Comparison Between John Smith and William Bradford

In William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation he articulates that living in young America was a tough life that included dangerous living, starvation and disease. Bradford sailed from Holland with the Pilgrims and when their first governor died in 1621 Bradford was elected. Bradford’s opinion was well respected in the community and he was reelected to his position thirty times. This position gave him the ability to have many of his works published and read by many. An example of him describing the new world as dangerous is when he painted the picture of a wicked forest across “the whole country” . He went on to describe this forest as having a “wild and savage hue”. Another problem addressed in William Bradford’s piece is starvation. He described that once winter arrived many people began to die and by February “half [the] company died”. Finally Bradford described the new world as a haven for disease. As the starvation began to set in in the early winter so did the

To many Europeans in the early 17th century the Americas seemed as a new land of opportunity. John Smith and William Bradford were two of the first men who left England seeking adventure and freedom in the New World. Both groups had difficulties while trying to form their colonies and Smith and Bradford were both elected to lead. While they were both great leaders they had very different lives before their journey from England. While starting their new colonies they also took different approaches to making the land habitable. One of the most notable differences between John Smith and William Bradford was their writing style. John Smith and William Bradford were very different people in

When the first colonists landed in the territories of the new world, they encountered a people and a culture that no European before them had ever seen. As the first of the settlers attempted to survive in a truly foreign part of the world, their written accounts would soon become popular with those curious of this “new” world, and those who already lived and survived in this seemingly inhospitable environment, Native American Indian. Through these personal accounts, the Native Indian soon became cemented in the American narrative, playing an important role in much of the literature of the era. As one would expect though, the representation of the Native Americans and their relationship with European Americans varies in the written works of the people of the time, with the defining difference in these works being the motives behind the writing. These differences and similarities can be seen in two similar works from two rather different authors, John Smith, and Mary Rowlandson.

Captain John Smith and William Bradford are different in their view of the Native Americans. When comparing John Smith and William Bradford's work they wrote with different styles, due to differing audiences and purposes. Smith wrote things based on all the action, promoting himself in a third person “tall tale,” in order to establish a higher government position and bring more hard-working Englishmen to the New World. Using detail and supposed thoughts. John Smith’s work can nearly be titled as a novel and has been passed down through newer versions, such as Disney’s “Pocahontas” or “Avatar.” To compare, William Bradford’s work it probably will never turn into a movie, as it is more factual and serves as a rather boring account of the

William Bradford and John Smith were both early American writers; however, their writing styles were very different. They began writing around the same time with Smith starting in 1608 and Bradford starting in 1630. Smith wrote three books: A Description of New England, The General History, and A True Relation. However, Bradford wrote only one book called Of Plymouth Plantation. Bradford’s writing style is easy to read but still well written. Smith’s writing, on the other hand, is difficult to follow. In Smith’s The General History, he expresses that he has a low regard for the Native Americans in the way he frequently refers to them as savages. On the other hand, Bradford demonstrates a high regard for them when he wrote about them helping the Plymouth settlement. Just as their writing styles are different, so are their motives for writing. Bradford wrote because he did not want the Plymouth Plantation settlement to be forgotten, whereas Smith wrote for money and to promote exploration of the New World. The theme of Smith’s writing was very secular, even

Clearly the new world was not an easy place to live in, considering half the people died in Jamestown in the first four months of being there. John Smith and William Bradford were two men who both wrote of their experiences in America during the early 1600s. Through their writing, these authors help readers better understand the colonies of Jamestown and Plymouth. The two writings told of life in the colonies and what it was like to have lived there. Though both colonies experienced many hardships, when one considers the leadership, Native American relations, and style of writing, it is clear that Plymouth was the better colony.

Captain John Smith and William Bradford were both american settlers that came from England. Both John Smith and William Bradford were looking for a better life in the New World yet with many different ideas and beliefs. For example Jamestown came for business and trade purposes and the Plymouth Colony came for religious reasons. Jamestown was founded in 1607 and was lead by captain John Smith.(Smith pg.73) The Plymouth Plantations were founded in 1620 and was lead by William Bradford.(Bradford pg. 5)

John Smith and William bradford were from in England. They both wrote stories about what had happened during the time they are in America and also to them they’re one of a great leader. But smith and bradford have different purposes, they both lead to encourage the native Americans and to help them. So they wanted to have a settlement where they can form a group for new life.

Rip Van Winkle, a story written by Washington Irving in the early 1800s, demonstrates the emergence and development of American Mythology. Packed full of mythological elements, Irving’s tale depicts a man who encounters mysterious and fantastical characters in equally intriguing settings. Rip Van Winkle displays three major factors that contribute to mythology: mysterious, historical setting, remarkable and strange characters, and heroic, magical events and their consequences.

Washington Irving, author of Rip van winkle, illustrates the Romantic hero a little differently then Longfellow. Although there are some differences, the overall impression the characters give is similar.

One of the first myths of America is “Rip Van Winkle”. “Rip Van Winkle” gives us a very magical and beautiful setting to imagine and exaggerated characters and events to make the readers laugh and enjoy reading the story. The characters make the story more familiar and human and the events make the story memorable and fun to read. Although “Rip Van Winkle” is an older story, readers today still read and enjoy it. “Rip Van Winkle” is set in a very magical and remote place, the Kaatskill Mountains and for the most part the story is focused in the past.

Washington Irving wrote Rip Van Winkle in 1819 around the time of the American Revolution. British ruled the colonies and they were so determined to break free. The period prior to the revolution and after was evident with change. The society altered in extreme shared, political and analytical aspects. Freedom to do as they wanted was their main objective. One could easily compare this time period to the story of Rip Van Winkle. This is a story about change and transformation. The story revolves around a family man known as Rip and his demanding wife Dame. Rip had no desire to do any constructive work because he was a pretty happy mortal that didn’t take very much serious, and would rather starve than work for a penny. (Irving 32) Instead, he preferred to have fun with the children and socialize with the neighbors helping them with their

Rip Van Winkle is an ineffectual male hero who cannot support his farm or family. Instead of facing the consequences of his idleness and facing his wife, who certainly makes the problem worse instead of better, he sleeps for twenty years. Finally, he is of such an age that his idleness is excusable and allowed. This makes him an antithesis to the American dream. He has no ambition, he does not work hard for himself, and he does not rise above where he began. He just likes to chat and have friends.He also sleeps through what was the defining moment of American history, and upon waking, he does not even care. This develops him as the American anti-hero, for he takes no part in the country’s founding or history. His story makes sense as more of an Old World story, one that the Dutch settlers, in their relatively old village, can retell. The story also shows that great historical events are often less important than the daily happenings in an individual’s life. The only oppressor Rip Van Winkle cares about having overcome is his wife.

Washington Irving was born on April 3, 1783 just as the British recognized the United States’ independence. “Rip Van Winkle” is one of the most famous stories from the post- revolution period in American literature. Rip and his wife Dame Van Winkle, have a bit of a problem. Dame keeps nagging and Rip is still sitting and sleeping all the time. Rip is good nature but he is also very lazy. Rip’s idleness is viewed by the neighbors and his wife.

For my paper, I will re-read his famous work, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and his other famous work, Rip Van Winkle. As I read the two, I need to jot down notes about what Irving writes most into the stories dealing with humor and irony