Settlement at Plymouth Plantation

Of Plymouth Plantation, a chronicle by William Bradford was written to give some information and insight on the pilgrim's arrival in the new world. Some main key ideas in the text, Of Plymouth Plantation, are that god protected them as they crossed the ocean looking for a new place to settle and how their opinion of the natives changed throughout their time there.

William Bradford believed that god guided and protected them on their long journey to settle. Bradford states, “ Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell over their knees and blessed the god of heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean…” This is an important key idea because it shows exactly how they felt about god and when they landed. The author develops this idea by giving details of how they acted by saying, “they fell over their knees and blessed the god of heaven…”

Throughout this chronicle, the author displays a clear change view of the natives. For example the author writes, “They began now to gather in small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwelling against winter, being as well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty.” This is an important idea because it shows how their views started changing and how they started to adapt to their new lives in this land. At the beginning, they were unsure of who or what the they would meet. They were very cautious of the natives, but over time they began to trust the natives and in return the natives trusted them.

The settlers traveled a long way to have these great experiences. They believe that their god protected them on their journey and when they were settling. Their views changed quickly about the natives. In turn, these events helped progress and change the settlement in the new world.