Early Explorer Literature Unit EQ: How does the literature of the early explorers reveal the physical and mental challenges of the writers? Lesson EQ 1: What were the mental, physical, and emotional challenges of the early explorers? Lesson EQ 2: How does someone overcome a mental or physical challenge? Lesson EQ 3: What are the pros and cons of first person narratives? Lesson EQ 4: How does the influence of religious faith dominate the literary records as seen in the narrative examples? Lesson EQ 5: What is a Captivity Narrative and what are its elements?

Captivity Narratives A Female Ordeal

Captured by Indians Victim is usually a white European woman Woman is not treated properly Woman is exposed to violent deaths of husband, brothers, and children

The Woman as Victim Unable to protect children Unable to be clean Forced into unusual roles – acting violent in defense, enduring tough physical challenges

The Captor Sometimes stereotyped as the dangerous native (savage) Sometimes made human by revealing their own struggles Often a political motive

Role of Narrative Defines woman’s role as being properly devoted to religion Proclaims message about value of faith during times of adversity Perpetuates the interests in “sensational literature” Defines cultural beliefs

Purpose of Narrative Religious expression Justification of westward expansion Nineteenth-century: cultural symbol of American national heritage Popular literature Reinforcement of stereotypes a. Spanish: Indians as brutish beasts b. French: Indians as souls needing redemption c. English in Virginia: innocent exotics d. Puritans: Satanic threat to religious Utopia

Themes Fears of cannibalism Fears of scalping Hunter-predator myth: captive as cultural mediator between savagery and civilization Myths ◦ Myth of Love in the Woods (Pocahontas and John Smith) ◦ Myth of Good Companions in the Wilderness ◦ Myth of White Woman with a Tomahawk (Hannah Dustan; inverts Pocahontas; kills 10 Indians and scalps them when she escapes.)

Two Examples Mary Jemison One spring morning in 1755 young Mary Jemison and her family were captured by a band of Shawanee Indians and Frenchmen. Mary Rowlandson When Lancaster, MA, was attacked at dawn on Feb. 10, 1656, Mary Rowlandson, her six- year-old daughter and her two older children were among those captured by a party of Wampanoag warriors

Video representation of Captivity Narratives