Wayward Puritans cover

Wayward Puritans

by Kai T. Erikson

"Kai T. Erikson uses the Puritan settlement in 17th-century Massachusetts as a setting in which to examine several ideas about deviant behavior in society. Combining sociology and history, the author draws on the records of the Bay Colony to illustrate the way in which deviant behavior fits in the texture of social life generally." "The main argument of Wayward Puritans is that deviant forms of behavior are often a valuable resource in society, providing a point of contrast, which is necessary for the maintenance of a coherent social order. In a new Afterword, the author offers new conclusions, fresh insights, and noteworthy reflections on his work and its impact forty years after its original publication."--Jacket.

More by Kai T. Erikson

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?