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Literary Devices
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Book 1, Chapter 4
Explanation and Analysis—Orpah and Naomi:
Although Bradford limits his use of figurative language in Of Plymouth Plantation, opting for less flowery language in the hopes of conveying objectivity, he makes an exception when it comes to biblical allusions. Knowing Bradford, this is unsurprising: for him, the Bible is truthful, a source of both sage wisdom and comfort.
But though these weaker brethren loved the members of the congregation, personally approved their cause, and honoured their sufferings, they left them, weeping, as it were;—as Orpah did her mother-in-law, Naomi; or as those Romans did Cato at Utica, who desired to be excused and borne with, though they could not all be Catos.
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Explanation and Analysis—Allusion to Proverbs:
In Book 1, Chapter 4, Bradford outlines his second of several reasons that the Leyden congregation uses to justify their removal from Holland to New England. As Bradford details, the congregation feels themselves splintering apart, all whilst being beset on all sides by persecutors who bear them ill will. Alluding to the Bible, Bradford describes the congregation's decision to leave as a calculated risk:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Therefore, according to the divine proverb (Prov. xxii, 3), that a wise man seeth the plague when it cometh, and hideth himself; they, like skillful and hardened soldiers, were wary of being surrounded by their enemies, so that they could neither fight nor flee, and thought it wiser to dislodge betimes to some place of better advantage and less danger, if any such could be found.
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Book 1, Chapter 6
Explanation and Analysis—Puritans and Israelites:
Throughout the book, Bradford and his fellow Puritans often compare themselves, through biblical allusion, to the Israelites. This emerges as a motif in the work, critically highlighting the colonists' view of themselves as oppressed peoples chosen by God to populate the "promised land" of New England.
An instance of this motif occurs in Book 1, Chapter 6, where the pastor of the Leyden congregation gives a sermon from 1 Samuel 23:3-4:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“And David’s men said unto him, see, we be afraid here in Judah; how much more if we come to Keilah against the host of the Philistines? Then David asked counsel of the Lord again.” From this text [the pastor] taught things very aptly and befitting the present occasion,—strengthening them against their fears and perplexities, and encouraging them in their resolutions.
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Book 2, Chapter 3
Explanation and Analysis—The Apostle James:
Upset at the lack of promised resources available to his starving fellow colonists, Bradford again makes a biblical allusion in Book 2, Chapter 3:
Unlock with LitCharts A+All this was but cold comfort with which to fill their hungry bellies and a slender performance of his recent promise, and as little did it either fill or warm them as those the Apostle James speaks of, to which he refers.
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Book 2, Chapter 4
Explanation and Analysis—Settler's Afflictions:
In the following passage from Book 2, Chapter 4, Bradford laments the lack of food in the Plymouth colony, alluding to a biblical instance of famine discussed in the Old Testament book of Ezekiel:
Unlock with LitCharts A+We see that the affliction of these settlers must have been very great, who not only lacked the staff of life, but all these things, and had no Egypt to go to. But God fed them out of the sea for the most part, so wonderful is His providence over His in all ages; for His mercy endureth for ever.
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Explanation and Analysis—Biblical Famine:
In the following passage from Book 2, Chapter 4, Bradford discusses the famine and hardship afflicting the Plymouth colony, building on a previous allusion to biblical famine in the process:
Unlock with LitCharts A+When I think how sadly the Scripture speaks of the famine in Jacob’s time, when he said to his sons, “Go buy us food, that we may live and not die” (Gen. xlii, 2, and xliii, 1); and that the famine was great in the land and yet they had such great herds of cattle of various kinds, which besides meat produces other foods, such as milk, butter and cheese, etc., and yet it was counted a sore affliction.
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