John Carver Character Analysis in Of Plymouth Plantation

John Carver is an English separatist and an important business contact for the Leyden branch of the separatist movement. He’s instrumental in organizing an agreement with the Virginia Company and obtaining a ship, the Mayflower, to bring the Pilgrims to the New World. Carver is later chosen as the Pilgrims’ first governor, but he dies of disease while the colony is still in its infancy.

John Carver Character Timeline in Of Plymouth Plantation

The timeline below shows where the character John Carver appears in Of Plymouth Plantation. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Debt and Religious Capitalism Theme Icon

...guesses that the Leyden congregation never received Cushman’s reply (it was probably intercepted by John Carver for fear of offending the congregants). However, Cushman sends another, milder letter, clarifying that he’s... (full context)

Another problem arises midway: the congregants’ two primary contacts stationed in England, John Carver and Robert Cushman, begin to disagree with their other contact, Mr. Martin. Martin argues that... (full context)

...that God will protect them. Within a few days they’ve sailed to Southampton, England, where Carver and Cushman have found ships to take them to America. (full context)

...a governor for the greater good of the colony itself. The Pilgrims then choose John Carver, “a godly man,” to become their first governor. (full context)

The colony experiences a setback when Governor Carver becomes ill and dies. William Bradford is then chosen governor, despite the fact that he’s... (full context)

...also comes to the Plymouth colony bearing a letter from Weston to the now deceased Carver. In the letter, Weston berates Carver for failing to send back any cargo or payment... (full context)

The boat brings another letter from Weston to John Carver, explaining that many of the “adventurers” (i.e., investors) have been convinced to invest more money... (full context)

...receives a third letter from Weston, this one addressed to him. Weston, now aware that Carver is dead, explains to Bradford that he has sold his shares in the Virginia Company,... (full context)