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Puritan Writing · English Literature

What was the purpose of the 'Jeremiad' in Puritan oratory and literature?

  1. To celebrate the arrival of a new child into the community
  2. To lament the decline of religious devotion and call for reform
  3. To provide seasonal instructions for successful farming in New England
  4. To document the translation of the Bible into Native American languages
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Correct answer: To lament the decline of religious devotion and call for reform

Named after the prophet Jeremiah, the Jeremiad is a rhetorical form that lists the sins of a people and warns of impending divine judgment. It was used to maintain social and religious discipline in the colonies.

Difficulty: Medium Question 10 of 20

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