Final answer:
Mary Rowlandson's captivity narrative is significant for its influence on autobiographical literature and the Indian captivity genre, as well as contributing to Native American stereotypes. Her narrative's detailed account of her ordeal during King Philip's War made it an immediate sensation. Her description of her captors and her Puritan faith's role in her survival contributed to the popularity and impact of the text.option a is correct
Step-by-step explanation:
Mary Rowlandson's A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson is a significant historical text because it influenced the development of autobiographical writings and novels, particularly the Indian captivity story genre. Rowlandson's narrative details her experience being held captive by Native American tribes during King Philip's War, and upon her release, she described the harrowing ordeal in her 1682 publication, often emphasizing her Puritan faith as a source of sustenance. The text contributed to stereotypes of Native Americans and became an immediate bestseller, reflecting the complex dynamics of colonization and indigenous resistance.
Rowlandson characterizes her captors as 'cruel' and 'inhumane,' which reflected and helped shape the colonial perception of Native Americans. However, her meetings with the Wampanoag leader Metacom are also depicted, offering a nuanced look into her experience. The compelling nature of her narrative comes from its vivid descriptions of her treatment, cultural interactions, and the overall drama of her abduction and eventual restoration.