Part 1 of the biography focuses on Penn's struggle with his father, Admiral Sir William Perm, and with government and church officials. Admiral Perm loves his first-born son and hopes for him to become a diplomat or other high government official. Young Penn is educated for such high office, but his turn to Quakerism ruins his father's plans.

Ironically, it is the religiously tolerant admiral who introduces his son to the Quakers by allowing the Quaker Thomas Loe to preach to the household.

The event makes a strong impression on young Penn, and Thomas Loe is later influential in Penn's conversion.

Penn's struggle with his father develops the theme of freedom of conscience or religion, but it also develops a more personal family theme: children must and will go their own way. Penn, who dearly loves his father and is hurt by his father's rejection...