A Puritan Point of View

Lucy Apsley Hutchinson's Memoirs is a personal record of the life of her husband, Colonel John Hutchinson and her writing gives the reader a glimpse into the world of a puritan family. The narrative reflects the relationship between Hutchinson and her husband as the narrator (Hutchinson) hovers in the background describing the action and dialogue of the husband. Even though Hutchinson is a silent observer, her narrative is both candid and passionate. The Memoir was meant to be a private document for her nine children and this could be the reason for its candour.

Hutchinson describes her husband as a honorable man who did not forsake her after her bout with small pox. She expresses a devotion to her husband that reflects the conduct of an age when a woman adhered to the marriage vows - love, honor, and obey. At times I felt the praise for her husband was over the top. Drawing parallels between Moses and Colonel Hutchinson, "deliver[ing] his country, groaning under spiritual and civil bondage," really pushed it over the top for me. I know she was devoted to her husband and felt she wasn't worthy "because of her impections," but this was more praise than he deserved. Hutchinson placed her husband on a pedestal, while he placed her much lower.

Colonel John Hutchinson married Lucy Apsley after she had small pox because he "was strict in the observance of his duty." There is no doubt he loved her but I found it interesting her description of the wedding sounded more like a business transaction when she states, "the thing was accomplished." It is also made clear to the reader, even though there was love in the marriage, the Colonel put himself, his religion, and his career ahead of his wife: "never was there a passion more ardent and less idolatrous; he loved her better than his life, with unexpressable tenderness and kindness, had a most high obliging esteem of her, yet still considered honour, religion, and duty above her." This would not be out of the norm for the period in which Hutchinson lived. A man's honour would be put ahead of anything else, especially a man like the Colonel; educated, puritan, military man, and member of parliament.

Whether we agree with the accolades or not, Memoirs of the Life of Colonel Hutchinson, is a testament of love and devotion and a truly unique opportunity to view life during a very turbulent time in England's history.