James Smith/William Bradford Comparison
As a very loose interpretation of the word literature runs somewhere along the lines of "an imaginative or creative writing," the writings of both John Smith and William Bradford do indeed fall under this definition. While Smith's and Bradford's writings both tell historical accountings and factual descriptions of early colonial America, the writings are peppered with accounts that might be considered imaginative or creative. While many accountings in their writings have been proven to be fact, both men interspersed their writings with personal tales that could have been a result of desires for personal yearnings. Both men tempered their written accountings so the colonies were reflected in a light to satisfy their own initial dream of the colonies,
In the Smith reading, Smith himself was described to us as a combination of a rogue, a soldier, a leader, a renegade, and an adventure seeker. Settling in Virginia had opportunities for wealth, personal prestige, and glory for Smith, so it was beneficial for him to present himself and Virginia to potential investors in a light that beckonedGoodman 2 them to a land described as full of vast opportunities. Either way, their written stories qualify as imaginative or creative, and thus can be categorized as literature. or to satisfy the picture of the colonies they painted for those back in England. On the other hand, Bradford being a Puritan and a Separatist, wanted his image to be construed as that of a man of decency and strong moral tendencies. Perhaps in today's times, Smith and Bradford might be compared to each other, respectively, as a promotional travel agent who paints a pretty picture for world travel, and as an advisor to businesses seeking realistic geographical interpretations of potential future locations in which to operate. While his exploits were often portrayed as swashbuckling, it is understandable his depiction of his rescue by Pocahontas, as well as other tales, might have been exaggerated slightly in an effort to embellish his own public image. , Smith needed to satisfy people back in England, and Bradford needed to satisfy his own self-image as a moral human being in search of establishing a moralistic community. Bradford's writings told of the necessity for self-reliance in order to survive, and the writings projected a more pragmatic view of colonial settlement and life in America during harsh winter months. Bradford may have inflated his own image by weaving in a bit more moral sustenance when describing his life in the colonies. Their writings seemed to confirm they both had the ability to project the images and ideas they needed to convey; i. He had to paint the colony as some sort of haven to induce settlers to sail to Virginia. Smith's boasting and blustery tales of what occurred in Virginia had to serve two purposes.
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