A Narrative Of The Captivity And Restoration Of Mary Rowlandson

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Cultural Chameleon An Essay on Mary Rowlandson as a go-between figure amidst a Puritan background in her work “A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson” Although Mary Rowlandson’s narrative speaks greatly of Puritan faith and culture, the Puritan lens is lifted and at some points entirely neglected. Thus telling not only the story of the faithful women withstanding and surviving savages, but one of cultural contact and assimilation. Rowlandson’s stray from a Puritan narrative and the establishment of her as a go-between figure accompanied by substantial character development will be explored specifically in “The 19th Remove”. Mary Rowlandson’s work „A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson“, …show more content…

When “ The [old] squaw […] [shows] kindness” (p. 256) to her, she does not interpret this act of good fortune as an act of God’s grace, exemplified by a biblical reference as she does on other occasions. This seemingly small gesture shows a great amount of development of her character, acknowledging the Natives for the first time as compassionate human beings. Furthermore, Rowlandson suddenly portrays her Native mistress differently, “ A severe and proud dame she was, bestowing every day in dressing herself neat […].” (p. 256). Not only is she witnessing and recording Native customs, she is describing the Native women in a respectful, almost admiring manner. In contrast to earlier accounts she humanizes her by using positively connoted words such as “ proud”. This change of tone is essential to her narrative throughout the entire paragraph. A strong case for her altered narrative can be made for Rowlandson’s venture into economic relations with the Natives. She starts a small trade business exchanging labor “knit him three pair of stockings” (p. 256) for goods “for which I had a hat” (p. 256). This aspect of her text
 brings forth another aspect of cultural contact, stripping away notions of superiority by Rowlandson and turning into a relationship relying purely on exchanging goods. As a result Rowlandson becomes a productive part of the Native …show more content…

Rowlandson is asked to sit “ among them, as [she] was wont to do, as their manner is.” (p. 257), showing that she is both familiar with Native customs as well as incorporated into their life. This display of Native respect towards her and vice versa is further explored in a later passage, when she is allowed to witness a Native ritual, “ before they went to that fight they got a company together to powwow.” (p. 257). Instead of leaving or not paying attention, Rowlandson observes and takes note of every detail, demonstrating a certain amount of interest and respect for their cultural

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