Final answer:
Vaughn depicts power relations and social hierarchy among the Powhatans, while Van De Pass's portrait conveys a message of European influence. Pocahontas occupies a unique position within this hierarchy as the daughter of a powerful leader. These images contribute to the Pocahontas myth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The depiction of power relations and social hierarchy among the Powhatans can be seen in the works of Vaughn and Van De Pass. In Vaughn's work, the Powhatans are depicted as a subordinate group, with the English colonizers holding the dominant position. This can be seen in John Smith's map of Virginia, where Powhatan is depicted above other local leaders, denoting his authority. Pocahontas, as the daughter of a powerful Native American leader, occupies a unique position within this hierarchy. She is depicted as having some agency and power, as exemplified by her interactions with John Smith and her eventual marriage to John Rolfe.
Van De Pass's portrait of Pocahontas, completed when she was presented at court in England, conveys the message of European influence and assimilation. Pocahontas is depicted in European garb and poses, signaling her acceptance and adoption of European culture. This portrayal aligns with the colonial agenda of promoting colonization and converting the Powhatan people to Christianity. These images contribute to the perpetuation of the Pocahontas myth, which portrays her as a noble savage who willingly embraced European culture and played a significant role in the colonization of America.