Question

What acts of charity and kindness during the “Starving Time” (chapter 11) would remind later Puritans of their uniqueness and their obligations to their community?

Answer 1

Answer:

The acts of charity and kindness during the "Starving Time" comprises of such acts as helping the pilgrims through their sickness and suffering, providing them with food, shelter, taking care of them. Such acts would later remind the Puritans of the uniqueness and their obligations as Christians in helping others and their own community.

Explanation:

In his "Of Plymouth Plantation," William Bradford narrates the journey and what occurs during the time of the settlement of the pilgrims when they first came to Plymouth Plantation. In particular, this record of the plantation is to focus on the Puritan's belief of Christianity and how it has helped shape the lives of the new residents.

In Chapter 11 titled "Starving Time", Governor Bradford recounts how the pilgrims were affected with diseases and also starved. But despite these misfortunes, there emerged among them some men who helped them through their ordeal. These men helped them by their acts of charity and kindness, as they "fetched them wood, made  them fires, dressed them meat, made their beds,  washed their loathsome clothes,' clothed and unclothed them: in a word, did all the homely and  necessary offices for them which dainty and  queasy stomachs cannot endure to hear named;  and all this willingly and cheerfully, without any  grudging in the least, showing herein their true  love unto their friends and brethren; a rare example and worthy to be remembered." These acts would later be reminders to the Puritans of their need to act similarly to their community and help maintain the Christian brotherly love and compassion.