Anne Hutchinson Scapegoat Analysis
Anne Hutchinson: Scapegoat
Imagine being sent away in disgust from a society founded on the ideals of religious freedom for practicing just that. In 1638, Anne Hutchinson was expelled from the Massachusetts Bay colony for spread of independent theology amongst men and women outside of her expected submissive societal role. Anne Hutchinson worked to better understand her religion as an independent mind, which resulted in her exile and exemplifies the negative responsiveness to woman existing outside of submissive roles at the time.
Ahead of Her Time
In 1634, Anne Hutchinson left England with her family to follow Reverend John Cotton to New England. In Massachusetts Bay, Hutchinson worked as a nurse-midwife but she was also known for being a spiritual advisor. Soon after adjusting to her new home, Hutchinson began to hold weekly meetings with women in her colony. The meetings were held to discuss/review the previous Sunday’s sermon. Hutchinson’s meetings started of small but soon came to have at least sixty regular attendees per week that included both men and women of the colony. Until John Wilson …show more content…
By the end of the sermon, Wheelwright effectively called for charges to be brought up against Anne Hutchinson. In the Fall of 1637 Hutchinson was brought to trial. She was put on trial for her theological views and engaging in roles outside of those assigned to women at the time.
Governor John Winthrop, acting as prosecutor, outlined the charges: "Mrs. Hutchinson, you are called here as one of those that have troubled the peace … you have spoken of divers[e] things … very prejudicial to the honour of the churches and ministers thereof, and you have maintained a meeting … that hath been condemned … as a thing not tolerable nor comely in the sight of God nor fitting for your sex." (Cullen-DuPont,
Imagine being sent away in disgust from a society founded on the ideals of religious freedom for practicing just that. In 1638, Anne Hutchinson was expelled from the Massachusetts Bay colony for spread of independent theology amongst men and women outside of her expected submissive societal role. Anne Hutchinson worked to better understand her religion as an independent mind, which resulted in her exile and exemplifies the negative responsiveness to woman existing outside of submissive roles at the time.
Ahead of Her Time
In 1634, Anne Hutchinson left England with her family to follow Reverend John Cotton to New England. In Massachusetts Bay, Hutchinson worked as a nurse-midwife but she was also known for being a spiritual advisor. Soon after adjusting to her new home, Hutchinson began to hold weekly meetings with women in her colony. The meetings were held to discuss/review the previous Sunday’s sermon. Hutchinson’s meetings started of small but soon came to have at least sixty regular attendees per week that included both men and women of the colony. Until John Wilson …show more content…
By the end of the sermon, Wheelwright effectively called for charges to be brought up against Anne Hutchinson. In the Fall of 1637 Hutchinson was brought to trial. She was put on trial for her theological views and engaging in roles outside of those assigned to women at the time.
Governor John Winthrop, acting as prosecutor, outlined the charges: "Mrs. Hutchinson, you are called here as one of those that have troubled the peace … you have spoken of divers[e] things … very prejudicial to the honour of the churches and ministers thereof, and you have maintained a meeting … that hath been condemned … as a thing not tolerable nor comely in the sight of God nor fitting for your sex." (Cullen-DuPont,