Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford Excerpts from Book 2
Of Plymouth Plantation Excerpts from Ch. 9 and Book 2 ~ Breaking Down Complex Sentences: What is he saying? ~ Directions: Bradford writes in a very complex style. Breaking down sentences will help readers understand the concepts and ideas he is trying to express. Use the graphic organizer to break down sentences and paraphrase his message. When appropriate, answer the text-dependent questions with evidence to support your response. 1. Paragraph 1 (p. 59) After they had enjoyed fair winds and weather for a season, they were encountered many times with crosswinds, and met with many fierce storms, with which the ship was shrewdly shaken, and her upper works made very leaky; and one of the main beams in the mid ships was bowed and cracked, which put them in some fear that the ship could not be able to perform the voyage. 2. How does William Bradford alleviate the fears of the passengers? 3. What happened to John Howland? Describe his fate in detail. 4. How did they determine the best place to dock the ship?
5. Paragraph 2 (p. 60) Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the fast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element. 6. Upon successful completion of the perilous voyage, what did Bradford notice about the situation? 7. What two major difficulties did the pilgrims face after landing at Plymouth? 8. In your own words, what did Bradford feel the children of the fathers should say? 9. from Book 2 (p. 61) In these hard and difficult beginnings, they found some discontents and murmurings arise amongst some, and mutinous speeches and carriages in others; but they were soon quelled and overcome by the wisdom, patience, and just and equal carriage of things by the Governor and better part, which cleaved faithfully together in the main.
10. What lamentable event occurs? What does this suggest about his morals? 11. How does Bradford describe those not afflicted by disease? What do they do? What does this suggest about work ethic and the value of a human life? 12. Why does Bradford reflect upon the Lord when describing the seven well? 13. Last Paragraph (p. 62) But now amongst his company there was far another kind of carriage in this misery then amongst the passengers; for they that had been boon companions in drinking and jollity in the time of their health and welfare began now to desert one another in this calamity, saying they would not hazard their lives for them, they should be infected by coming to help them in their cabins, and so, after they came home to die by it, would do little to nothing for them, but if they died let them die. 14. How does Bradford s tone change when talking about the health of the crew of the ship? Why is this significant? 15. Bradford speaks of one crew member who treated the sick passengers terribly. How did the passengers treat him when he fell ill? What does this say about their morality?
16. At first, what seems to be the relationship between the Pilgrims and the Indians? 17. end of p. 63 He became profitable to them in acquainting them with many thing concerning the state of the country in the east parts where he lived, which was afterwards profitable unto them; as also of the people here, of their names, number, and strength; of their situation and distance from this place, and who was chief amongst them. 18. Who is Samoset? How has he come to speak English? 19. Who is Squanto? 20. What does Samoset do to be helpful toward the Pilgrims? 21. In your own words, what were the six principles on which the Indians and Pilgrims made peace? That neither he nor any of his should injure or do hurt to any of their people. That if any of his did hurt to any of theirs, he should send the offender, that they might punish him.
That if anything were taken away from any of theirs, he should cause it to be restored; and they should do the like to his. If any did unjustly war against him, they would aid him; if any did war against them, he should aid them. He should send to his neighbors confederates to certify them of this, that they might not wrong them, but might be likewise comprised in the conditions of peace. That when their men came to them, they should leave their bows and arrows behind them. 22. How are the morals, values, and beliefs of the Pilgrims evident in these agreements? 23. What happened to Squanto? How did the Pilgrims feel about him? 24. Based on the end of this excerpt, how did the Pilgrims end out with the season?
25. Writing Task: Select one of the two questions and write a thorough response providing the answer and citing evidence to support your claim. Option A: What message is Bradford trying to convey in this narrative? Option B: How are the Pilgrims values and beliefs evident in the ways they respond to problems?
Constructed Response Rubric: Score 0 No response, the response does not address the prompt, or the response does is not written in paragraph form. Score 2 Fulfills only 1 of 4 requirements of a level 4 performance Score 4 Fulfills 2 of 4 requirements of a level 4 performance Score 6 Fulfills 3 of 4 requirements of a level 4 performance Score 8 Clearly and coherently identifies the topic and response to the topic given in the prompt; Explicitly states American values found in the text; Supports answer with one relevant example from the text; Supports answer with a second relevant example from the text