A jeremiad is a long literary work, usually in prose but sometimes in verse, in which the author bitterly laments the state of society and its morals in a tone of sustained invective, always including a prophecy of the society's imminent downfall. The term has faded over time into a general expression for lament, often used with derogatory overtones, but it holds a distinct place in American culture, rooted in Colonial-era New England Puritan writing and tied to the idea of American exceptionalism.
Facts
Place of OriginNew England, North American colonies 1 Notable ExampleSinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards 1 Defining TraitA long literary work lamenting society's morals and prophesying its downfall 1 FAQs
Why is a jeremiad called a jeremiad?
It is named after the prophet Jeremiah and the biblical books of Jeremiah and Lamentations.
The word is named after the biblical prophet Jeremiah and comes from the biblical works attributed to him, the Book of Jeremiah and the Book of Lamentations. The Book of Jeremiah chronicles the downfall of the Kingdom of Judah and asserts that it came about because its rulers had broken the covenant with the Lord. The Lamentations lament that kingdom's fall after the conquest Jeremiah prophesied had occurred.
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Source Jeremiad - Wikipedia
Sources
1. Jeremiad - Wikipedia
Lead section, New England sentence
The jeremiad has a unique presence in American culture and in the history of the United States, having roots in Colonial-era settlers in New England.
Use in American culture section
The jeremiad was a favorite literary device of the Puritans, and was used in prominent early evangelical sermons like "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards.
Lead section, definition sentence
A jeremiad is a long literary work, usually in prose, but sometimes in verse, in which the author bitterly laments the state of society and its morals in a serious tone of sustained invective, and always contains a prophecy of society's imminent downfall.
In Group: Exhortation, Instruction and Reflection, Lead
A jeremiad is a long literary work, usually in prose, but sometimes in verse, in which the author bitterly laments the state of society and its morals in a serious tone of sustained invective, and always contains a prophecy of society's imminent downfall.
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