Early Explorers

When i was a kid, one of my favorite movies was Pocohantas. I remember wanting to be like her and fantasizing about my prince charming; in the form of John Smith. (Sad, i know). Now in college i have come to realize just how wrong i was about his character. I thought he was this nice, good guy. Turns out he is an arrogant, egostical fool. It just goes to show that you cannot trust everything you see in the movies. Especially, Disney, they tend to romanticize their stories.

John Smith was creative though, i will give him that. He wrote a book about his role in Jamestown, and his experiences with Native Americans ( I.e. Pocohantas, and her father, Chief of the tribe, Powhatan) to which he referred to them as savages. ( Again, not so nice of a guy). Here is the kicker! He wrote his book--- of his own experiences--- in third person, which again brings up his admirable traits. "--- Captain Smith, who, by his own example, good words, and fair promises---" (p.58)

You ever meet someone who refers to themselves in the third person? It really is quite annoying. I do not want to listen to someone talk about themselves in the third person, let alone read a story like that. Well, in Smith's writings, that is all you get.

When i compare my previous image of the Captain John Smith, the nice good guy, to now, an arrogrant, egostical fool; there seems to be quite a difference. Granted he did play a big role in the settlement of Jamestown; he was the president of the governing council. In his writing though, he made it seem like he played an even bigger role. Basically, he thought he was the major big shot. He saw himself in this greater light and it came off as arrogant.

Another great guy was, the explorer Christopher Columbus. Now, the only thing i can remember of Columbus was that in 1492, he sailed the ocean blue. ( Remember that poem?) Now this poem confused me. It made it seem as if Columbus was this nice guy and along his journey he never encountered any problems. The natives of the land; that he was trying to take, were all very nice and welcoming and shared their limited source of food with he and his sailors. Of course, nothing bad ever happened to Mr. Columbus.

Again, thanks to college, i am no longer confused. Columbus did encounter many problems. The Natives of the lands that he tried to take, were not very nice. In fact, they were hostile, (which is to be expected), they didn't share anything. A lot of bad things happen to Columbus. As it turns out, he sucked at being a leader, and he was somewhat of a donkey's behind. (Thanks to the text, i discovered his real traits). I realize i am being a little harsh on Columbus; he may not have know better, i mean, this is in 1400s. Maybe everyone in that time were a little like that. People are like that now, and its the 21st century.

Columbus though, had to answer to his crimes; of mistreating both the Spanish and the Native Americans. He was imprisoned and badly treated. ( Sad isn't it) However, he did have some brains, he knew that he wouldn't be getting a gold anytime soon. " I did not sail upon this voyage to gain honor or wealth; (really?) this is certain, for already all hope of that was dead." (p. 35) What a guy huh? What a gem.

He did try though to gain pity from his Queen, (which is really pathetic), but he was kind of good at it.
" Heaven have mercy upon me, and may the Earth weep for me--- my soul with be forgotten if it here leaves my body. Weep for me whoever has charity, truth, and justice." (p. 35) Doesn't that just hit the heart? I can already feel tears coming. (Sike!) He was a brave man, to seek pity from a monarchy that basically killed anyone who refused to obey them. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella have more blood on their hands than Freddy Krueger. They would be the last people i sought out pity from.

Now, this explorer, Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca ( Cow's head), was marrooned (exiled) on the Texas Coast, and wandered for about 9 years, in a land no other European had ever heard of, let alone seen. This guy, was alright. He actually was pretty honest in his accounts. He lived with the Native Americans, saw what they had to go through ( starvation and dehydration), and learned from them and about them. Unlike the other explorers who choose to be completely ignorant. Smith and Columbus could have learned a thing or two from Cabeza de Vaca.

Qoutes taken from The Norton Anthology American Literature textbook volume A 7th Edition.
Columbus poem--http://www.mamalisa.com/blog/columbus-day-poem-in-1492-columbus-sailed-the-ocean-blue/