The Lord Of Misrule (Throwback)

Written between 1630 and 1651, 'Of Plymouth Plantation' is a comprehensive narrative by William Bradford that chronicles the history of the Pilgrims from their settlement in the Dutch Republic in 1608 to their voyage on the Mayflower and the subsequent establishment and growth of the Plymouth Colony until 1647. The book details the hardships faced by the colonists, their interactions with Native Americans, the development of the Mayflower Compact, and the challenges of building a new society in the New World. It also includes Bradford's reflections on the biblical significance of their journey and the struggles they endured. The account is considered a vital historical document for understanding colonial America and the foundations of the Plymouth Colony.

The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is set in 17th-century Boston and revolves around Hester Prynne, a young woman who is publicly shamed for committing adultery. She is forced to wear a scarlet letter 'A' on her clothing as a symbol of her sin. The novel delves into themes of guilt, sin, redemption, and the strict moral codes of the Puritan community. Hester's husband, Roger Chillingworth, seeks revenge against her lover, Arthur Dimmesdale, a local minister who is wracked with guilt over his secret sin. The story explores the psychological and emotional suffering of the characters, ultimately leading to a dramatic public confession by Dimmesdale and the subsequent consequences for all involved. The novel is a classic moral study and a masterpiece of American literature, critiquing the hypocrisy and rigid moral standards of the Puritan society.

In *Beat the Devil*, David Hare reflects on his own experience contracting COVID-19 in early 2020, a time marked by uncertainty and lack of information about the disease. The play, which premiered at London's Bridge Theatre in August 2020, captures the rage, urgency, and ultimate recovery from the illness. It is a historically profound monologue that revisits the societal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a personal and intimate perspective on a global crisis.

Published in 1637, *New English Canaan* was written by Thomas Morton to support his lawsuit against the Massachusetts Bay Company and to revoke their charter. The book is divided into three volumes: the first describes the history, beliefs, and practices of the Native Americans; the second details the natural history of the region; and the third criticizes the treatment of the New World by the Puritans and separatists. Morton's work was highly critical of the Puritan social order and their exploitation of the land and Indigenous populations. It was banned by the Puritans and only a few copies survived, but it has since become a classic of Colonial American history and literature.

In this book, Peter C. Mancall delves into the life of Thomas Morton, an Anglican lawyer who found himself at odds with the Puritan community in early New England. The narrative explores Morton's legal battles, his interactions with Native Americans, and the broader cultural and religious tensions of the time. Mancall's work provides a detailed historical context and sheds light on the complexities of early American society.

The story, first published in 1836, revolves around the Merrymount Colony, where the inhabitants celebrate a wedding with a may-pole dance. Their festivities are disrupted by John Endicott and his Puritan followers, who impose their strict rules and suppress the colonists' freedom and individuality. Hawthorne satirizes both the Merry Mounters and the Puritans, exploring the ongoing tension between personal freedom and civic responsibility.