Captivity NarrativesCaptivity Narratives

Most popular and profitable of Puritan Most popular and profitable of Puritan LiteratureLiterature Tells the story of one individualTells the story of one individual

Usually a passive participant (doesn’t fight back)Usually a passive participant (doesn’t fight back) Who awaits delivery from evil by a rescue from the grace Who awaits delivery from evil by a rescue from the grace

of Godof God Faces tests and temptations—any action that might be Faces tests and temptations—any action that might be

considered “Indian” or “savage” represented a win for the considered “Indian” or “savage” represented a win for the DevilDevil

Compares what happens to him/her to the trials and Compares what happens to him/her to the trials and tribulations of Biblical characterstribulations of Biblical characters

Captivity NarrativesCaptivity Narratives

Between 1675-1763, approximately 1,700 Between 1675-1763, approximately 1,700 Colonists were taken captive by Native Colonists were taken captive by Native AmericansAmericans Why? Why?

RevengeRevenge RansomRansom To replace lost tribe members (usually Colonial Women To replace lost tribe members (usually Colonial Women

were taken as wives of Native Americans to repopulate were taken as wives of Native Americans to repopulate tribe)tribe)

Captivity NarrativesCaptivity Narratives

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements Rhetorical PurposesRhetorical Purposes

Reinforced stereotypes about “savage” IndiansReinforced stereotypes about “savage” Indians Reinforced Puritan belief that Satan (in the form of Reinforced Puritan belief that Satan (in the form of

Indians) was threatening the religious societyIndians) was threatening the religious society Justified the killing of Indians and the taking of their Justified the killing of Indians and the taking of their

landslands

Other types of Captivity Narratives—Slave Other types of Captivity Narratives—Slave NarrativesNarratives

Mary RowlandsonMary Rowlandson

BackgroundBackground King Phillip’s War: 1675-1678King Phillip’s War: 1675-1678

Phillip=Metacomet, Chief of Wampanoag Phillip=Metacomet, Chief of Wampanoag First Indian War after treaty between Bradford and First Indian War after treaty between Bradford and

Squanto in 1621Squanto in 1621 Rowlandson—wife of Puritan MinisterRowlandson—wife of Puritan Minister

Captivity lasted 11 weeksCaptivity lasted 11 weeks Credits her survival during captivity to her sustained Credits her survival during captivity to her sustained

faith in Godfaith in God

A Narrative of the CaptivityA Narrative of the Captivity Book is broken into 20 removes, or journeys, the Wampanoag took MR onBook is broken into 20 removes, or journeys, the Wampanoag took MR on

First American best sellerFirst American best seller Purpose: to thrill, to titillate, to reinforce notions of “savage Indian”Purpose: to thrill, to titillate, to reinforce notions of “savage Indian”

In what way would this benefit the colonists? In what way would this benefit the colonists? Themes in narrativeThemes in narrative

Fear and revulsion of New WorldFear and revulsion of New World How does Rowlandson learn to adapt and survive while with the How does Rowlandson learn to adapt and survive while with the

Native Americans? Where is there evidence that she does learn to Native Americans? Where is there evidence that she does learn to adapt? adapt?

In what ways does the tribe seem to allow Rowlandson some In what ways does the tribe seem to allow Rowlandson some freedom, either mental or physical, during her captivity? What freedom, either mental or physical, during her captivity? What does this tell us about her captors? does this tell us about her captors?

A Narrative of the CaptivityA Narrative of the Captivity

Table workTable work Follow Rowlandson’s changing attitudes toward her Follow Rowlandson’s changing attitudes toward her

captorscaptors During initial kidnapping and 1During initial kidnapping and 1stst &3 &3rdrd Removes Removes During 5During 5thth and 6 and 6thth Removes Removes Ashuelot ValleyAshuelot Valley

For each instance, have a marked text referenceFor each instance, have a marked text reference What do you think was the primary reason for What do you think was the primary reason for

Rowlandson’s change in attitude toward her Rowlandson’s change in attitude toward her captors? captors?