The time period in which Puritan literature was written can also be called as Colonial American or Early American Period. It didn't really have a specific genre because they didn't write fiction: only nonfiction and poetry. Hope this answers the question.
They were afraid and worried. They didn't want harm to come to them.
Huxley is commenting that most people in society prefer to live in "happy ignorance" as opposed to having knowledge. The stars, or truth, are "depressing."
This is because that many find the truth upsetting and would prefer to live in the dark. Huxley is saying that for many, ignorance is bliss.
