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Facts about john smith and william bradford
History of colonial america
John smith vs william bradford comparison
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English colonists Captain John Smith and William Bradford were both explorers that made their way into the New World during the 1600s. There are many similarities and contrasts between John Smith and William Bradford. For instance, both Smith and Bradford wanted to leave England and write about their experiences in the New World. They wanted to inhabit the New World with working men, utilize the fertile land, and attract settlers with their writings. However, although both men had the same intentions, they wrote for different purposes. John Smith made his way to Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 and narrates his story in 3rd person. He portrays himself as a hero, and wrote his encounters as propaganda. Although the Natives were accepting of Smith
and welcomed him with food, Smith thought that the Natives were hostile and refers to them as barbarians and savages. “Six or seven weeks those barbarians kept him prisoner, many strange triumphs they made of him, yet he so demeaned himself amongst them, as he not only diverted them from surprising the fort, but procured his own liberty, and got himself and his company such estimation amongst them, that those savages admired him.” (Smith 72) Smith thought highly only of himself, he had no regard for the Native Americans. His main purpose in the New World was to become rich. Bradford arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621, and narrates his story in 1st person. In contrast to Smith, Bradford wrote realistic accounts of his encounter in the New World, and wrote not only about himself, but the group as a whole. He was a puritan who migrated to the New World to find religious freedom and worship. Additionally, Bradford respects the Native Americans, he refers to them only as Indians, and even considers some of them to be his allies. Bradford knew without the help of the Native Americans his colony would not have survived, and consistently thanks them and God throughout his writing. Whereas, Smith thought they were of no help and only credited himself. Smith and Bradford had very contrasting personalities. Smith was biased and egotistical, unlike Bradford who was humble and modest. Despite their differences, they were both leaders who desired to settle in America and their writings of their views of the Natives and the New World remain influential to this day.