Captain John Smith's Account

• The earliest literature about America is the exploration narrative, which includes records by European explorers like Amerigo Vespucci and Christopher Columbus detailing their impressions of America
• Sir Walter Raleigh founded the Roanoke colony in 1585, the first English colony in America
• The historical narrative is a shift from the exploration narrative, focusing on documenting the dangers and challenges of colonial life
• One of the historical narratives is "The General History of Virginia" by Captain John Smith, the leader in Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the Virginia colony in America
• Captain John Smith is the same person in the Disney film adaptation "Pocahontas" which alludes to The General History of Virginia
• The text seemingly portrays Captain John Smith as a successful leader, but a close reading reveals that his actions were being criticized
• The text provided details on the conflicts among the Jamestown colonists
• Individuals involved in the conflicts:

  • President Wingfield
  • Captain Kendall
  • Robinson and Emry
  • George Cassen
• The beginnings of American literature consist mainly of exploration narratives of explorers and historical narratives of colonists
• Exploration and historical narratives were written to solicit funding for explorations and settlements, providing an understanding of early American literature
• Wingfield and Kendall, living in disgrace, strengthened themselves with the sailors and other confederates to regain their former credit and authority
• Smith unexpectedly returned and had a plot discovered to him, leading to an action that cost the life of Captain Kendall
• Captain Kendall was executed for mutiny in 1607
• The President and Captain Archer intended to abandon the country, but Smith suppressed this project
• Smith found plenty of corn in the river of Chickahominy, where hundreds of savages were waiting for his arrival
• The rivers became covered with swans, geese, ducks, and cranes as winter approached, providing food sources for the settlers
• Smith was attacked by 200 savages at the river's head, resulting in the death of his two men and his capture
• Smith was brought to Werowocomoco, where Powhatan, their Emperor, was located
• Powhatan spared Smith's life and made him hatchets, bells, beads, and copper
• Powhatan promised to give Smith control of a nearby village and to think of him as his own son
• Pocahontas intervened to save Smith from death by placing her head on his during a critical moment
• Smith was sent back to Jamestown with guides and gifts from Powhatan
• Smith showed kindness to the natives and demonstrated the power of cannons, creating fear and respect among them
• Pocahontas regularly brought provisions to Smith, saving many lives in Jamestown
• Smith's relation of the plenty he had seen revived the spirits of the settlers, especially the love of Pocahontas
• Despite difficulties and near destruction, the business in the colony was delivered through strange means by God
• Captain John Smith wrote “The General History of Virginia” as a narrative of his personal experiences as a leader of Jamestown, the first English permanent settlement in America
• Most authors write their narratives in the first-person point of view, but Captain John Smith chose the voice of an objective observer, using the third-person point of view while experiencing the events himself
• The events in “The General History of Virginia” are in the order in which they occur, with Smith's narration arranging details in chronological order
• Smith's writing style in "The General History of Virginia" is challenging to modern-day readers due to the different phrasing compared to modern writers
• Reading strategies to facilitate understanding of the narrative:

  • Paraphrase difficult word order (syntax)
  • Identify “who is doing what”
  • Determine the meaning of clauses and phrases
  • Translate archaic expressions
  • Use footnotes or side notes
• When reading literature from this time period, there are a number of Biblical references to consider
• During the first horrible winter in Virginia, Smith and the colonists were surprised when the natives brought them food because God “changed their hearts”
• The Emperor of the Native Americans stopped Smith from being clubbed so that Smith could show them the way to the colonists’ camp
• Some of the other colonists held Smith responsible for the shortage of food and drink
• Powhatan offered Smith his daughter in exchange for two guns and a grindstone
• Smith ultimately credits God for their survival
• In a desperate extremity, the hearts of the savages were changed by God, and they brought plenty of fruits and provisions to the colonists
• The new President and Martin, being little beloved, of weak judgment in dangers, and less industry in peace, committed the managing of all things abroad to Captain Smith
• Industry is defined as hard work and diligence