Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647

Who does Bradford say he is writing his account for? How might this have affected his choices about which events to relate, and how?

Discuss the way in which Bradford uses letters in Of Plymouth Plantation. Why might he include them so often?

Consider Robinson's parting letter to the Pilgrims. To what extent do you think they follow his advice?

Of Plymouth Plantation features many "characters," but contains very little information about their personal lives or even (in many cases) their personalities. One exception to this is William Brewster, whom Bradford describes at length in a kind of eulogy. Why might he have singled out Brewster for this treatment, and what does the profile add to the overall narrative?

Discuss the role that the private settlers in Plymouth play in Bradford's account. How does his depiction of them intersect with the novel's themes?

Financial matters loom large in Of Plymouth Plantation. How do economic pressures shape life in Plymouth over the years?

Describe Bradford's attitudes toward the various Native American tribes near Plymouth. Do these attitudes change over the course of his account? If so, how?

In what ways do the Pilgrims' religious beliefs shape the kind of community they build in Plymouth? In what ways (if any) does that community diverge from their religious convictions?