Final answer:
Charles Mann's description of Native Americans is more nuanced and anthropological compared to William Bradford's often negative portrayal, which is reflective of his Puritan beliefs and the colonial agenda. However, Bradford's accounts also have instances where Native Americans are acknowledged positively, evidencing a complex relationship between the colonists and indigenous peoples.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing Descriptions of Native Americans in Historical Texts
When we compare Charles Mann's description of Native Americans in Coming of Age in the Dawnland with William Bradford's account in From of Plymouth Plantation, we see contrasting depictions of the same people. Mann's portrayal tends to be more nuanced and anthropological, providing insight into the complex socio-cultural systems of Native American societies. Conversely, Bradford, reflecting the Puritan mindset of his time, often characterizes the Native Americans as 'savage and barbarous,' a view rooted in cultural and religious superiority. This negative characterization aligns with the Puritan idea that the land was given by God to the 'Saints' to use and improve.
Despite this, there are moments when Bradford acknowledges some positive traits in Native Americans, as seen in Good News from New England, where Edward Winslow describes Native Americans to be trustworthy and intelligent, using terms like 'quick of apprehension' and 'ripe witted.' This duality in Bradford's narrative can be attributed to the evolving relations between the colonists and the various tribes they encountered.
Another facet to consider is how these early English settlers failed to perceive the diversity among the Native communities, generalizing their culture and life, which played into the colonial goal of simplifying treaties to enforce Native removal. Both perspectives offer a window into how Western Europeans saw Native Americans, influenced by the interplay of religious beliefs, cultural misunderstandings, and political objectives during colonization.
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