Question

Smith is an imaginative writer, a dramatist and self- dramatist as well as a chronicler and advocate for European settlement. Smith, an

Englishman, has become part of the American mythology.
We can look at The General History of Virginia as an American adventure story and observe ways in which it configures actual events and
experiences to appeal to a London audience. The moment of encounter has passed, for Smith, and the shift to settlement and
exploitation has begun. Indeed, Smith's job was
to make the Americas safe for colonial growth, and as his General History demonstrates, when "trade and courtesy" failed, he resorted to
force.
In your initial post, consider the following:
• Smith's explorations unfolded during a golden age of English theater. What hints of theatrical thinking do you see in Smith's account of
his own adventure?
• As a cultural myth, the Pocahontas story describes a typical archetypal story of a young woman who crosses cultural boundaries and
changes the world. Perhaps John Smith's retelling of his encounter with Pocahontas may be highly fictionalized, too. Consider the
Disney restyling of the Pocahontas story. In what ways might the "history" of the Pocahontas account been reworked to reflect current
cultural values?

Answer 1

Smith's account of his own adventure contains hints of theatrical thinking, as he often portrays himself as the central figure in dramatic, larger-than-life situations. For example, he describes being captured by the Powhatan Indians and brought before their chief, who was about to execute him when Pocahontas intervened and saved his life. This scene has all the hallmarks of a dramatic plot, complete with a near-death experience and a heroic rescue. Smith also frequently uses vivid imagery and descriptive language to heighten the drama of his experiences and engage his audience's imagination.

Regarding the Pocahontas story, it is possible that John Smith's retelling of his encounter with her may have been highly fictionalized, as it was written for a London audience and may have been shaped to fit the expectations and values of that audience. Similarly, the Disney restyling of the Pocahontas story is also likely to have been reworked to reflect current cultural values. For example, the film emphasizes the importance of environmentalism and portrays Pocahontas as a strong, independent woman who stands up for her people and fights against oppression. These values are important in contemporary American society, and the film's retelling of the Pocahontas story reflects this.