrop

Page Number and Citation: 151

Explanation and Analysis:

“Would it not be wise and prudent to take my brother's counsel, and consign her to some one who should add to affection, the modest authority of a husband?"

Governor Winthrop paused for a reply, but receiving none, he proceeded […] “William Hubbard—the youth who hath come with so much credit from our prophets' school at Cambridge. He is a discreet young man, steeped in learning, and of approved orthodoxy."

"These be cardinal points with us," replied Mr. Fletcher, calmly, "but they are not like to commend him to a maiden of Hope Leslie's temper. She inclineth not to bookish men, and is apt to vent her childish gaiety upon the ungainly ways of scholars."

Thus our heroine, by her peculiar taste, lost at least the golden opportunity of illustrating herself by a union with the future historian of New-England.

Related Characters: Governor John Winthrop (speaker), Mr. William Fletcher (speaker), Hope Leslie (Alice), William Hubbard

Page Number and Citation: 161

Explanation and Analysis:

“[M]y sweet mistress […] this having our own way, is what every body likes; it's the privilege we came to this wilderness world for; and though the gentles up in town there, with the Governor at their head, hold a pretty tight rein, yet I can tell them, that there are many who think what blunt Master Blackstone said, 'that he came not away from the Lords-bishops, to put himself under the Lord's-brethren.' […] I know which way the wind blows. Thought and will are set free. […] Times are changed—there is a new spirit in the world—chains are broken—fetters are knocked off—and the liberty set forth in the blessed word, is now felt to be every man's birth-right.

Related Characters: John Digby (speaker), Governor John Winthrop, Hope Leslie (Alice)

Related Symbols: Wilderness

Page Number and Citation: 235

Explanation and Analysis:

The feeling was contagious, and every voice, save her judges, shouted "liberty!—liberty! grant the prisoner liberty!" The Governor rose, waved his hand to command silence, and would have spoken, but his voice failed him; his heart was touched with the general emotion, and he was fain to turn away to hide tears more becoming to the man, than the magistrate.

Related Characters: Magawisca, Governor John Winthrop

Page Number and Citation: 309

Explanation and Analysis:

Governor John Winthrop Character Timeline in Hope Leslie

The timeline below shows where the character Governor John Winthrop appears in Hope Leslie. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...carefully watched so that he does not fall under the sway of local men like Winthrop or Eliot. (full context)

Young William’s father does not comply with these requests, and William accordingly befriends both Winthrop and Eliot. He also begins to fall in love with his cousin Alice Fletcher. Sir... (full context)

Heartbroken, William leaves a letter for Alice Fletcher and goes to Winthrop for advice. Winthrop urges William to sail for New England, and William agrees. William’s decision... (full context)

...have “an angelic spirit.” Not long thereafter, William is talked into marrying a ward of Winthrop’s, a godly orphan girl. In 1630, he and his family join Governor Winthrop in embarking... (full context)

...an American Indian girl. To Martha, he says that he has just received word from Governor Winthrop in Boston. With some hesitation, he explains that his cousin, Alice Fletcher, had arrived... (full context)

William explains that Governor Winthrop’s letter has reopened old wounds. Following Sir William’s and her husband’s deaths, Alice Fletcher... (full context)

Violence and Historical Memory Theme Icon

...Monoca, and brother, Oneco. Other captives were sent to the West Indies as slaves, but Governor Winthrop, admiring Monoca’s dignity and seeing that she is near death, promises to care for... (full context)

...the boat approaches Boston, the two men and the sailor get into a conversation about Governor Winthrop’s politics, which seem to favor Parliament rather than King. The older gentleman remarks that... (full context)

...he sees no one he recognizes. He invites the older man to accompany him to Governor Winthrop’s, where he’s sure to find hospitality. They disembark and haven’t advanced far into the... (full context)

Esther is the niece of Governor Winthrop and “of a reserved, tender, and timid cast of character.” She is strict in... (full context)

Governor Winthrop was not a “needy adventurer”; he owns a wealthy estate in England and is... (full context)

...English hosts to treat them as they would treat English guests in their own homes. Winthrop, who has “urgent state reasons” not to antagonize Miantunnomoh, asks for forgiveness and, despite Madam... (full context)

...if he could have the honor of toasting Esther. At this, Hope, Mr. Fletcher, and Governor Winthrop scold Everell in unison. When Everell asks, “What have I done now?” the Governor... (full context)

Everell claims drinking toasts is an innocent custom, but Governor Winthrop replies that “vanity” is never innocent. Love should never be feigned, so Everell’s “empty... (full context)

Governor Winthrop retires to his study with his friend Mr. Fletcher. Winthrop hands Fletcher a letter... (full context)

...letter and, finishing it, begins to cry. Finally, he pulls himself together and admits to Winthrop that it has been his dream to see “these children of two saints in heaven... (full context)

Governor Winthrop sympathizes with Fletcher but argues that Everell and Esther seem to have affection for... (full context)

Governor Winthrop reminds Mr. Fletcher of Hope’s “lawlessness” in the situation with Nelema and suggests that... (full context)

Then the Governor suggests Sir Philip Gardiner as a potential match—he may be old, but he is of... (full context)

...asks him to stop talking of such things. Mr. Fletcher explains what he discussed with Governor Winthrop about Everell’s marriage, adding that even in the case of marriage, individual desires must... (full context)

Everell offers Madam Winthrop his arm on the way to the lecture, so Mr. Fletcher walks with Esther. Esther... (full context)

Gorton and his group are seated in front of the ruling elders. The Governor and his family set themselves in their normal pew, where Hope is already seated with... (full context)

Madam Winthrop instructs Everell to walk Esther home, and Sir Philip offers his arm to Hope. Hope... (full context)

Back at Governor Winthrop’s, everyone is alarmed by Hope’s absence. The moonlit night gives way to a sudden... (full context)

Compelled to enter the parlor to make apologies to Madam Winthrop, Hope tells the household that if she were to reveal the reason for her absence,... (full context)

...of indignation and asks Mr. Fletcher if he believes her. He says he does. Madam Winthrop intercedes to get Hope out of her dripping clothes, and Hope gratefully retires to her... (full context)

...of Boston, or else Faith will have to be disguised. Hope recalls that Digby oversees Governor Winthrop’s island estate in the harbor, and suggests that she arrange to spend a night... (full context)

...Miantunnomoh on his side (hence the Mohegan chief’s presence in Boston, to be questioned by Governor Winthrop). During all this, Magawisca remained by her father’s side, and Oneco and Faith accompanied... (full context)

Sir Philip and Roslin return to Sir Philip’s lodgings, which Governor Winthrop has secured for them elsewhere. Ignoring his weeping page, Sir Philip begins writing a... (full context)

...Hope away from Everell and take her back to England, where she belongs. Having won Governor Winthrop’s and Mr. Fletcher’s approval, Sir Philip believes that fortune is beginning to favor him... (full context)

The following week is filled with anxiety for everyone in the Governor’s household. The Governor is distracted, frequently meeting with Sir Philip. The leaders of the colony... (full context)

Where Hope is distracted and undeferential, Esther is constantly respectful toward Madam Winthrop. While Hope is distracted by the situation with Magawisca and Faith, Everell supposes that Hope... (full context)

Hope had successfully proposed an excursion to Governor Winthrop’s garden, and it looks as if everything is going to go smoothly, when Madam... (full context)

...with armed men circles the island and rapidly lands on the beach. Men from the governor’s guard jump out and take Magawisca and Faith captive. Hope cries out to Oneco that... (full context)

...is weeping, and Magawisca, who feels betrayed and fearful for her father. Back at the Governor’s house, meanwhile, Everell and Esther are enduring an awkward evening together, and Mr. Fletcher is... (full context)

At this point, the governor’s guard enters with Magawisca, to the surprise of all present. Everell is delighted to see... (full context)

...Hope then swoons in Roslin’s arms, just as the Fletchers and a group of the Governor’s men appear, ready to go in search of Hope. Everell wraps Hope in his cloak,... (full context)

...access to information valuable to the state—and also a means by which to curry the Governor’s favor. He also hopes that, if he helps take Faith captive, he’ll gain Hope’s favor... (full context)

...reporting what he’d seen in the cemetery. Unfortunately, around the same time, information reached the Governor about a renegade who’d deserted Miantunnomoh and betrayed him to the Governor, claiming that Mononotto... (full context)

Miantunnomoh has always shown himself to be a good friend of the English, so Governor Winthrop hopes that by capturing Magawisca’s family, he will be able to learn the truth... (full context)

...Sir Philip Gardiner goes to the town jail with a letter of admittance from the Governor. He is duly admitted by the jailkeeper, Barnaby Tuttle. Sir Philip observes that Barnaby is... (full context)

...attribute it to Gorton’s followers, since their sentence is soon to be carried out. Secretly, Governor Winthrop instructs Barnaby Tuttle to move Magawisca into a basement dungeon; soon after, Gorton and... (full context)

After the meal, Governor Winthrop invites Hope to tell the story of her escape. Hope apologizes for her crossness... (full context)

After Hope finishes narrating her escape, Governor Winthrop admonishes Hope for failing to denounce “the idol worship of that darkened papistical youth.”... (full context)

After the group disperses for the night, Hope goes to Governor Winthrop’s study and begs him to release Magawisca from prison. The Governor urges her not... (full context)

...in prison, hoping that Magawisca might be persuaded to convert to Christianity, whereupon her uncle Winthrop might grant Magawisca freedom and allow her, instead of following her father back into the... (full context)

...prays for mercy toward the defendant. After he’s done, many look more compassionately toward Magawisca. Governor Winthrop outlines the charges against Magawisca, and then asks Sir Philip to testify about what... (full context)

...he cringes. Rosa brings forward a packet of letters, which Sir Philip places before the governor. Sir Philip senses that popular sentiment has shifted in favor of Magawisca. He knows he... (full context)

...with some repudiating her “heathenism” and others saying they can’t condemn her on this basis. Governor Winthrop observes that Sir Philip’s testimony isn’t consistent with what he's previously stated in private. (full context)

When Sir Philip argues that he wasn’t under oath before, the Governor points out that he isn’t now, but that Magawisca can request that he be placed... (full context)

...he would be glad to clear up these details in a private interview, and the Governor decides that Magawisca’s trial must be suspended until the magistrates are able to meet again... (full context)

...be a way of killing her by less direct means. As she kneels before the Governor in supplication, her mutilated arm is revealed. She begs for death or liberty, and Everell... (full context)

Finally Governor Winthrop says that he cannot grant her liberty right now, but he will fulfill his... (full context)

In Governor Winthrop’s mansion, the parlor is adjacent to a large pantry. The pantry is also accessible... (full context)

Meanwhile, Sir Philip is making up a story with which he hopes to appease the Governor. He decides he will admit to a previous love affair with Rosa and then claim... (full context)

When Sir Philip arrives at the Winthrops’, Everell leaves in disgust, and Hope greets him coldly. Only Jennet welcomes him, and she... (full context)

...in private with her aunt and uncle, and then there’s a bustle in the house. Governor Winthrop paces and talks with Mr. Fletcher. Everell goes out, and Hope is helplessly distracted.... (full context)

Governor Winthrop at first thinks that the young man is speaking Italian and that Master Cradock... (full context)

...they’re going to the jail to help Magawisca, Cradock insists that a passport from the Governor is needed, but Hope insists that she will manage things with Barnaby Tuttle. (full context)

A flustered Mr. Fletcher embraces Hope at the door, crying, “My precious child!” Governor Winthrop gives thanks for Hope’s deliverance, Aunt Grafton weeps, and Esther hugs her. Soon Hope... (full context)

When it was discovered that Sir Philip and Rosa disappeared, Governor Winthrop recalled the packet of letters which Rosa had handed Sir Philip at the trial.... (full context)

Hope mourns over Faith’s departure, but she knows her sister will finally be happy. Governor Winthrop, likewise, cannot be bothered to chase her down. Magawisca is reunited with her father,... (full context)

...Magawisca’s old cell, they find Cradock sound asleep. Tuttle cannot resent Hope for hoodwinking him. Governor Winthrop, distracted by a brewing war between Miantunnomoh‘s Narragansetts and other regional tribes, does not... (full context)

The next morning, Winthrop meets with the other magistrates, and they agree that though Everell and Hope acted very... (full context)

...from their room and rushes downstairs to find out where she is. After breakfast, Madam Winthrop finally gives Hope a letter, which she and Everell have been instructed to read together.... (full context)

Hope Leslie

Governor John Winthrop Character Analysis

Governor John Winthrop Quotes in Hope Leslie

Volume 1, Chapter 11 Quotes

Volume 2, Chapter 5 Quotes

Volume 2, Chapter 9 Quotes

Governor John Winthrop Character Timeline in Hope Leslie