Virtues, Violence, and Passion of the Puritans.

In this argument, Westerkamp enters a broader scholarly conversation - also addressed in Fitzgerald's study - as to the power balance between laity and clergy in early New England. Through the lens of cultural and feminist theory, Westerkamp reconstructs Hutchinson's world by exploring both the source of Hutchinson's knowledge and piety as well as the power of her charismatic authority. Westerkamp writes of her subject with historical compassion and nuance, asserting Hutchinson's spiritual influence and leadership while also showing her importance to the overall history of early colonial New England. Fitzgerald, Romeo, and Westerkamp thus engage with both longstanding and recent debates about Puritanism and gender. [Extracted from the article]