Mary Rowlandson The Sovereignty And Goodness Of God Summary

Mary Rowlandson, a Puritan woman with a strong religious ethic was captured by the Indians or as she describes them “savages” during the King Phillips war. Mary was faced with severe amount of pain and suffering and was held hostage and stripped away from her basic necessities. Her children were also captured and separated from her, sold or bought by other Indians. Throughout her narrative “The Sovereignty and goodness of God” Mary dealt with unremarkable sufferings however, she remained sanguine about the difficulties she encountered, portraying her hardship and misfortunes as a test from God. After Mary survives the terrible conditions she feels blessed and very thankful that she has finally escaped those treacherous Indians and has returned
Lord had given them their daughter free of cost whereas the Indians told her she would have to buy her for no less than twenty pounds. Mary was filled with gratitude after having her children near her. The Rowlandson’s then moved around where Mary states, her God went with her and provided for her through their benevolent friends. She tries to convince herself that after receiving everything she could ask for she was content with life. However Mary mentions she was not at peace. “I can remember the time, when I used to sleep quietly without workings in my thoughts, whole nights together, but now it is the other ways with me.” This sentence again opposes her perspective of remaining thankful to God no matter what. “Lord towards us; upon his wonderful power and might, in carrying of us through so many difficulties, in returning us in safety, and suffering none.”(Page 111) Why was she still suffering her, remembering all the awful physical and mental pain she encountered during her capture? Mary Rowlandson in a way tries to stay faithful to her God, trying to avoid all the pain she is going through even after her