Randolph Rogers and Howard Zinn both have stories of the European colonization of the New World. Rogers tells his story through panels on the Columbus Doors in front of the U.S. Capitol. Each panel on his doors tells a different section of Columbus’ life. Howard Zinn addresses European colonization of the New World in the first chapter of his book, A People’s History of the United States. Although both Rogers and Zinn tell a story of Christopher Columbus, their stories depict contrasting idea. Randolph Rogers’ portrayal of Columbus shows him as an idealized and glorified person, but Rogers does show some elements of Columbus that display him as someone who is not heroic, but instead a human. In Rogers’ depiction of Columbus, he is seen
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Both stories end in a benevolent manner, soft and kind. In Rogers story, he ends it with the death of Columbus. The exciting and adventurous story of Columbus finally comes to an end with a picture of Columbus lying on his deathbed, sick, and surrounded by friends, family, and priests. This ending makes readers sympathize for Columbus. It is sad and emotional to see a man being depicted as a national hero to die. The way Zinn ends his first chapter is also in a benevolent way, but with a dark undertone. Zinn discusses how Indian society worked and interacted with each other before the introduction of Europeans. Zinn tells how the Indian people were peaceful and at one with each other. There were fights, but none in the sense that is known in modern society today. Back then, they were small and personal, and often dealt with. Along with peace, Indian tribes manage to implement equality, “Thus power was shared between sexes and the European idea of male dominancy and female subordination was absent…”. (Zinn 20) As Zinn writes about how Indian society worked, he leaves a dark underlying implication. It is implied that European influence on Indians destroyed the idealist society, one which modern countries still strive for today. Zinn ends his story by making readers feel sorry for the Indians and their ruined society, while Rogers ends his story by making readers feel sorry for Columbus and the end of his
Both stories end in a benevolent manner, soft and kind. In Rogers story, he ends it with the death of Columbus. The exciting and adventurous story of Columbus finally comes to an end with a picture of Columbus lying on his deathbed, sick, and surrounded by friends, family, and priests. This ending makes readers sympathize for Columbus. It is sad and emotional to see a man being depicted as a national hero to die. The way Zinn ends his first chapter is also in a benevolent way, but with a dark undertone. Zinn discusses how Indian society worked and interacted with each other before the introduction of Europeans. Zinn tells how the Indian people were peaceful and at one with each other. There were fights, but none in the sense that is known in modern society today. Back then, they were small and personal, and often dealt with. Along with peace, Indian tribes manage to implement equality, “Thus power was shared between sexes and the European idea of male dominancy and female subordination was absent…”. (Zinn 20) As Zinn writes about how Indian society worked, he leaves a dark underlying implication. It is implied that European influence on Indians destroyed the idealist society, one which modern countries still strive for today. Zinn ends his story by making readers feel sorry for the Indians and their ruined society, while Rogers ends his story by making readers feel sorry for Columbus and the end of his