Book Review & Critique: Pocahontas
Pocahontas is not simply a historical figure-she is a Disney icon, part of American mythology and its self-concept of what constitutes its early heritage. But Camilla Townsend suggests that the image of the native girl, begging with her father Powhatan to free the white man has no basis in fact, and is entirely a creation of the self-mythologizing of John Smith in his memoirs of his leadership of the Jamestown colony. Townsend hopes to paint a truer portrait of a historical figure we know little about and also to use the life of Pocahontas to debunk some of the most cherished myths that Americans have about their national origin. Pocahontas' plea to her father was not a spontaneous act of affection, but was part of the traditional rituals of her tribe. Smith and Powhatan were engaged a traditional friendship ceremony that made Smith the chief's new 'son.' Smith's life, in short, was never in danger, nor was Pocahon
Powhatan was a canny negotiator, and he knew that the colonists posed a risk to native authority. Perhaps the saddest myth about Pocahontas debunked by the book, however, is not her relationship with Smith, but that of her loveless marriage to John Rolfe. Rather than a romantic triumph, the story of Pocahontas is a sad one, despite the bravery and intelligence shown by the woman in her willingness to sacrifice herself for her people. She was always helpful to her father, acting as a translator between the whites and her own people, rather than a genuine sympathizer with the customs and manners of Europe. They said that the people lived like animals, and because the Indians had a different conception of what it meant to own land, they saw the New World as ripe for the taking. The colonists were often reliant upon stealing or begging from the natives for food, because they proved so incompetent and undisciplined at working the new land. Perhaps the most cherished myths shattered by Townsend's research are not those surrounding the title character, but of the character of the first colonists at Jamestown whom John Smith was forced to administer. Pocahontas' marriage was supposed to be a favorable alliance between whites and natives, where she would act as an emissary, but the young woman quickly sickened and died, married to a man in an unfamiliar land, where she was forced to abide by unfamiliar customs and to constantly speak a foreign language, living amongst strangers. Smith himself bemoaned that his men were lazy, incompetent, and unskilled at useful trades. The justification for colonization and the eradication of native culture took place essentially before both friendly and hostile encounters occurred. It was common practice for warring tribes to intermarry, to mitigate the dangers that could be done by potential enemies. The colonies were shown as places in need of Christian influence. Despite the fact that the Indians proved helpful at times for colonial survival, as well as posed a military threat, the colonists were contemptuous of the native lifestyle and manners.
Common topics in this essay:
John Smith,
Despite Indians,
John Rolfe,
Smith Powhatan,
Camilla Townsend,
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john smith,
cherished myths,
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Acceptance Essays
