Savagizing Native Americans in William Bradford’s "Of Plymouth Plantation"

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Savagism
• 2.1 Puritan worldview
• 2.2 Theory of noble and ignoble savages
• 3. William Bradford's creation of noble and ignoble savages
• 3.1 The savage's first appearances
• 3.2 Stylistic devices
• 3.3 Noble savages as God-given instruments
• 3.4 Ignoble savages as a threat
• 3.5 Bradford's strategy of unilateral reporting
• 4. Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This work analyzes William Bradford's depiction of Native Americans in *Of Plymouth Plantation*, examining how he constructs both "noble" and "ignoble" savage figures. The main objective is to understand Bradford's methods of characterization and the underlying purposes behind his portrayal of Native Americans. The analysis will explore the historical context of Puritan beliefs and the prevailing theories of savagism. * Bradford's construction of "noble" and "ignoble" savages. * The role of stylistic devices in shaping perceptions of Native Americans. * The impact of Bradford's biased perspective on historical representations. * The influence of Puritan worldview on the depiction of Native Americans. * Bradford's omission of key information and its effect on the narrative.

Chapter Summaries

1. Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by outlining the historical context of the Puritans' migration to the New World. It details their religious motivations, their flight from persecution in England and the Netherlands, and their arrival in Massachusetts. The chapter introduces William Bradford and *Of Plymouth Plantation* as the primary source for the study. Crucially, it highlights Bradford's initial characterization of Native Americans as "savage and brutish men," setting the tone for the subsequent analysis of his biased portrayal. The introduction also briefly touches upon existing scholarship on Bradford's work and identifies the gap this thesis aims to fill – understanding how Bradford created drastically different characters amongst the Native American population. 2. Savagism: This chapter explores the prevalent concepts of savagism during the colonial period. It contrasts the differing Enlightenment views of humanity's inherent nature, referencing Rousseau's ideas on natural and moral inequality. The chapter examines the common perception of Native Americans as the antithesis of civilization due to their perceived lack of Western arts, religion, and morality, highlighting the prevailing prejudices of the time. By establishing this framework, the chapter lays the foundation for understanding the cultural context within which Bradford's portrayal of Native Americans must be interpreted. The discussion of Rousseau's critique of previous philosophers who failed to separate societal concepts from the "state of nature" provides a crucial lens for analyzing Bradford's own biases.

Keywords

William Bradford, *Of Plymouth Plantation*, Native Americans, Savagism, Puritanism, Colonialism, Noble Savage, Ignoble Savage, Stylistic Devices, Historical Representation, Biased Narrative, Unilateral Reporting.

Frequently asked questions about William Bradford's Portrayal of Native Americans

What is the main subject of this language preview?

This language preview outlines an analysis of William Bradford's depiction of Native Americans in *Of Plymouth Plantation*. It focuses on how he constructs "noble" and "ignoble" savage figures.

What are the main objectives of the study?

The main objectives are to understand Bradford's methods of characterization and the underlying purposes behind his portrayal of Native Americans. It also explores the historical context of Puritan beliefs and the prevailing theories of savagism.

What key themes are explored in the analysis?

The key themes include Bradford's construction of "noble" and "ignoble" savages, the role of stylistic devices in shaping perceptions, the impact of Bradford's biased perspective, the influence of Puritan worldview, and Bradford's omission of key information.

What does the first chapter (Introduction) cover?

The Introduction sets the stage by outlining the historical context of the Puritans' migration to the New World, including their religious motivations and arrival in Massachusetts. It introduces William Bradford and *Of Plymouth Plantation*, highlighting Bradford's initial characterization of Native Americans as "savage and brutish men." It also mentions existing scholarship and identifies the gap this thesis aims to fill regarding Bradford's creation of differing characters within the Native American population.

What does the second chapter (Savagism) discuss?

The Savagism chapter explores the prevalent concepts of savagism during the colonial period, contrasting differing Enlightenment views on humanity's inherent nature. It examines the common perception of Native Americans as the antithesis of civilization and lays the foundation for understanding the cultural context within which Bradford's portrayal is interpreted.

What are some of the keywords associated with this analysis?

The keywords include William Bradford, *Of Plymouth Plantation*, Native Americans, Savagism, Puritanism, Colonialism, Noble Savage, Ignoble Savage, Stylistic Devices, Historical Representation, Biased Narrative, and Unilateral Reporting.

What does the introduction say about Bradford's initial perception of Native Americans?

The introduction highlights that Bradford initially characterized Native Americans as "savage and brutish men," which sets the tone for the subsequent analysis of his biased portrayal.

What is the significance of discussing Rousseau in the context of Savagism?

The discussion of Rousseau's critique of previous philosophers who failed to separate societal concepts from the "state of nature" provides a crucial lens for analyzing Bradford's own biases in his portrayal of Native Americans.

What is meant by "unilateral reporting" in the context of Bradford's work?

"Unilateral reporting" refers to Bradford's strategy of presenting events primarily from his own perspective, potentially omitting or downplaying alternative viewpoints, particularly those of the Native Americans. This contributes to a biased narrative.