Facing The New World

When they were finally in the new land Plymouth, the pilgrims (puritans) were still facing hardships. Mostly, it was about adapting with the new environment. There were several things that they were doing do accommodate and overcome the problems, and there was also an output or impact from this during-crisis struggling that last up until now which is Thanksgiving Day. Briefly, this entry will discuss what things that the puritans did to overcome and accommodate the problems occurring in the earliest days of their settlement in Plymouth. This entry will also discuss about Thanksgiving Day.

First, it seems that destiny realized the meeting of the helper and the people in need. Based on Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford, an Indian came visiting the puritans who were struggling and facing several problems in the new land. This Indian was not really good speaking English, but the puritans understood quite well. This Indian briefly inducted the puritans with several knowledge related to the new land. Then he referred the puritans to meet Squanto, an Indian who was speaking English way better. It happened to be a good relationship, and it can be said that it was beneficial friendship. Squanto was noted as a special instrument sent by God for the puritan’s good beyond their expectation. What Squanto taught included how to farm, harvest, and hunt.  He was also guiding them to places that were beneficial and profitable for the puritans. For your information, Squanto was so caring and loyal that he never left the puritans until he died. In short, to get ready facing the problems that might be occurring again near in the future, the puritans made a relationship with Indians, and they also learnt several things from the Indians.

Second, to accommodate or overcome the problems that would be facing again in the future, they did several preparations reflecting their experiences. They, as mentioned, had been learning several things and getting knowledge to get them ready from their relationship with Indians, especially from Squanto. Getting ready to face winter had the puritans preparing. For example, they harvested and gathered the harvesting earlier, fitted up their houses so that they could live against the winter. They gathered together in such a place, and they would delegate several jobs such as hunting and fishing. They somehow now lived collaboratively. This situation and condition happens to be the beginning of an occasion that last up until now, which is Thanksgiving Day. They called the gathering Thanksgiving because they were praising this occasion to thank Squanto for everything that he did to have the puritans prepared. They were enjoying the gathering having wild turkeys, corns, and everything that they were farming and producing. Here is a brief video visualizing the history of first Thanksgiving in Plymouth Plantation.

To sum up, the puritans were learning several things to face the hardships in the new world. They reflected their experience so that they could do enough preparation and get ready to live facing the problem in the new world. They learnt so much stuff from Indians and their experience. By the end of the day, they cheered up each other holding such a gathering which is now an occasion called Thanksgiving Day.