Faith in Captivity: The Resilience of Mary Rowlandson

In Mary Rowlandson’s piece titled The Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, she recounts her time being held captive by Native Americans. She describes the horrors of her period of captivity throughout the narrative. Rowlandson draws connections during her captivity between herself and God’s disciples, which helps to keep her hope alive through her torment. Rowlandson’s strong faith in Christianity is shown during the whole piece, even including quotes from the Bible. Rowlandson is a true and pure Puritan to the core in her writing and her everyday life. Throughout her poem, Rowlandson uses figurative language to help in the comparison of the bible to her situation. Christianity gave her hope throughout her darkest days while being held captive. Without her strong faith and belief in God, Rowlandson would not have survived her time as a captive.

Rowlandson was a pure puritan and like any puritan writer, she chose to write about her religious beliefs, hardships, and God. During her captivity, which she writes about, her faith never breaks. In February of 1675, Rowlandson’s small town was invaded by Native Americans who captured twenty-four people and destroyed the town. She was separated from

At one point in the story Rowlandson says, “About two hours in the night, my sweet babe like a lamb departed this life, on February 18, 1675” (Rowlandson). Rowlandson is using figurative language to remind the reader of the youth of the child and also of the religious connection between a lamb and Jesus. She also uses vivid imagery to paint the picture of what her captivity was like. She often refers to the Native Americans’ ways as heathen or barbarous, she even compares them to the devil. When she refers to herself though, she uses much nicer terms. Rowlandson also uses allusions to the Bible to reveal the nature and behavior of her