New English Canaan

By Thomas Morton

Book Overview

In "The New English Canaan," Thomas Morton presents a provocative narrative that challenges the Puritanical vision of the New World through a unique blend of travelogue, satire, and social commentary. Set against the backdrop of 17th-century colonial America, Morton depicts the struggles between the European settlers and the indigenous tribes, all while elaborating on the joys of the natural environment and the perils of religious extremism. His vivid prose and engaging anecdotes offer readers a rare glimpse into the complexities of early American life, highlighting the tension between civilization and nature, as well as the conflicting moralities of settler society. Thomas Morton, an English tavern keeper and an outspoken critic of Puritan orthodoxy, found himself at odds with the rigid, conformist values of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. His experiences among the indigenous populations, as well as his own libertine lifestyle, significantly informed his perspectives on community, governance, and individual freedom. Morton's fundamental belief in a more inclusive and tolerant society is woven throughout the text, positioning him as an early advocate of cultural pluralism in America. This seminal work is essential for readers interested in early American literature, colonial history, or cultural studies. Morton's nuanced exploration of identity, authority, and nature calls for reflection on contemporary societal values, making "The New English Canaan" a compelling read for anyone eager to delve into the foundations of American democracy and the struggles against tyranny.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1429045663
• ISBN13: 9781429045667
• Release Date: January 2011
• Publisher: Applewood Books
• Length: 132 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

About This Book

"How did this vigorous Elizabethan, born to the "outdoors culture" of England's West Country, become America's most controversial early colonist?" "What classical and country traditions inspired Morton's notorious New English Canaan -- a perceptive, witty, and often slapstick portrait, in prose and poetry, of Native New England peoples, land, creatures, and colonists? Was this first colonial "criminal" America's first poet in English?" This edition was created from and textually-collated with all known copies in the world. Additionally in this book, one finds illustrations, a chronology, an introduction, a "sampler" of commentary on Morton's writing, glossary, index. Additionally, over 40 pp of bibliographic information. Trade paperback, 411 pp.

Morton: ahead of his time

Morton is readable and approachable...until you come upon his allegorical poetry. Dr. Jack Dempsey has unlocked the dense stanzas of Morton. I first encountered Morton years ago and dismissed him as did almost every major New England historian. Not Dempsey. Through his scholarship 'mine eyes have been opened'. Morton loved New England in a very modern sense. His relationship to the Indians and the environment are worth studying. Morton was trained in Latin and understood the mythological figures. Morton related those ancient figures to the circumstances of the 1620's and 1630's. Morton stands in stark contrast to his neighbors twenty five miles away: the Pilgrims at New Plimoth. Adventure, Compassion, Courage...it is all there. Bravo Jack Dempsey!

Provocative and informative

Thomas Morton's life and influence on early America is under appreciated.In a very entertaining section of the book Dempsey reveals how Morton has been received during the course of our history.Dempsey brings to life the ebullient,prickly,roguish character that Morton was.I learned a great deal about the politics of colonial religious life especially as it effected Native Americans. Of course this influence is still with us today and Dempsey's exegesis on this subject is powerful and persuasive.This book is scholarly but also lots of naughty fun.