Both Arthurian legend characters, and Puritan settlers had a lot in common. They both had many hardships and milestones, however they also accomplished great advances for their kingdom or homeland. The most prominent of the similarities was, they were always seeking religion. Secondly, there was always a helping hand being lent to both groups of people. Religion was a very important part to both groups of peoples. In Arthurian legend for example the search for the Holy Grail was a constant quest for better understanding of religion, in which only the purest of knights would succeed.
Puritan literature took a rather different approach, but was persistent in the same manor as in Arthurian legend. They decided that the only way to worship their “Pure” religion was to migrate to a different land, no matter what the cost or outcome of their actions would bring. Mary Rowlandson was one such Puritan always dedicated to her Christian faith especially in times of crisis. Even when she and her family were abducted from their home village, she always had a bible quote or verse handy to comfort her during the situation. A helping hand seemed to always be key to Arthurian legend and Puritan literature. Arthur became king when he pulled the sword from the stone and needed guidance from someone who was not new to the busyness.
Merlin the wizard of the time was named caretaker and overseer of the new king. The puritans sailed to a whole new land where every thing was strange and foreign. Either Merlin was helping King Arthur, or the Native Americans were helping the Puritan settlers become aquatinted with there new land and living conditions. A little knowledge and a strong religion equal a powerful combination as shown in Arthurian legend and Puritan literature. The point to be made is that with a little guidance, and a common faith, most any obstacle can be overcome.
The Essay on Indiana Jones Arthurian Aronstein Legend
"'Not Exactly a Knight'": Arthurian Narrative and Recuperative Politics in the Indiana Jones Trilogy" written by Susan Aronstein is an in depth analysis of the Indiana Jones trilogy in reference to the Arthurian legend. Throughout the essay, Aronstein relates how the trilogy mirrors those elements outlined by the Arthurian legend. Though her essay is lengthy and hard to follow sometimes, it is ...
