American Literature

Essay #1

Please write a three to four page, double-spaced (with one inch margins) essay on one of the 

following themes. Please use Times New Roman 12pt font, and do not include a separate title 

page. Instead, simply include the following in the upper left hand corner of the first page: your 

name, my name, the course number, and the date on separate lines, double-spacing between the 

lines. Double-space again and center the 

title

of your essay. Do not underline or italicize your 

title, and 

number

your pages. If you have any questions, or would like me to look at an early 

draft of your essay, either stop by during office hours or email me by Tuesday, 10/16. Essays 

must be submitted to Canvas by midnight on Thursday, 10/18. Please note that this is not the due 

date listed on the syllabus. See the syllabus for the course policy on late papers.

1. How does Mary Rowlandson craft her experiences as an Indian captive to show that she is one 

of God’s elect? More broadly, how does she portray the superiority of the Puritans over all other 

social groups and lifeways?