Columbus and Mary Rowlandson

A detailed Summary of Columbus and Mary Rowlandson


The selections we have read this semester have literally opened up my eyes to early American literature. While some readings have merely confirmed my current beliefs, others have contrasted sharply and even changed some of my views of early American history. The works I will be discussing are: Columbus: Journal of the First Voyage, William Bradford: Excerps from Of Plymouth Plantation and Mary Rolandson: Narrative. These three works have had a dramatic effect on my current views of early American literature and history.

The Journal of the First Voyage probably had the most impact on me. It showed the Indians and colonists as having a very peaceful interaction with each other. I must admit I never had a picture in my mind of Indians being peaceful. This image contrasts with the image of Indians as savage barbarians that's so commonly portrayed on television, film and even some of the readings in our textbook. The Indians revered Columbus and his men an


Mary Rowlandson's experience with the Indians was a far cry from Columbus' interaction with them. She shares her feelings towards the Indians in a very negative way. During the Indan attack on her Lancaster settlement, Rowlandson describes the scene of stabbing, killing, and burning as very gruesome and vicious. In fact, with her brother-in-law lying dead on the ground, she refers to the Indians as "Merciless Heathens." She describes the attack: "It is a solemn sight to see so many Christians lying in blood, some here, and some there, like a company of sheep torn by wolves, all of them stript naked by a company of hell-hounds, roaring, singing, ranting and insulting, as if they would have torn our very hearts out"(344). During her journey as a captive of the Indians, Rowlandson describes them as ravenous Beast and Barbarous Creatures. When she and her child fell over the horses back, the Indians laughed and rejoiced. At this occurrence she calls them inhumane creatures. All in a

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Approximate Word count = 669
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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