Primary Source Document Reflection

1. What did you learn about life in the colonies from reading this document?
Marriage was a very important (and religious) part of every household. The document stressed the importance of a loving marriage (being "kind, gentle, and tender" to one another). It stated that any argument or dispute between married couples was considered a deed of the Devil; that in conflict was the Devil's success. They called it "God's will" for every married couple to be happy and work well together.

2. What surprised you the most about what you read?
I suppose what surprised me the most was how forced the people were to be in a "perfect" relationship (an unattainably perfect relationship). The document described how the men were to govern the women fairly, and the women were to be cheerful and accepting of this ruling. I'm surprised with how strictly governed every emotion was in a marriage.


3. Compare and contrast the differences between American life today and life for Americans during the colonial era.
There are a great many differences between married couples in the colonial era and today. For one thing, husbands are no longer entitled to govern their wives. Marriages are freer (especially with the option of divorce) and more open for each person. There aren't any rules that govern married couples as far as religion and emotion go.