Comparison Of Bradford And Smith Essay, Research Paper

Brian Bird

CP English 11

Comparison Essay

Comparison Essay

Although Captain John Smith and William Bradford, historians and leaders of their respective colonies, Jamestown and Plymouth, wanted to attract settlers to their colonies through their writings, the specific means they took to accomplish their goals varied. First, in spite of the fact each wanted to set an example for the colonists that joined them, Smith strived to attract those with courage and an adventurous spirit while Bradford tried to appeal to the Godly men and women. Second while each conveyed the sense of an untamed setting in the New World, Smith emphasized the sense of adventure and romance while Bradford focused on the hardships and difficulties experienced by the colonists. Finally in spite of the fact that each wrote about similar experiences, Smith uses elaborate descriptions and writing style in his focus on adventure while Bradford employs biblical allusions and simplicity in his writing that is focused on God.

In Smith?s General History he shows his rugged and brave characteristics that he wants out of his colonists. He uses tales of danger and hardships, some of which are true, to appeal to the brave and those with courage to come join him. ??Then as many as could laid hands on him, dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head, and being ready to beat out his brains, Pocahontas, the King?s dearest daughter, when no entreaty could prevail, got his head in her arms, and laid her own upon his to save him from death??(Smith. Quoted in Hodgins and Silverman, 15). This shows how his use of dangerous and exciting tales is used to attract the courageous to Jamestown, his colony. Whereas Smith tried to appeal to the courageous, Bradford tried to appeal to the godly men and women. His use of biblical allusions was used to attract those that had knowledge of the bible, as he was a devout Puritan. ?Our Fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto the Lord, and He heard their voice and looked on their adversity?(Bradford. Quoted in Hodgins and Silverman, 20), an allusion to the plight of the Israelites in Egypt (Deuteronomy 26:5-8). He compared the settlers to different people in the bible to try and show that it was good to join them, that if you did, it would please God.

Although each writer conveyed the untamed wilderness in their writings, Smith emphasized the sense of adventure and romance in his attempt to get those with an adventuresome spirit. He uses Pocahontas in this sense as the romantic twist is added in. Smith also used the Indians, savages as he calls them, to portray a sense of danger to his encounters. The tale of him traveling to Jamestown with the 12 Indian guides shows how he uses this. Bradford, on the other hand, focused on the hardships and difficulties experienced by the colonists. ?And for the buckling of the main beam, there was a great iron screw the passengers brought out of Holland, which would raise the beam into its place; the which being done, the carpenter and master affirmed that with a post put under it, set firm in the lower deck and other ways bound, he would make it sufficient.?(Bradford. Quoted in Hodgins and Silverman, 18). But as he uses these hardships to convey a point that God is providential and that it is all happening for a reason.

In spite of the fact that each wrote about similar experiences, Smith uses elaborate descriptions and writing style in his focus on adventure. Smith uses an omniscient point of view to make an example of him to his present and future colonists. Bradford, on the other hand, employs biblical allusions and simplicity in his writing that he focused on God. ?Let them therefor praise the Lord, because He is good: and His mercies endure forever. Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, show how He hath delivered them from the oppressor. When they wandered in the desert of wilderness out of the way, and found no city to dwell in, both hungry and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in them. Let them confess before the Lord His loving kindness and His wonderful works before the sons of men.? (Bradford. Quoted in Hodgins and Silverman, 20-21).

Although Captain John Smith and William Bradford, historians and leaders of their respective colonies, Jamestown and Plymouth, wanted to attract settlers to their colonies through their writings, the specific means they took to accomplish their goals varied. First, in spite of the fact each wanted to set an example for the colonists that joined them, Smith strived to attract those with courage and an adventurous spirit while Bradford tried to appeal to the Godly men and women. Second while each conveyed the sense of an untamed setting in the New World, Smith emphasized the sense of adventure and romance while Bradford focused on the hardships and difficulties experienced by the colonists. Finally in spite of the fact that each wrote about similar experiences, Smith uses elaborate descriptions and writing style in his focus on adventure while Bradford employs biblical allusions and simplicity in his writing that is focused on God.