Mary White Rowlandson's account of her experience as a prisoner of the Algonkian Indians is one of the earliest and well known "captivity narratives," with over thirty editions published to date; yet, the depth of Rowlandson's narrative reaches far beyond the narrow definitions of that genre. It is impossible to overlook the staggering number of biblical metaphors, scriptural quotations, and obvious Puritanical paradigm. Indeed, at times it appears as though Mrs. Rowlandson is going to great lengths to demonstrate her faith and piety—often to the point where the line between "narrative" and "sermon" is somewhat obscured. The central theme of this narrative is not limited to merely being held prisoner by the Algonkian tribe; rather, Rowlandson contemplates her situation on a much larger scale, and always in relation to Divine Providence.
The mood and direction is evident from the beginning of the Preface (most likely composed by Congregationalist Increase Mather), referring to......
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