Compare And Contrast Pomas Porton And William Bradford

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Is there a way to determine where the truth lays when there are two different perspectives on the same situations? Unfortunately, there is no clear cut answer. In William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation and Thomas Morton’s New English Canaan, there are countless discrepancies between each story. Both men seek to defame one another in order to preserve the innocence of their individual characters. They are not exactly successful in their mission when Morton and Bradford spend time discussing their issues with one another. There is a considerable amount of finger pointing in these parts yet neither man assumes any responsibility for the troubles. William Bradford and Thomas Morton employ different approaches to paint each other in an unfavorable …show more content…
He bashes trading practices making Morton appear to be the enemy of the settlers. Morton views his trade with the Indians as a mere financial benefit. He behaves as if there are no long term consequences, therefore he only focuses on the present. Bradford discusses his concerns about Morton trading weapons with the Indians, “And these things have been done in the same times when some of their neighbours and friends are daily killed by the Indians, or are in danger thereof and live but at the Indians’ mercy” (229). If viewing this situation from Bradford’s point of view, Morton is clearly in the wrong. Bradford’s concern is about the safety of his people and by giving the Indians weapons places the settlers at an enormous disadvantage. Bradford is successful in making Morton display abnormal behaviors indicating that he is anti-English and …show more content…
Bradford writes, “…Morton became Lord of Misrule, and maintained (as it were) a School of Atheism (227). Morton displayed strange according to Bradford. He was ready to fight Captain Standish in order to defend his house. However, instead of resisting, Morton surrendered in order to keep his home safe (231). This description clearly shows an unstable man who is not fit to live as part of their society. Morton claims that he was alone when attacked and willingly went with his accusers (Morton 142). These are two completely different perspectives on the same issue. Morton makes the Separatists resemble irrational and unfair people who seek to punish a person for religious beliefs and economic success. The truth lays somewhere in between both of their

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