Mary Rowlandson's Narrative

518 Words2 Pages

In the twenty-first century seeing a narrative or a story written by a woman is common, but during Mary Rowlandson’s time it was extremely rare. The rarity and realism of Rowlandson’s narrative is why her piece is still being read today. Throughout the narrative one can feel Rowlandson’s physical pain and heartache but when many gave up, Mary Rowlandson persevered. Despite the grotesque violence and extreme loss that Rowlandson faces, she rises from her trial as a stronger woman and more dedicated servant to God then she has ever been. The narrative opens up to an intense and bloody battle scene that immediately captivates the reader’s attention. Rowlandson goes into great detail of the dread and horror taking place in the opening scene that one can almost feel like they are actually there. The crippling fear and panic of the situation is captured in her words when she says, “Now might we hear mothers and children crying out for …show more content…

Throughout the entire passage references to the Bible and God are beautifully intertwined into her tragic story. At one of Rowlandson’s darkest moments, when her child dies in her arms, instead of turning her back on her faith she is reassured by it saying, “I have thought since of the wonderful goodness of God to me in preserving me in the use of my reason and senses in that distressed time, that I did not use wicked and violent means to end my own miserable life” (Baym 132). All of the terrible things that happen to Rowlandson helps her to grow closer to God. She doubts and she wavers in her faith, but she never stops believing. Once, during the Third Remove, she got close to giving up, but she was reassured by, “…the wonderful mercy of God to me in those afflictions, in sending me a Bible” (Baym 133). Even though Rowlandson faced hardships, she had enough moments that reaffirmed her faith and helped her to continue in her

Open Document