This is no romantic fiction. Hundreds in that day resisted all that solicits earthly passions, and sacrificed all that gratifies them, to the cause of God and of man—the cause of liberty and religion. This cause was not to their eyes invested with any romantic attractions. It was not assisted by the illusions of chivalry, nor magnified by the spiritual power and renown of crusades. Our fathers neither had, nor expected their reward on earth.”
-- Narrator (Volume I, Chapter I)

Importance: This direct address to the reader functions to establish the Puritans’ mission in moving to New England. Sedgwick seeks to impress upon the citizens of the growing and legitimized American state of Massachusetts the conviction of the Puritans and the hardships they endured. This conviction is attributed to “the cause of liberty and religion,” two of the novel’s main themes. In direct contrast to Sir Philip’s agenda, the Puritans do not have...