Comparison of the Ideas and Style of 17th Century Colonial American Writers Captain John Smith and William Bradford

Comparison of the Ideas and Style of 17th Century Colonial American Writers Captain John Smith and William Bradford

Captain John Smith and William Bradford are two of the most important figures in early Colonial American literature. Their works offer distinct perspectives on the settlement of the New World, shaped by their unique roles and personal experiences. Smith’s writings primarily focus on exploration and the adventure of the New World, while Bradford’s writings are rooted in the religious motivations of the Pilgrims and their quest for religious freedom. Despite both authors being products of the same historical period, their ideas, styles, and purposes differ significantly, reflecting their individual backgrounds and priorities.

1. Historical Context and Personal Motivations

Captain John Smith (1580–1631): Smith was an adventurer, soldier, and explorer who played a significant role in the establishment of the Jamestown colony in Virginia. His writings, particularly in The Generall Historie of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624), are often seen as a combination of travelogue, autobiography, and promotional material. Smith’s motivations were often commercial, as he sought to attract further investment in the New World colonies and to glorify his own role in the exploration and establishment of these colonies. His accounts are focused on adventure, survival, and the relationship with Native Americans.
William Bradford (1590–1657): Bradford was a religious leader and one of the Pilgrims who settled Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1620. His Of Plymouth Plantation (written between 1630 and 1651) offers a deeply religious account of the Pilgrims’ journey, struggles, and settlement in the New World. Bradford’s motivations were driven by faith, as he sought to document the religious journey of the Pilgrims and their covenant with God. His work emphasizes divine providence, the role of God in their success and survival, and the moral and religious purposes behind their migration.

2. Ideas on the New World and Its Promise

Smith’s View: Smith’s writings are often characterized by an optimistic and adventurous view of the New World. He portrays the Americas as a land of opportunity and abundant resources. His accounts, particularly in his Map of Virginia, highlight the potential of the New World for trade, wealth, and personal success. Smith focuses on the challenges of colonization, but his accounts are often self-congratulatory and emphasize his role as a central figure in overcoming those challenges. Smith’s interactions with Native Americans, such as his famous meeting with Powhatan, are depicted with a sense of conflict but also with a tone of reconciliation and exploration, suggesting that the New World could be a place for both English settlers and Native peoples to coexist under European influence.
Bradford’s View: In contrast, Bradford’s writing reflects a more spiritual and cautious approach to the New World. His portrayal of the New World is shaped by religious concerns, seeing the wilderness as a place to establish a society based on Christian principles. Bradford is more focused on survival through divine intervention and the will of God, portraying the settlers as being part of a larger plan for religious freedom and redemption. The Pilgrims’ journey is often depicted as a divinely guided mission, with their struggles framed as tests of faith. Unlike Smith, Bradford emphasizes the moral and religious aspect of colonization, highlighting the Pilgrims’ devotion to God over the material promises of the New World.

3. The Role of Native Americans

Smith’s Portrayal of Native Americans: Smith’s relationship with Native Americans is portrayed as a mixture of conflict, curiosity, and diplomacy. In his writings, particularly in his accounts of Virginia, Smith describes his interactions with Native American tribes with an emphasis on adventure and occasionally exaggerates his role as a hero in encounters with indigenous peoples. His famous story of being captured by Powhatan and later being “rescued” by Pocahontas has been questioned for its accuracy, but it highlights Smith’s tendency to present himself as central to the unfolding drama of colonization. While Smith acknowledges the hostility between settlers and Native Americans, he also portrays the Native peoples as potential allies, suggesting that trade and cooperation are possible.
Bradford’s Portrayal of Native Americans: Bradford’s view of Native Americans is more cautious and often influenced by a religious framework. While he describes some peaceful encounters with the Native tribes, his primary concern is the Pilgrims’ survival and the role of Native Americans in aiding or hindering this survival. For example, Bradford recounts the help the Pilgrims received from Squanto, a member of the Patuxet tribe who had previously been captured by the English and learned English, and how this aid was seen as a divine blessing. However, Bradford also notes instances of conflict and distrust between the settlers and the Native tribes. His overall view of Native Americans tends to be more skeptical and focused on the role of divine providence in ensuring the Pilgrims’ safety.

4. Writing Style and Tone

Smith’s Style: Smith’s writing is often dramatic, self-promoting, and filled with vivid descriptions. He writes in a straightforward, narrative style but with a flair for exaggeration and adventure. His accounts read like heroic tales, with a focus on his own bravery and the triumph of the English settlers. Smith’s language is enthusiastic and sometimes hyperbolic, seeking to inspire his audience with tales of glory, exploration, and potential riches. This is especially evident in his descriptions of the New World’s natural resources and the possibilities for future colonization.
Bradford’s Style: Bradford’s style is more restrained, formal, and reflective. His writing is deeply religious and often written in a plain, unadorned style. Of Plymouth Plantation is characterized by its earnestness and reverence for God. Bradford’s tone is serious and meditative, often reflecting on the Pilgrims’ spiritual journey and the lessons learned from their struggles. The writing is less concerned with adventure or personal glory than Smith’s, focusing more on the group’s religious mission and their collective perseverance. Bradford uses a narrative form that conveys both the hardships and the spiritual rewards of the Pilgrims’ experience.

5. Legacy and Influence

Smith’s Legacy: Smith’s legacy is more closely tied to the promotion of the New World as a place of economic opportunity and adventure. His works, particularly his writings on Virginia and the Americas, were instrumental in shaping European perceptions of the New World and attracting settlers and investors. His self-promotion and larger-than-life persona helped establish him as a key figure in early American exploration, though his works are often criticized for embellishing his own importance.
Bradford’s Legacy: Bradford’s legacy, on the other hand, is more aligned with the religious foundations of American colonization, particularly the Puritans’ quest for religious freedom. His writings have had a profound influence on the perception of the Pilgrims as a foundational group in American history, particularly in terms of the notion of America as a “city upon a hill,” a place for religious liberty and moral purity. Bradford’s accounts remain central to the study of early American Puritanism and the religious motivations behind colonization.

6. Conclusion: Contrasting Views of Colonization

In summary, Captain John Smith and William Bradford present two very different but equally important perspectives on the early settlement of America. Smith’s writings are focused on exploration, adventure, and commercial potential, while Bradford’s account is steeped in religious faith, moral reflection, and the idea of the New World as a divinely ordained mission. Smith’s works highlight the individual and material aspects of colonization, whereas Bradford’s writings emphasize collective survival and religious devotion. Both authors, however, contributed significantly to the myth-making of early America, shaping the national narrative in distinct but complementary ways.