Texts written during the time of the settlement in America often include descriptions of Indian tribes and Native Americans. In these descriptions the Indians are often called “Savages” because of their outer appearance and their behaviour. But were those Indians really savages, barbarians or devils? Were they as uncivilized as often dscribed or are those images the result of misunderstandings? Is it possible that they were more civilized than the White Men? To answer these question it is necessary to have a closer look on those texts, for example, the texts of John Smith and Benjamin Franklin who build up different pictures of the Native Americans and the White Men. Smith’s and Franklin’s texts have varying approaches and backgrounds but both men had close contact to the Indians. Therefore their texts are good basics to answer the questions in an objective way because their varying descriptions make it possible to carefully consider the facts and opinions. Because both texts are subjective it is also necessary to give some facts about Indian tribes and their ways of life. John Smith’s text is about the Powhatan whereas Benjamin Franklin mostly writes about the Iroquois. Therefore it is obvious to also consider facts about those tribes and not only refer to Smith and Franklin. All these backgroung information will help to clearify who “the real savages” are.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. John Smith
2.1. From “The General History of Virginia” [...]
2.1.1. Image of the Native Americans
2.1.2. Image of the White Man
2.2. Explanations concerning Smith’s descriptions
2.3. Conclusion
3. Benjamin Franklin
3.1. From Remarks concerning the Savages of North America
3.1.1. Image of the Native Americans
3.1.2. Image of the White Man
3.2. Irony and Explanation
3.3. Conclusion
4. Other Images of the Native Americans
4.1. American Indians - A General Overview
4.2. The Powhatan
4.3. The Iroquois
5. Conclusion – Who are the real Savages?
Research Objectives and Themes
This research paper examines the historical construction of the term "savage" through the textual analysis of works by John Smith and Benjamin Franklin, aiming to deconstruct the prejudiced binary opposition between Native Americans and European settlers.
- Comparative analysis of John Smith’s and Benjamin Franklin’s portrayals of Native American and White European behavior.
- Investigation of the concept of civility and the subjectivity of cultural perceptions in colonial literature.
- Exploration of the historical realities of the Powhatan and Iroquois nations as context for the texts.
- Deconstruction of the "noble savage" stereotype and the critique of colonial hypocrisy.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.1. Image of the Native Americans
Smith’s description of the Native Americans is ambivalent because it includes positive as well as negative characteristics. The text begins with a description of the settlers’ situation upon their arrival in Virginia where they start building up Jamestown. The journey to America is exhausting and many men die because of hunger and cold. They arrive in winter and “all [their] provision [is] spend” but they are lucky because the savages “[bring] such plenty of their fruits and provision as no men wanted” although it is said that God “changed the hearts of the savages”. This shows that the Natives are very hospitable because they welcome the strangers with food and do not let them starve but also that the settlers make God responsible for that luck, not the Natives. Smith also describes them as strange and different.
“Sixty or seventy of them, some black, some red, some white, some patricolored, came in a square order, singing and dancing out of the woods with their Okee (which was an idol made of skins, stuffed with moss, all painted and hung with chains and copper) borne before them, all in this manner, being well armed with clubs, targets, bows, arrows [...]”
Because of their lack of knowledge about the Powhatan they appear to Smith as “barbarians”. Nevertheless, the settlers do trade with the savages and the Natives who, on the other hand, “[sing] and [dance] in sign of friendship till they [depart]” which implies that the Natives are positive about the settlers. They do not attack the settlers but try to arrange themselves with the newly arrived strangers. But while being peaceful and hospitable on the one side, the Natives capture Smith while he is about to explore the country on his search for food.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the research question regarding the validity of the "savage" label applied to Native Americans during the American colonial period and outlines the comparative approach between the texts of John Smith and Benjamin Franklin.
2. John Smith: This chapter analyzes Smith’s writings on the Powhatan, highlighting the ambivalent portrayal of Natives as both hospitable providers and frightening, uncivilized barbarians, while also evaluating Smith's own actions as a settler.
3. Benjamin Franklin: This chapter examines Franklin’s ironic approach in "Remarks concerning the Savages of North America," demonstrating how he flips colonial stereotypes to critique the impoliteness and intolerance of European settlers.
4. Other Images of the Native Americans: This section provides a broader factual overview of the Powhatan and Iroquois nations, detailing their complex social structures, governments, and harmony with nature to contrast with colonial misconceptions.
5. Conclusion – Who are the real Savages?: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, arguing that the label of "savage" is a construct born of prejudice and that both groups displayed behaviors that could be considered civilized or uncivilized.
Keywords
Native Americans, John Smith, Benjamin Franklin, Colonialism, Savages, Civility, Powhatan, Iroquois, Stereotypes, Cultural Perception, Jamestown, Hospitality, Diplomacy, Settlers, Frontier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the historical construction of the term "savage" in colonial American texts to determine if the negative characterization of Native Americans was justified or merely a result of cultural misunderstanding.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The core themes include the comparative portrayal of indigenous peoples versus European settlers, the role of cultural perspective in shaping historical narratives, and the impact of colonial prejudices on inter-group relations.
What is the central research question?
The research asks whether the Native Americans were truly the savages they were often described as, or if the "savage" behaviors observed were a result of misinterpretation, and whether the European settlers demonstrated equivalent or superior levels of "civility."
Which scientific method is employed?
The study utilizes a qualitative textual analysis of primary source documents, specifically John Smith's "The General History of Virginia" and Benjamin Franklin's "Remarks concerning the Savages of North America," supported by historical background research on the Powhatan and Iroquois tribes.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body investigates the ambivalent descriptions provided by John Smith, the ironic commentary of Benjamin Franklin regarding European vs. indigenous manners, and the socio-political organization of the Powhatan and Iroquois confederacies.
Which key terms characterize the study?
The study is defined by concepts such as cultural relativity, colonial prejudice, the "noble savage" archetype, and the specific historical interactions between early settlers and the Powhatan and Iroquois nations.
How does Benjamin Franklin use irony to address colonial views?
Franklin uses irony by describing the "savages'" hospitality, politeness, and structured social councils as the true standard of civility, thereby exposing the hypocrisy and lack of decorum in the European settlers' own behavior.
What does the author conclude regarding the term "savage"?
The author concludes that "savage" is an ill-conceived label driven by prejudice; neither group had a monopoly on "civility," and the term loses its meaning when one gains a deeper, more tolerant understanding of the cultural differences in question.
- Quote paper
- Jessica Narloch (Author), 2006, White men or Native Americans: Who are the real savages?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/70462
