Supposedly, the original “spiritual ancestor” for Pocahontas was actually to be “Old Man River” (“Just Around the Riverbend” was also meant for him to sing). This would have drastically changed the dynamic of the story, with not just one but two “father figures” in Pocahontas’ life. Instead, she she has two opposing opinionated figures of importance, female and male, Grandmother Willow and Powhatan. They both provide her with guidance, although Pocahontas goes to Grandma Willow for advice while Powhatan mostly just gives it to her. Powhatan is eager to marry Pocahontas off and choses Kocoum/approves of his proposal because he is a good warrior. Also Kocoum doesn’t speak about marriage with Pocahontas but with her father, continuing the ideas
