In 1995, The Walt Disney Company released an animated movie based on the story of Pocahontas, the daughter of the Powhatan tribe’s chief. Set in 17th century Virginia, free-spirited Pocahontas saves English explorer John Smith’s life from execution, and consequently, both embark on a tale of forbidden romance. True to the advertisement, 2 completely different worlds (the Native Americans and the greedy English) were brought together by the pair, and they narrowly avoid a costly war over land. Certainly, many remember this classic film from their childhood fondly, but do not know of the real truth of Pocahontas’ life. Pocahontas was not her real name, but a childish nickname used by loved ones, meaning “spoiled child” or “naughty one”. Disney did a great deal of injustice to the legacy of Pocahontas, or rather, Mataoka, by inaccurately portraying her story.
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With a sharp complexion and a matured, womanly body, she is a far cry from the pubescent girl she actually was. A number of accounts cite Pocahontas’ birth around 1595, and John Smith's historical account of her saving him took place in 1607. Pocahontas would be in her early teens, reaching puberty, when Smith, in his mid to late 20’s, visited the Powhatans. Smith indeed acknowledges her age in a letter to Queen Anne of Great Britain, stating, ¨Pocahontas… a child of twelve or thirteen of age¨ (Doc A). The animated Pocahontas film increased her age to create a fictional romantic aspect to the
With a sharp complexion and a matured, womanly body, she is a far cry from the pubescent girl she actually was. A number of accounts cite Pocahontas’ birth around 1595, and John Smith's historical account of her saving him took place in 1607. Pocahontas would be in her early teens, reaching puberty, when Smith, in his mid to late 20’s, visited the Powhatans. Smith indeed acknowledges her age in a letter to Queen Anne of Great Britain, stating, ¨Pocahontas… a child of twelve or thirteen of age¨ (Doc A). The animated Pocahontas film increased her age to create a fictional romantic aspect to the