In Indian Captivity Narratives, typically a white woman, who is of European descent, is kidnapped and held captive by American Indians who consider her to be uncivilized and of the wrong beliefs. These narratives, which typically are autobiographical, capture the interest of readers and create reactions of shock, empathy, and inspiration. Narratives as such anticipate popular fiction, especially romance, and prefigure gothic literature with the “depictions of Indian as dark, hellish, cunning, and unpredictable” (Campbell, 2015). One of the more popular captivity narratives was based on Mary White Rowlandson and her eleven-week captivity. Mary White, later known as Mary White Rowlandson, was born in 1637 in Somerset, England. Her father, John
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Although she was separated from the two other children, Joseph and Mary, she was able see them occasionally as they traveled with their abductors. The first night in captivity was spent at what is now known as “Rowlandson Rock” on George Hill in Lancaster. After the attack, Mary and her daughter Sarah had found themselves gravely injured. The painstakingly cold and hunger caused much suffering for both Mary and Sarah, all while Sarah fought her brutal wounds. In hopes to heal Sarah’s injuries, Mary would apply oak leaves to the infected areas. Out in the wilderness, this was the only form of treatment. Sadly, the oak leaves couldn’t heal Sarah’s wounds, leaving her dead on the ninth day of captivity in a town called New …show more content…
Mary used her skill in sewing and knitting so she was useful while the Indians moved around in Massachusetts and New Hampshire to elude capture by the colonists (Lewis, 2017). Mary was considered owned by several masters and mistresses, many of whom were very cruel and harsh towards her. She had a bible that became her guide, helping her get through the awful days and nights. After she was told her son Joseph had died, which she later found out to be a lie, she focused on her bible to guide her through her troubles. During the journeys, they captives could sleep under wigwams and would keep warm near a small fire that would also be used for cooking meals. The captives where give small amounts of venison, horse meat, beaver, or wild bird to eat once cooked. Nevertheless, Mary survived mostly various types of nuts, acorns, weeds, and
Although she was separated from the two other children, Joseph and Mary, she was able see them occasionally as they traveled with their abductors. The first night in captivity was spent at what is now known as “Rowlandson Rock” on George Hill in Lancaster. After the attack, Mary and her daughter Sarah had found themselves gravely injured. The painstakingly cold and hunger caused much suffering for both Mary and Sarah, all while Sarah fought her brutal wounds. In hopes to heal Sarah’s injuries, Mary would apply oak leaves to the infected areas. Out in the wilderness, this was the only form of treatment. Sadly, the oak leaves couldn’t heal Sarah’s wounds, leaving her dead on the ninth day of captivity in a town called New …show more content…
Mary used her skill in sewing and knitting so she was useful while the Indians moved around in Massachusetts and New Hampshire to elude capture by the colonists (Lewis, 2017). Mary was considered owned by several masters and mistresses, many of whom were very cruel and harsh towards her. She had a bible that became her guide, helping her get through the awful days and nights. After she was told her son Joseph had died, which she later found out to be a lie, she focused on her bible to guide her through her troubles. During the journeys, they captives could sleep under wigwams and would keep warm near a small fire that would also be used for cooking meals. The captives where give small amounts of venison, horse meat, beaver, or wild bird to eat once cooked. Nevertheless, Mary survived mostly various types of nuts, acorns, weeds, and