Previous
Book 1, Chapter 2
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Of Plymouth Plantation, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Christianity
Bias and Propaganda
War, Violence, and the State
Native Americans
Debt and Religious Capitalism
Summary
Analysis
In Holland, the English reformers are intimidated by the strange language and customs. They work hard to avoid falling into poverty. Settling in the city of Leyden, famous for its university, the English manage to support themselves. The unofficial leader of the English, John Robinson, along with his assistant, William Brewster, fosters a strong congregation. Robinson is beloved among his congregants.
At the time, Leyden was a seat of religious and political thought, and a home to some of the most notable Protestant theologians in Europe. The reformers are impoverished during their time in Leyden, however, since they don’t have any real experience with Dutch culture.
Active
Themes
Literary Devices
Quiz
Test Yourself
Bradford says he won’t dwell on the details of the English reformers’ lives in Holland, since his subject is Plymouth. However, Bradford will address the slanderous rumor that the English left Holland because of their poor reputation. On the contrary, he says, English reformers had a reputation for honesty. However, they became embroiled in a feud with the Arminian (i.e., Dutch Protestant reformer) population. The Arminians were well educated, and Robinson engaged in many theological debates with their leader, Poliander. Robinson was so successful in the debates that many prominent Dutchmen became sympathetic to Robinson’s ideas, and invited Robinson’s congregation to remain in the country.
