This week’s reading focused on early explorers to the Americas, and there were a couple of things that I was pleasantly surprised to discover. For one, I was not expecting to read Of Plymouth Plantation. I am familiar with the book as my Dad actually tried to read it to me (and my siblings) when we were little because he was enjoying so much, but I did not have much appreciation for it at the time. Since then, I have come to see its value and enjoy its insights. It relays the rich history and faith that is a part of our country’s history. I did not expect there to be much attention payed to religion in a literature class at a secular college, but I personally believe that someone’s religion helps us to more fully understand that person and their actions especially someone in history. Thus, with interest and pleasure, I dove into this week’s work genuinely glad that William Bradford’s writings were included in the assigned readings.
Along the same line, I was also surprised at how the introduction entitled “Beginnings to 1700” described the pilgrims and puritans in a balanced way. The puritans and pilgrims are often portrayed as hard legalists who never had any fun. While it is …show more content…
I was not aware of the exaggeration accusation, but have always heard the story of Pocahontas told for true. It sounds like there is a reasonable argument on both sides of the issue. The fact that he wrote his accounts years after the events lends to the charge that he exaggerated. However, writing in third person makes him sound less like he is boasting about himself and more like he is relating truthful events. From reading about him, I would not put it passed John Smith to exaggerate, but I would like to believe he did not exaggerate. In any case, his writings have contributed much to our understanding of early
Along the same line, I was also surprised at how the introduction entitled “Beginnings to 1700” described the pilgrims and puritans in a balanced way. The puritans and pilgrims are often portrayed as hard legalists who never had any fun. While it is …show more content…
I was not aware of the exaggeration accusation, but have always heard the story of Pocahontas told for true. It sounds like there is a reasonable argument on both sides of the issue. The fact that he wrote his accounts years after the events lends to the charge that he exaggerated. However, writing in third person makes him sound less like he is boasting about himself and more like he is relating truthful events. From reading about him, I would not put it passed John Smith to exaggerate, but I would like to believe he did not exaggerate. In any case, his writings have contributed much to our understanding of early