Question 6

6. The children of the Pilgrims were regarded in their own time as “the degenerate plant of a strange vine,” unworthy of the legacy and sacrifices of their mothers and fathers (p. 198). Why did they acquire (and largely accept) this reputation? Was it deserved? Were the denunciations of the second generation a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy?

The 2nd Generation Pilgrims were, like many youth, rebellious. However, it was not so much an active change as opposed to a passive one. Slowly, they became to see material wealth as the better of spiritual wealth. What resulted was a breakdown in the fundamentals of Pilgrim society; changes within their infalliable church occurred and behavior towards the Indians changed as well.

I honestly think that proclaiming the fact that these children will never be as good had something to do with the change in behavior. I mean, come on.. How would you feel if, while you were growig up, you were always told you would never be good enough? To answer the question, I do think it was a self-fulfilling prophesy.