Summary Of John Smith's Influence On American Culture

When looking back to early America, a few common themes surface. Some may think of agriculture, because it dominated American society, while others may think of religion, which also influenced a large portion of settlers’ lives. However, through the works of John Smith and Sarah Kemble Knight a new, self-centered side of American society surfaces. In “The General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles,” Smith describes the people he encounters on his trip coming to, and eventually settling in the New World. In “The Private Journal of a Journey from Boston to New York,” Knight, less than one hundred years later, similarly describes her adventures through the American colonies, focusing extensively on the people she encounters …show more content…
Smith observes the ceremonies of the natives saying, “Round about him those fiends danced…. Then came in three more as ugly as the rest” (Smith 65). In his observations, Smith criticizes the natives based only on their appearance. While doing so, he overlooks the native’s intentions for the ceremonies. Much like Europeans, the natives come together as a community to rejoice to their deity. Smith proceeds to describe their leader, Powhatan, as “more like a devil than a man” (Smith 67). Smith’s lack of respect for these people is apparent as he compares them to an evil entity and dismisses their humanity. Additionally, Smith unrightfully speaks for the natives. After Pocahontas has died, Smith records an encounter with her, saying, “Pocahontas, the King’s dearest daughter… got [Smith’s] head in her arms and laid her own upon his to save him from death” (Smith 66). Upon publication of “The General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles,” Pocahontas no longer can speak for herself as she has passed away. Because she is dead, Pocahontas’s version of the encounter is forever lost, making the experience appear only as Smith wants it