Writers are characterised by three elements. These factors are style, tone, and purpose. William Byrd and William Bradford were two colonial writers even though they took absolutely opposite strategies toward writing. During these times, journals, diaries, and sermons made up the literature.
Byrd and Bradford were no exceptions with their works of A History of the Dividing Line and Of Plymouth Plantation respectively. Whether it was the difference in writing styles, the alternative purposes for writing the stories, or simply each writer’s tone, their ideas were far from corresponding to one an alternative. One difference between Bradford and Byrd was their writing styles. Bradford used the plain style to record and to explain his account of the New World. Plain style writing is the variety of writing used by the Puritans.
This writing style tended to steer clear of figures of speech and tried to maintain it plain, simple and right to the purpose. A great instance is when the settlers first arrived and Bradford noted that the folk “had now no chums to welcome them nor inns to entertain or refresh their climate beaten bodies; no houses or much less towns to repair to, to search for succor” 31. This remark defined how challenging it was to reach to such a barren land even in any case the hardships assail. Bradford did a superb job in his writings to give the genuine and accurate accounts of what took place. On the other hand, Byrd wrote his belief of the New World in sharp evaluation to the writing sort of Bradford.
Byrd used types of ridicule to record his account of what came about in the recent colonies. A classic instance of this method was when Byrd called the sudden immigration of folks to the New World a “modish frenzy” 50. This observation shows that Byrd concept it to be just a trendy fad to start a life in the New World. Byrd wrote using his own perception of colonial life and fight, therefore making it less traditionally accurate than Bradford’s writings. These two styles characterized each man and greatly attributed to the massive comparison in their writing choice.
One of the three elements that characterised both writers was purpose. A large comparison in the writings of Byrd and Bradford was the aim for which they were written. The main reason that Bradford wrote his story was to inform the reader in regards to the hardships and struggles of Puritan life in the NewWorld. He also wrote his story to show God’s hand of their stories. Many Biblical references to God such as, “but they cried unto the Lord, and He heard their voice and looked on their adversity” 31, were used in his writing for this very reason.
This as well as many other religious references showed how much of an impact religion had on the Puritans. Bradford wanted to convey this dependence on and impact of God and faith throughout his writings. Byrd’s writing was more biased and opinionated as a result of he wrote it to amuse the reader. The last contrast between Byrd and Bradford was their perspective or tone towards the discipline they wrote about. In “Of Plymouth Plantation”, Bradford used a serious tone. His tone remained simple and independent throughout the tale.
The undeniable fact that he chose to use this tone is as a result of Bradford was a very devout man that carefully followed the Puritan lifestyle. Most of all, he wanted to record the real money owed of what took place with out mixing private thoughts or ideas with fact. On the alternative hand, Byrd used a very satirical and humorous tone. This satirical tone was conveyed across his entire story. An incredible instance of satirical writing was when Byrd defined how colonists were too lazy to plant their own crops, so as an alternative they “were forced to take more pains to seek for wild fruits in the woods than they might have taken in tilling the floor” 52. This quote by Byrd sincerely showed his frustration with the colonists very.
Byrd’s tone differed from Bradford’s, as a result of Byrd’s story was never meant to be an accurate historical account of colonial times. Byrd possessed various feelings toward concerns that took place, and this dramatically changed his tone.