Introduction
This paper deals with the captivity narrative and is intended to explain why captivity occurred, what impacts it had, and how captives reported about it. I am also going to outline how
the captivity narrative influenced the attitude of white people towards Native Americans. Therefore, I am going to show in what way both capturers and captives are described.
In order to show one captivity narrative in greater detail, I chose Mary Rowlandson’s "A True History of the Captivity & Restoration of Mary Rowlandson," (1682) which is arguably the most famous captivity narrative. It set up a pattern, which was later adopted by many other authors.
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Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Reasons for Captivity
- Reasons for Writing a Captivity Narrative
- Entertainment
- Propaganda
- Mary Rowlandson's "A True History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mary Rowlandson"
- The Description of Native Americans
- The Description of the Captive
- Victims
- Victors
- Transculturation
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the captivity narrative as a literary genre, examining the reasons behind both captivity and the subsequent writing of captivity narratives. It analyzes how these narratives shaped white attitudes towards Native Americans and investigates the portrayal of both captors and captives. Mary Rowlandson's narrative serves as a central case study.
- Reasons for Indian Captivity of Settlers
- Motivations for Writing Captivity Narratives
- The Portrayal of Native Americans in Captivity Narratives
- The Portrayal of Captives in Captivity Narratives
- The Role of Religion and Propaganda in Captivity Narratives
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by outlining its focus on captivity narratives. It explains the paper's intent to delve into the reasons for captivity, its impact, and how captives documented their experiences. It highlights the influence of these narratives on white perceptions of Native Americans and emphasizes the analysis of the portrayal of both captors and captives. The chapter establishes Mary Rowlandson's narrative as a key example and provides a brief overview of the historical context of captivity in early American history, noting the high number of unrecorded instances and the fear of captivity exceeding the fear of death among settlers.
Reasons for Captivity: This chapter explores the various reasons behind the captivity of settlers by Native Americans. It identifies ransom as a primary motive, highlighting instances where significant sums were paid to secure the release of captives. The chapter also discusses revenge as a driving force, particularly the "eye for an eye" principle applied by Native Americans. Tribal expansion, stemming from warfare and disease decimating Native American populations, is identified as another crucial factor, with captives often replacing deceased tribe members. The chapter emphasizes the preference for children and the possibility of transculturation, where captives were integrated into the Native American way of life. Finally, it addresses the use of captives as slaves, illustrating the varied experiences and fates of those captured.
Reasons for Writing a Captivity Narrative: This chapter delves into the motivations behind the creation and dissemination of captivity narratives. It establishes entertainment as a significant factor, emphasizing the genre's appeal due to its inherent tension, clear-cut morality, and generally positive outcomes from a white perspective. The chapter highlights the rise in popularity of captivity narratives as children's literature in the 19th century, serving as a tool for promoting patriotism and instilling religious and geographical knowledge. It explores the shift in portrayal of Native Americans from villainous figures to more romanticized images, contrasting the perspectives in Eastern and Western narratives. The chapter also points to the manipulation and adaptation of these narratives for different audiences, underscoring the fictional elements often present.
Keywords
Captivity narratives, Native Americans, Colonial America, Mary Rowlandson, Propaganda, Religious themes, Transculturation, Genre analysis, Literary history, Frontier life, Identity, Cultural exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Captivity Narratives
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of captivity narratives, focusing on their historical context, literary characteristics, and thematic concerns. It serves as a language preview, including a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main themes explored in the document?
The key themes include the reasons for both Indian captivity of settlers and the subsequent writing of captivity narratives; the portrayal of Native Americans and captives in these narratives; the role of religion and propaganda; and the analysis of Mary Rowlandson's "A True History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mary Rowlandson" as a central case study. It also examines the concepts of entertainment, propaganda, transculturation, and the varying motivations and impacts of captivity.
What are the reasons for Indian captivity of settlers, as discussed in the document?
The document explores several reasons, including ransom, revenge ("eye for an eye"), tribal expansion (replacing deceased members due to warfare and disease), the preference for capturing children for potential integration into the tribe (transculturation), and enslavement. It highlights the varied experiences and fates of those captured.
Why were captivity narratives written, according to the document?
The document suggests that the motivations for writing captivity narratives were multifaceted. Entertainment value, due to the inherent tension and clear-cut morality from a white perspective, is highlighted. Propaganda and the promotion of patriotism, religious and geographical knowledge, particularly in the context of children's literature, are also emphasized. The document also notes the manipulation and adaptation of these narratives for different audiences and the often present fictional elements.
How are Native Americans portrayed in captivity narratives?
The document indicates that the portrayal of Native Americans in captivity narratives varied over time and across different narratives. While often depicted negatively in earlier works, later narratives sometimes presented more romanticized images. The document emphasizes the need to analyze these portrayals critically, considering the biases and intentions of the authors.
How are the captives portrayed in these narratives?
Captives are often portrayed as both victims and, in some instances, as victors, demonstrating resilience and adaptation. The document explores the concept of transculturation, where captives integrated into Native American life, highlighting the complex and varied experiences of those held captive.
What is the significance of Mary Rowlandson's "A True History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mary Rowlandson"?
Mary Rowlandson's narrative serves as a central case study in the document, illustrating many of the themes and characteristics discussed. It is used as a prime example to analyze the reasons for writing captivity narratives, the portrayal of Native Americans and captives, and the role of religion and propaganda in shaping these accounts.
What are the key terms associated with this topic?
Key terms include: Captivity narratives, Native Americans, Colonial America, Mary Rowlandson, Propaganda, Religious themes, Transculturation, Genre analysis, Literary history, Frontier life, Identity, and Cultural exchange.
What is the historical context provided in the document?
The document establishes the historical context of captivity in early American history, noting the high number of unrecorded instances and the fear of captivity among settlers (exceeding even the fear of death).
- Quote paper
- Rene Hoffmann (Author), 1998, James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales and the Rise of the American Culture, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/422
