Pocahontas
Examining the myth essay
Ms. McGrath – American Lit
Due Mon/Tues Sept. 17th/18th
100 points
We have now examined one of the earliest key “American
stories”, that of Pocahontas, from a variety of different
angles. Now you get to organize your thoughts into writing.
Please write a short essay (2-3 pages) about the “issue” of
Pocahontas. Some questions you may want to consider in your
writing are:
1. What are the details of the Pocahontas story as
historians know it? How do the various Pocahontas films
“get it right”? Where do they fail? Is there a significant
difference in perspective between “The New World” and
Disney’s “Pocahontas”?
2. What harm might result from Disney's production of
"Pocahontas?" What benefit might there be?
3. Discuss the “Disneyfication” of history/literature and
its impact on our culture, using specifics from Pocahontas
as evidence.
4. Why do you think the Pocahontas/John Smith story has
become one of the most culturally significant stories of
American history/literature? Is it, in some ways, a
creation story? What does it tell you about American
culture?
You do not need
but you do need
your idea about
attached rubric
your essay.
to address all the questions on this list,
to develop a thesis statement that embodies
the Pocahontas story. Please see the
so that you understand my expectations of
Pocahontas Essay Rubric
Student Name:
________________________________________
20 - Above Standards
The introductory paragraph
has a strong hook or
attention grabber that is
appropriate for the audience.
This could be a strong
statement, a relevant
quotation, statistic, or
question addressed to the
reader.
The thesis statement names
the topic of the essay and
outlines the main points to
be discussed.
18- Meets Standards
The introductory paragraph
has a hook or attention
grabber, but it is weak,
rambling or inappropriate for
the audience.
15 - Approaching Standards
The author has an interesting
introductory paragraph but
the connection to the topic is
not clear.
1
T
is
re
The thesis statement names
the topic of the essay.
The thesis statement outlines
some or all of the main
points to be discussed but
does not name the topic.
T
n
d
b
Paragraph/Sentence
Structure
All sentences are wellconstructed with varied
structure. Everything makes
sense and there is a clear,
logical "flow" to the writing.
Most sentences are wellconstructed and there is
some varied sentence
structure in the essay. There
may be a few questionable
sentences or places where
the "flow" is fuzzy.
Most sentences are well
constructed, but there is no
variation is structure. Some
sentences or paragraphs do
not "flow" in a natural,
logical way.
M
c
S
s
p
Writing Conventions
Author makes no errors in
grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the
content.
Author makes 1-3 errors in
grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the
content.
Author makes 4-6 errors in
grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the
content.
A
e
s
re
Support for Position
Includes 3 or more pieces of
evidence (facts, statistics,
examples, real-life
experiences) that support the
position statement. The
writer anticipates the reader's
concerns, biases or
arguments and has provided
at least 1 counter-argument.
Includes 3 or more pieces of
evidence (facts, statistics,
examples, real-life
experiences) that support the
position statement.
Includes 2 pieces of
evidence (facts, statistics,
examples, real-life
experiences) that support the
position statement.
In
e
e
e
PPOINTS / CATEGORY
Attention Grabber
Focus or Thesis Statement
Comments:
Pocahontas
Pocahontas was an Indian princess, the daughter of Powhatan, the
powerful chief of the Algonquian Indians in the Tidewater region of
Virginia. She was born around 1595 to one of Powhatan's many wives.
They named her Matoaka, though she is better known as Pocahontas, which
means "Little Wanton," playful, frolicsome little girl.
Pocahontas probably saw white men for the first time in May 1607 when
Englishmen landed at Jamestown. The one she found most likable was
Captain John Smith. The first meeting of Pocahontas and John Smith is a
legendary story, romanticized (if not entirely invented) by Smith. He
was leading an expedition in December 1607 when he was taken captive by
some Indians. Days later, he was brought to the official residence of
Powhatan at Werowocomoco, which was 12 miles from Jamestown. According
to Smith, he was first welcomed by the great chief and offered a feast.
Then he was grabbed and forced to stretch out on two large, flat
stones. Indians stood over him with clubs as though ready to beat him
to death if ordered. Suddenly a little Indian girl rushed in and took
Smith's "head in her arms and laid her owne upon his to save him from
death.” The girl, Pocahontas, then pulled him to his feet. Powhatan
said that they were now friends, and he adopted Smith as his son, or a
subordinate chief. Actually, this mock "execution and salvation"
ceremony was traditional with the Indians, and if Smith's story is
true, Pocahontas' actions were probably one part of a ritual. At any
rate, Pocahontas and Smith soon became friends.
Relations with the Indians continued to be generally friendly for the
next year, and Pocahontas was a frequent visitor to Jamestown. She
delivered messages from her father and accompanied Indians bringing
food and furs to trade for hatchets and trinkets. She was a lively
young girl, and when the young boys of the colony turned cartwheels,
"she would follow and wheele some herself, naked as she was all the
fort over." She apparently admired John Smith very much and would also
chat with him during her visits. Her lively character and poise made
her appearance striking. Several years after their first meeting, Smith
described her: "a child of tenne yeares old, which not only for
feature, countenance, and proportion much exceedeth any of the rest of
his (Powhatan's) people but for wit and spirit (is) the only non-pariel
of his countrie.
Unfortunately, relations with the Powhatans worsened. Necessary trading
still continued, but hostilities became more open. While before she had
been allowed to come and go almost at will, Pocahontas' visits to the
fort became much less frequent. In October 1609, John Smith was badly
injured by a gunpowder explosion and was forced to return to England.
When Pocahontas next came to visit the fort, she was told that her
friend Smith was dead.
Pocahontas apparently married an Indian "pryvate Captayne" named Kocoum
in 1610. She lived in Potomac country among Indians, but her
relationship with the Englishmen was not over. When an energetic and
resourceful member of the Jamestown settlement, Captain Samuel Argall,
learned where she was, he devised a plan to kidnap her and hold her for
ransom. With the help of Japazaws, lesser chief of the Patowomeck
Indians, Argall lured Pocahontas onto his ship. When told she would not
be allowed to leave, she “began to be exceeding pensive and
discontented," but she eventually became calmer and even accustomed to
her captivity. Argall sent word to Powhatan that he would return his
beloved daughter only when the chief had returned to him the English
prisoners he held, the arms and tolls that the Indians had stolen, and
also some corn. After some time Powhatan sent part of the ransom and
asked that they treat his daughter well. Argall returned to Jamestown
in April 1613 with Pocahontas. She eventually moved to a new
settlement, Henrico, which was under the leadership of Sir Thomas Dale.
It was here that she began her education in the Christian Faith, and
that she met a successful tobacco planter named John Rolfe in July
1613. Pocahontas was allowed relative freedom within the settlement,
and she began to enjoy her role in the relations between the colony and
her people. After almost a year of captivity, Dale brought 150 armed
men and Pocahontas into Powhatan’s territory to obtain her entire
ransom. Attacked by the Indians, the Englishmen burned many houses,
destroyed villages, and killed several Indian men. Pocahontas was
finally sent ashore where she was reunited with two of her brothers,
whom she told that she was treated well and that she was in love with
the Englishman John Rolfe and wanted to marry him. Powhatan gave his
consent to this , and the Englishmen departed, delighted at the
prospect of the “peace-making” marriage, although they didn’t receive
the full ransom.
John Rolfe was a very religious man who agonized for many weeks over
the decision to marry a "strange wife," a heathen Indian. He finally
decided to marry Pocahontas after she had been converted to
Christianity, "for the good of the plantation, the honor of our
country, for the glory of God, for mine own salvation ..." Pocahontas
was baptized, christened Rebecca, and later married John Rolfe on April
5, 1614. A general peace and a spirit of goodwill between the English
and the Indians resulted from this marriage.
Sir Thomas Dale made an important voyage back to London in the spring
of 1616. His purpose was to seek further financial support for the
Virginia Company and, to insure spectacular publicity, he brought with
him about a dozen Algonquian Indians, including Pocahontas. Her husband
and their young son, Thomas, accompanied her. The arrival of Pocahontas
in London was well publicized. She was presented to King James I, the
royal family, and the rest of the best of London society. Also in
London at this time was Captain John Smith, the old friend she had not
seen for eight years and whom she believed was dead. According to Smith
at their meeting, she was at first too overcome with emotion to speak.
After composing herself, Pocahontas talked of old times. At one point
she addressed him as "father," and when he objected, she defiantly
replied: "'Were you not afraid to come into my father's Countrie, and
caused feare in him and all of his people and feare you here I should
call you father: I tell you I will, and you shall call mee childe, and
so I will be for ever and ever your Countrieman."' This was their last
meeting.
After seven months Rolfe decided to return his family to Virginia, In
March 1617 they set sail. It was soon apparent, however, that
Pocahontas would not survive the voyage home. She was deathly ill from
pneumonia or possibly tuberculosis. She was taken ashore, and, as she
lay dying, she comforted her husband, saying, "all must die. 'Tis
enough that the child liveth." She was buried in a churchyard in
Gravesend, England. She was 22 years old.
Pocahontas played a significant role in American history. As a
compassionate little girl she saw to it that the colonists received
food from the Indians, so that Jamestown would not suffer the fate of
the "Lost Colony." She is said to have intervened to save the lives of
individual colonists. In 1616 John Smith wrote that Pocahontas was "the
instrument to pursurve this colonie from death, famine, and utter
confusion." And Pocahontas not only served as a representative of the
Virginia Indians, but also as a vital link between the native Americans
and the Englishmen. Whatever her contributions, the romantic aspects of
her life will no doubt stand out in Virginia history forever.
Copyright 1997, 2000 by The Association for the Preservation of
Virginia Antiquities
Our Mother, Pocahontas
by Vachel Lindsay
(Note: — Pocahontas is buried at Gravesend, England.)
"Pocahontas' body, lovely as a poplar, sweet as a red haw in November
or a pawpaw in May — did she wonder? does she remember — in the dust —
in the cool tombs?"
CARL SANDBURG.
I
Powhatan was conqueror,
Powhatan was emperor.
He was akin to wolf and bee,
Brother of the hickory tree.
Son of the red lightning stroke
And the lightning-shivered oak.
His panther-grace bloomed in the maid
Who laughed among the winds and played
In excellence of savage pride,
Wooing the forest, open-eyed,
In the springtime,
In Virginia,
Our Mother, Pocahontas.
Her skin was rosy copper-red.
And high she held her beauteous head.
Her step was like a rustling leaf:
Her heart a nest, untouched of grief.
She dreamed of sons like Powhatan,
And through her blood the lightning ran.
Love-cries with the birds she sung,
Birdlike
In the grape-vine swung.
The Forest, arching low and wide
Gloried in its Indian bride.
Rolfe, that dim adventurer
Had not come a courtier.
John Rolfe is not our ancestor.
We rise from out the soul of her
Held in native wonderland,
While the sun's rays kissed her hand,
In the springtime,
In Virginia,
Our Mother, Pocahontas.
II
She heard the forest talking,
Across the sea came walking,
And traced the paths of Daniel Boone,
Then westward chased the painted moon.
She passed with wild young feet
On to Kansas wheat,
On to the miners' west,
The echoing cañons' guest,
Then the Pacific sand,
Waking,
Thrilling,
The midnight land....
On Adams street and Jefferson —
Flames coming up from the ground!
On Jackson street and Washington —
Flames coming up from the ground!
And why, until the dawning sun
Are flames coming up from the ground?
Because, through drowsy Springfield sped
This red-skin queen, with feathered head,
With winds and stars, that pay her court
And leaping beasts, that make her sport;
Because, gray Europe's rags august
She tramples in the dust;
Because we are her fields of corn;
Because our fires are all reborn
From her bosom's deathless embers,
Flaming
As she remembers
The springtime
And Virginia,
Our Mother, Pocahontas.
III
We here renounce our Saxon blood.
Tomorrow's hopes, an April flood
Come roaring in. The newest race
Is born of her resilient grace.
We here renounce our Teuton pride:
Our Norse and Slavic boasts have died:
Italian dreams are swept away,
And Celtic feuds are lost today....
She sings of lilacs, maples, wheat,
Her own soil sings beneath her feet,
Of springtime
And Virginia,
Our Mother, Pocahontas.
Myths Abound in "The New World"
By Cathy Schultz
It would be logical to assume that Terrence Malick's The New World, the
latest retelling of the Pocahontas-John Smith story, would share little
in common with Disney's 1995 animated feature, Pocahontas. Malick,
after all, is a legendary auteur, while Disney is, well, Disney.
Logical, perhaps, but wrong. For though stylistically the films are
worlds apart, there are uncomfortable similarities in the romanticized
history each offers.
Take the costume notions, for one. In both movies, Pocahontas sports a
cute, midriff-baring little number, complete with strategic slits to
show off her toned thighs. Sexy? Quite. But historical? Um, no.
And while Malick's film doesn't have a chatty Grandmother Willow and a
cuddly raccoon buddy, Pocahontas still cavorts. A lot. In fact,
according to these films, Pocahontas apparently had little else to do
than gambol around with John Smith, teaching him to appreciate nature.
Here are other ways The New World romanticizes early America history.
Q. Was John Smith such a pensive, introspective chap?
A. Hardly. The real John Smith was an opinionated, forceful soldier,
who is credited with saving the Jamestown settlement by cracking down
on lazy settlers who would rather hunt for gold than grow food.
Smith also had a wide self-promoting streak. He penned thrilling
adventure stories of his exploits, with himself as the swashbuckling
hero. It worked, though. We still know his name today, while
contemporaries like Christopher Newport (who?) are forgotten.
Q. In the film, the Indians are said to "lack guile, treachery, or
greed." Is that true?
A. Far too romanticized. The movie depicts the Indians living in
harmony with nature and one another. They're peaceful, except when the
English goad them. And they all do lots of playing and dancing.
In reality, Powhatan, Pocahontas's father was an astute and tough
chief, who ruled by conquest over the surrounding tribes. Politically
savvy and fierce in battle, his people were far from the innocent,
childlike creatures we see in the film.
Nor were they primitive environmentalists. Indians worked the earth the
same way the English did, only with different tools. They farmed,
felled trees, reshaped the land around them. And rather than cavorting
all day, everyone in the tribe worked. Hard.
Q. How did Smith get along with the Indians?
A. It was a complex relationship. On the one hand, Smith admired
Powhatan, and may even have been ritually adopted into his tribe. And
since the English were greatly outnumbered, and starving to boot, Smith
had no choice but to negotiate with the tribes for food.
But Smith could be sneaky, promising muskets for food, for example,
with no real intention of providing them. And his own letters proposed
a dire fate for the natives, suggesting that the best way to treat
Indians was to force them to do "all matter of drudgery worke [sic] and
slavery."
Q. Did Pocahontas really save John Smith when her tribe captured him?
A. Probably not. The famous tale of Smith's capture by Powhatan and his
subsequent release was one Smith told many times. But interestingly, he
never added the bit about Pocahontas's "rescue" until 1624, seventeen
years after it purportedly occurred, and years after Pocahontas herself
died.
Smith also liked to exaggerate. It's suspicious, for instance, that
apparently Pocahontas wasn't the only beautiful woman to save Smith
from almost certain death. According to his writings, a Turkish
noblewoman, a Cossack chieftain's wife, and a lovely Frenchwoman (among
others) also rescued him during his various globe-trotting adventures.
Most of them, of course, then fell madly in love with him.
Q. So Pocahontas and John Smith didn't fall in love? Say it ain't so!
A. One big obstacle to the Romeo and Juliet love story presented by
Malick is that when they met, Smith was about twenty-seven, and
Pocahontas probably only eleven.
But she was a precocious child by all accounts, and she and Smith did
build a friendship, despite the age difference, and taught one another
their languages. But their great love affair almost certainly didn't
happen. Two years after they met, John Smith was headed back to
England, and Pocahontas was married to Kocoom, an Indian who died soon
after.
Q. Was Pocahontas kicked out of her tribe for helping the English?
A. Never occurred. She did end up living in Jamestown, though. But only
because she had been kidnapped at fifteen by the English, and was held
there as a royal hostage.
Her captors allowed her much freedom, however. And it was in Jamestown
that she met and married John Rolfe. And as the film shows, she
traveled with him to London, and was feted by the King as a princess.
Thus Pocahontas cast her lot with the English. The sources suggest that
she did love Rolfe. But her marriage was also designed to forge an
alliance, and foster a peace between her people and her husband's. It
worked, at least in her lifetime.
Q. Where to find more information about her?
A. Try Camilla Townsend's wonderful Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma