Customer Reviews

Mary Dyer: Biography of a Rebel Quaker

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The execution of Mary Dyer is an unfortunate but important part of the early history of the American colonies. She is still a relatively unknown historical figure. I was eager to read this book, and my Quaker meeting's first day school group for adolescents read it together as well. I wanted very much to think highly of it, but it frustrated me, for some of the reasons given in the editorial review. I feel that it isn't sufficiently scholarly or serious--it often reads like a middle school social studies text, and I think Mary Dyer, in all of her own frustrating complexity, deserves better.

This is an excellent book about somebody to whom all Americans are indebted. We could benefit from her being less overlooked in our history. The title might require an explanation: Mary Dyer could perhaps be called a rebel in relation to the ruling party in early colonial Boston, but not in relation to other Quakers after she became a Quaker.

I would not call the book "plodding" at all. Mary Dyer's life is a story almost too moving for words. The story is not fiction. In fiction, the telling is the thing, and by the rules we cannot understand anything at odds with the telling itself. But the events of this story actually happened, to be understood from the unembellished facts.

I recently began rereading this book. It is simply not as bad as the criticsm may indicate, especially in view of how little there is in print about Mary Dyer, who may well be the most important martyr for religious freedom in American history.

The word "antinomian" deserves more elucidation than the author provides. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary gives two definitions: 1. one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation, and 2. one who rejects a socially established morality. This word has its uses; the underlying issues are at least as old as the Epistles. Wanting to do away with the adjective itself as completely useless could be an indication of exactly what the adjective is about. As with any other adjective, the issue is whether the adjective rightly applies. Mary Dyer was among those accused of antinomianism in Boston, but they were far from being guilty of true antinomiansim, which might be called, after the Epistle of Jude, licentiousness in the name of grace.

I grew up in one of the towns through which Mary Dyer repeatedly passed both while being ejected from Massachusetts and while sneaking back into the intolerant theocracy that was Massachusetts Bay Colony. Later I crossed daily, on the way to work, the very land that she and her husband farmed in Newport, the city of their exile. Despite my Massachusetts public education about the pilgrims of Plymouth and the witch burnings of Salem, the state failed to teach me and my fellow students about the woman who should be remembered as the catalyst for the self implosion of that puritan theocracy and the birth of religious liberty, not only in the United States, but in the Western world. Mary Dyer was a true martyr every bit as courageous as Gandhi and Martin Luther King Junior. We all owe her a debt of gratitude. Had I not read this book, I would have remained ignorant of this heroic woman.

As for the book itself, the author shows her inexperience with writing in her less than smooth prose and apparent unawareness of the ignorance of her audience. Some names of key players come up without needed introduction. She seems to believe that her readers can read the occasional French quotes without translation. This and many other flaws may discourage some readers, but the story itself is a beautiful and moving story well worth the effort of wading though the various defects of its telling. In a sense, I would expect this story to be told by a novice, for the professional writer most often writes for the masses and the masses are sadly unaware of the story of this beautiful woman.

For the sake of having read this book, I've found a true hero. I recommend that you read it and then think about how this strong, intelligent, and independent woman changed your life more than 350 years ago.

I would imagine that anybody reading this will recognize the name Joan of Arc, but do you know the name of Mary Dyer? Perhaps the Catholic Church has a better publicist than other Christian sects (LOL), else we should surely know more about what happened to Mary Dyer and others who lived in the early 1600s and were early settlers in America...

Where Mary Dyer, the only woman, and other men were also murdered--hanged--because of their beliefs...

Most of us know that freedom of religion was a major issue in America's founding principles. We do not, however, know the level of intolerance and the hatred that was placed on many individuals during that time. In fact, it is a sad commentary that intolerance of our beliefs has been and continues to be a major issue in our world...

I, for one, was totally appalled by what happened during the early years in America. On the other hand, reading these historical facts was spiritually enriching to me. Ruth Plimpton has created one of the best historically significant books I've had the honor to read.

It is fascinating to consider that many "left England with their own unshakable beliefs and, once in New England, created laws to get rid of anyone who did not conform with their religious interpretations." (p. 11)

Mary and her husband William were just one couple who traveled to America. For Mary, especially, there was a personal spiritual journey that led her ultimately to leave her husband's presence (although still married) and travel to learn more about what she believed. Ultimately, she became a Quaker and it was her faith that led her to accept death rather than to reject what she had grown to believe.

While William never did become a Quaker, he never stopped loving Mary. He also fought his own battle against the prejudice that was routinely leading to whippings, banishment, and even death. Against the background of religious upheaval, we find that much of New England was being expanded to the South and new communities were springing up either with support and charter by England or, initially, by sale of land to the settlers by the Indians.

The main area of intolerance was located in Boston where Puritan law had been firmly established and based entirely on the Old Testament, "as interpreted by the magistrates and ministers of the colony." All civil law derived from the church. One of the better known men who questioned what was happening was Roger Williams when he refused to take an oath of loyalty to the Colony.

It was the women of the colony who first began what was to lead to the first major division. Mary Dyer had a friend by the name of Anne Hutchinson. Of course, much was denied women at that time, so while doing the duties that were considered "women's work"; i.e., to fetch water, "bucket by bucket, day after day" the spring became a natural meeting place for them to talk. Many times, the discussion centered on what they had been most recently taught in church.

But then Anne Hutchinson opened her home for more indepth discussions. Soon those discussions were drawing women from all surrounding areas...and men began to attend! Those who had attended these gatherings were sharing a religion based upon "salvation by grace" and the inspirational messages were of "love, joy, and service to mankind found in the New Testament. (p. 39)

Soon, it was this group that were under attack...Many packed up and left and moved into what is now Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Reading about their living with the Indians, as well as watching a new land being developed is exciting as well as informative. The book is well written, with many relevant pictures and supporting references.

Historians...this is a must-read for you. For believers of all faith, there is a lesson to be learned from Mary Dyer and others who died so that we might today have the freedom to express our own beliefs. A truly important addition to America's historical documentation!

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GABixlerReviews@aol.com

Enjoyed the details of Mary Dyer's life and times, journey to America and life experiences.

My heart is so touched by this lady's life. I think it deserves a movie about an amazing historical figure. She never gave up!!