Comparing John Smith And William Bradford example essay topic

Although Captain John Smith and William Bradford, historians and leaders of their respective colonies, Jamestown and Plymouth, desired to lure settlers to their colonies through their writings, the methods and style they used to accomplish their goals varied with their personal beliefs and values. Though both sought to set forth an example for the colonists they were enticing, Smith strived to attract those with courage, vigor, and an adventurous spirit while Bradford tried to appeal to Godly men and women. Both graphically described the untamed setting of the new land, yet Smith always creates an aura of adventure and romance while Bradford focuses on the hardships and difficulties experienced by the colonists accompanied by God's provision. To support these different values and motives, Smith uses elaborate descriptions and an ornate style in his focus on adventure while Bradford employs biblical allusions, providential ized events and simplicity in his God-focused writing. In Smith's General History, he emphasizes the rugged and brave characteristics he wants out of his colonists. Tales of danger and hardships, some of which are only debatable true, appeal primarily to the brave and the adventuresome, the type of people he sought to attract.

.".. Then as many as could laid hands on him, dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head, and being ready to beat out his brains, Pocahontas, the King's dearest daughter, when no entreaty could prevail, got his head in her arms, and laid her own upon his to save him from death... ". (Smith).

Indeed, dangerous and exciting tales pervade his work, serving to attract the courageous to his Jamestown. Whereas Smith wrote an appeal to the courageous, Bradford sought the addition of godly men and women to his colony. Biblical allusions and providence saturate Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation attracting those who possessed knowledge of the Bible and those who viewed life through a providential lens. "Our Fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto the Lord, and He heard their voice and looked on their adversity" (Bradford).

This is an allusion to the Israelites' plight in Egypt (Deuteronomy 26: 5-8). As the Israelites were saved and aided by God, so now are Bradford's Puritans, a powerful image for those seeking to be in the middle of God's will. Not stopping with the Israelites, He comparing the settlers to many different people in the Bible, almost as if to express the idea that if one joined the Puritans at Plymouth, God would not only approve, but applaud. Although each writer vividly portrays the savage and untamed wilderness in their writings, they each do so from their previously mentioned bents. Smith utilizes a sense of adventure and romance in his attempt to lure those who shared these qualities. Bradford, on the other hand, focused on the hardships, difficulties, and God's provision experienced by the colonists.

"And for the buckling of the main beam, there was a great iron screw the passengers brought out of Holland, which would raise the beam into its place; the which being done, the carpenter and master affirmed that with a post put under it, set firm in the lower deck and other ways bound, he would make it sufficient". (Bradford). He uses these and other trials to convey a point that God is providential and that everything happens for a reason. People who believe and live by this are the people Bradford desired in His colony. Though each leader wrote about similar experiences, Smith's use of an elaborate and descriptive writing style in highlights his overall message that the colonies are a place of excitement and adventure. The omniscient point of view he utilizes seems to glorify himself as the archetype of a colonial settler and it magnifies and gives credibility to his History's marvelous episodes.

Contrariwise, Bradford focuses on God, not himself, and employs a personally limited and simplistic view in his writing. "Let them therefor praise the Lord, because He is good: and His mercies endure forever. Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, show how He hath delivered them from the oppressor. When they wandered in the desert of wilderness out of the way, and found no city to dwell in, both hungry and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in them. Let them confess before the Lord His loving kindness and His wonderful works before the sons of men". (Bradford).

The beliefs and style represented in Captain John Smith and William Bradford widely circulated works reflected their own beliefs and attitudes. Wanting to attract settlers to their colonies through their writings, they wrote in such a way as to accomplish this goal. As an example for the colonists that joined them, Smith strived to attract those with courage and an adventurous spirit while Bradford tried to appeal to the Godly men and women. While each conveyed the sense of an untamed setting in the New World, Smith emphasized the sense of adventure and romance while Bradford focused on the hardships, difficulties, and providence experienced by the colonists.

Finally, in spite of the fact that each wrote about similar experiences, Smith uses elaborate descriptions and writing style in his focus on adventure while Bradford employs biblical allusions and simplicity in his God-focused writing. ?