In the cartoon film “Pocahontas” Disney screen writers attempted to make a film that could depict a certain period of history while still making it entertaining for younger viewers. The film was meant to introduce the history of early colonization in America to younger generations in ways that would be easy to understand, yet educational because of the topic matter. However, because of the numerous historical inaccuracies, it's almost as if Disney completely disregarded the historical aspect of the story and took an entirely different route. Overall, there are several historical accuracies and inaccuracies that leave historians to question the historical value of the film and the lessons it is teaching to younger generations on early American …show more content…
exploration. Initially, in the world beyond the film, in the early 16th century the Puritans felt as if they no longer shared the same beliefs as the rest of England and wanted complete reformation of the Catholic Church.
Many decided to travel across the Atlantic Ocean in search of new beginnings, economic benefits, and religious freedom. In September 1607 (History) they set sail on the Mayflower. When they reached the New World they named their colony Jamestown of Virginia. However, when the settlers arrived in the New World they faced many challenges, including, malaria, problems with natives, and greed.. Captain John Smith became a significant leader of the Jamestown Colony. Smith negotiated with the natives, helped establish a sense of government, and explored the surrounding area. Smith was saved by a young Native American named Pocahontas when he was captured and almost executed by the Powhatans. These historical characters and events inspired the film “Pocahontas”. Furthermore, there are many historical inaccuracies in the film “Pocahontas” that do not correspond to the events of the early colonization of America. In 1607 when John Smith and Pocahontas first met, she was around ten or eleven …show more content…
years old, Smith was twenty seven (Gallagher). This led to the major inaccuracy of the film. In history, John Smith viewed Pocahontas as nothing more than a child, however in the film the whole plot focused around a love story between Smith and Pocahontas. The film also falsely captured the first interaction between the two characters. In the movie, it shows John Smith wander off through the forest where he meets Pocahontas at a waterfall. Historically, Jamestown was settled in the spring of 1607 and Pocahontas and Smith did not meet until he was captured by Chief Powhatan’s brother Opechancanough (National Park Service). When Smith did first encounter Pocahontas, she was naked and did not wear decorative dresses, or have tattoos. Jamestown also did not have a smooth settlement, unlike what was portrayed in the film. Diseases like malaria and dysentery contributed to many deaths of the colony. Of the 104 people who originally landed in the New World, thirty eight were still alive by 1608 (Live Science). The overall outcome of the story was also inaccurate. The Indians and the settlers did not end the fighting and create a peaceful relationship. Towards the end of the film Pocahontas is torn between following her heart and going back to England with John Smith or staying behind with her tribe. Pocahontas was not given a choice. She was kidnapped in 1613 by Captain Samuel Argall and used for ransom against her father Powhatan (Virginia Historical Society). She was later brought to England and married John Rolfe. Overall, these inaccuracies were made by Disney writers to improve the entertainment quality of the film, and were made because the actual events that took place in history were not appropriate for young audiences. Additionally, there are also several accuracies of the film that can be learned about the historical time period. In the film, Pocahontas was the daughter of the Indian Chief Powhatan (Biography). Through this relationship the audience can learn about the effect that Pocahontas had on the village and the settlers. Because she was a major leader and highly respected, she was able to negotiate between the settlers and her tribe to try and keep the peace. Possibly the strongest historical accuracy of Pocahontas was described through the beginning of the film through the song “The Virginia Company”. It explained how the settlers were able to come to the New World through the Virginia Company of London. In 1606 King James I, granted a royal charter for the colonists to travel to the New World and supplied the ships and supplies needed for the voyage (Historic Jamestowne). In addition, in both the film and in Jamestown, the colonists focused on discovering gold and silver to benefit themselves, rather than gathering food to maintain a successful village. In the film the song “Mine, mine, mine’ symbolizes the greed of the English settlers and how their main goal was to gain a profit from the Indians land. When the colonists first arrived in the New World on May, 14, 1607, they immediately took to searching for gold rather than planting crops which would be their main food source (Sheler). To conclude, There are many historical accuracies and inaccuracies of the film “Pocahontas”.
“Pocahontas” was turned into a romance story, that painted a perfect picture of American Colonization and avoided the gruesome details of history to keep the film highly entertaining. It remains only accurate for specific details that the film provided that happened to be the historically similar. Although the film is not historically valuable it teaches other lessons to younger generations. It teaches younger generations the importance of cultural tolerance, and respect for other races. It teaches children that although people can come from different backgrounds they can learn to live together for a peace and
harmony.
Pocahontas Powhatan Opechancanough, tells the story of the interactions between the Jamestown settlers and the Powhatan Indians, and how the European arrival changed the lives of the natives. the book focuses on the three Indians it is titled for and tries to explain the story of Jamestown through a less Anglo-biased view. At many times the book contradicts the story most people know of the Jamestown settlement and the major players involved. Throughout the book, author Helen Rountree goes to great lengths to tell the whole story truthfully, and when she can't give the whole story she makes it clear as to what is accepted to be true.
In the reading “Mirrored Archetypes: The Contrasting Cultural Roles of La Malinche and Pocahontas”, Kristina Downs explains how La Malinche and Pocahontas, two Native North American women have been differently perceived in the eyes of history. Although La Malinche and Pocahontas were in nearly parallel positions and acted quite similarly, they are view in very different ways. While Pocahontas is seen as a heroine for aiding the European colonizers, La Malinche holds the reputation of being the ultimate traitor to her people. The main reason why La Malinche holds such a poor reputation is because she is responsible for aiding in a violent military conquest against her own people. Pocahontas, contrastingly aided in the colonization of her homeland. Furthermore, throughout history, Pocahontas’ story continued to be told in the perspective of Englishmen, with her as the protagonist. In the case of La Malinche, her story was primarily told from the perspective of the indigenous peoples of Mexico, who felt the consequences of her actions. It is true that La Malinche aided the Spanish in their conquest, and also gave birth to the son of Hernán Cortés, a Spanish conquistador. However, it is important to remember that she was a slave and likely had no control over her actions. For this reason, she may receive more criticism than she deserves.
The Disney movie Pocahontas is not historically accurate. There are many differences in the plot and characters. A few are that there was no love story between Pocahontas and John Smith, Pocahontas was 12 not 20 when John Smith came, John Smith was not tall and blond, and in the movie, they came to Jamestown in one ship. There are much more ways that the Movie is not historically accurate, but you can already see that it was very different from what actually happened.
Relive the adventure of 1607 when 104 Englishmen dropped anchor and began to build America's first permanent English colony in Jamestown, Virginia. Explore life at the dawn of the 17th century inside the palisade of a re-created colonial fort, discover the world of Pocahontas in the Powhatan Indian village, and experience the four-month passage to the New World on board re-creations of the three ships that brought the settlers to Virginia. Extensive indoor galleries tell the compelling stories of Jamestown, from its beginnings in England through its often turbulent first century, and of Virginia's Powhatan Indians. The dramatic film, Jamestown: The Beginning, chronicles the endurance of the first settlers as they struggled to build a lasting colony.
The Historical Interaction Between the Europeans and Indians in the Disney Movie Pocahontas Over the past couple of weeks, we have been studying the story of the Native American (Indian) princess, Pocahontas. We have studied both literature and the 1995 Disney movie. I am going to write about what methods are used to portray the relationship between these two civilisations. Both media portray the same relationship between the civilisations; this is one of mistrust, misunderstanding and dislike. From the moment the Europeans landed in "the new world", the natives were not sure of what to think of them, they looked different, sounded different and carried themselves differently.
Captain John Smith was born in 1580 in Lincolnshire, England (John Smith). At age thirteen Smith ran away to become a sailor (NPS). Smith left home again in 1596 when he was sixteen to become a soldier, he traveled to France to fight against the Spanish (Szalay). In 1600 when Smith got word that the Holy Roman Empire and Muslim Ottoman Empire were at war he set out to join the Holy Roman Empire army (NPS). In 1604 Smith returned to England and became involved with the Virginia Company of London, whose destiny was to colonize Virginia (Szalay). In December 1606 Smith and 104 settlers left England on three ships that set sail to colonize Virginia (NPS). On May 13, 1607 the three ships landed and established a colony called Jamestown (NPS). The settlers of Jamestown faced many
As a young child many of us are raised to be familiar with the Pocahontas and John Smith story. Whether it was in a Disney movie or at a school play that one first learned of Jamestown, students want to believe that this romantic relationship really did occur. As one ages, one becomes aware of the dichotomy between fact and fiction. This is brilliantly explained in David A. Price's, Love and Hate in Jamestown. Price describes a more robust account of events that really did take place in the poorly run, miserable, yet evolving settlement of Jamestown, Virginia; and engulfs and edifies the story marketed by Disney and others for young audiences. Price reveals countless facts from original documents about the history of Jamestown and other fledgling colonies, John Smith, and Smith's relationship with Pocahontas. He develops a more compelling read than does the typical high school text book and writes intriguingly which propels the reader, to continue on to the successive chapters in the early history of Virginia.
The main characters of the film were John Smith, Pocahontas and John Rolfe. Usually it is hard for films to portray c...
Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma, provides a vivid and brutally honest account of the atrocities committed against Pocahontas and her people, unlike the popular animated film released by Disney. We will never know the absolute truth behind Pocahontas and her people, or the early settlers who emigrated to Jamestown, but one truth, however, remains evident. The English had succeeded in destroying an entire culture, rich with diversity. This may not have been what the English had intended at first, but it untimely was the result of their actions against the Powhatan people and the other tribes of the surrounding region. They imposed harsh conditions which included abduction, conversion, violence, and tributes which practically impossible to
To conclude with “The General History of Virginia” and Disney’s version of Pocahontas, the two stories had two different opinions and views. Although, Disney’s portrayal of Pocahontas was perceived as an offense to the Native Americans, no one really knows the actual events that took place during that time. People will continue to think that John Smith’s version was a bit hysterical, while the Native Americans will take the Disney movie Pocahontas to an offense. John Smith and Disney both gave their own versions of their story. Others will continue to do the same.
John Smith was born in Lincolnshire, England to a farmer and his wife in 1580. He only had a grammar school education, but with this education he was able to join the British volunteers fighting in the Dutch war of independence from Spain. While in the military, he was captured by the Turks and sold as a slave. He eventually escaped and came back to his mother land of Great Britain in 1605. He then became interested in settling Virginia in the new world. The following year, Smith sailed to Virginia with the Virginia Company’s first colonist as one of seven councilors. This was the first of many voyages to the new world for him. Smith spent much time exploring the land. By this time, the governor of Jamestown was executed for treason and Smith was then elected president of Jamestown colony. He then began building houses, churches, and fortifications. He also had a policy th...
The General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles by John Smith, portrays the enormous troubles the settlers were faced with by the Native Americans. He explains how he was captured by Indians and also saved by a young Native American girl, Pocahontas. He vividly describes the ceremonies and rituals of the Natives performed before his execution. However, the execution never occurred due to the tremendous mercy showed by the king’s daughter who blanketed John Smith’s body her own. Pocahontas went on to persuade the Native Americans to help the settlers by giving them food and other necessities. Despite her efforts to reach peaceful grounds, her people were still bitter and planned an attacks on the colony. Nevertheless, Pocahontas saved them once again by warning the settlers of attacks. Pocahontas went on to marry an Englishman and traveled to England. She resembled the prosperity and good that was to be found in an untamed land.
Sixteen years after premiering as Disney’s thirty-third animated film, Pocahontas still incites excitement and wonder within those who wish for nothing more than to be a Disney princess. As Disney’s most notable attempt at political correctness, Pocahontas was created to entertain while attempting to maintain authenticity in regards to historical accuracy and in its fairness of depicting Native American culture. Jacquelyn Kilpatrick, the author of “Disney’s ‘Politically Correct’ Pocahontas”, feels the movie not only failed at being historically accurate but that it fell far short of being politically correct. The article, which appeared in the Fall, 1995 issue of Cineaste, contends the Disney production was duty bound in preserving the integrity of the Pocahontas legend and being both multiculturally and socially inoffensive. However, if being politically correct and constantly factual within any version of media made for entertainment were the standard, we would be left with documentaries and non-fiction. Artistic license allows for a literal account of events to become an engaging, accessible production.
...n a bit of a glamorous image as Pocahontas has been depicted as a beautiful, free spirited, brave and independent girl. Pocahontas is known, primarily because she became the hero of Euro-Americans as the "good Indian", one who saved the life of a white man. Not only is the "good Indian/bad Indian theme" inevitably given new life by Disney, but the history, as recorded by the English themselves, is badly falsified in the name of entertainment. Bibliography http://cougar.ucdavis.edu/nas/varese/nas191/Marie/home.html http://mytwobeadsworth.com/NAreclaimhollyimage.html http://www.academon.com/lib/paper/5846.html http://www.indiancountry.com/article/2565 http://www.free-termpapers.com/tp/30/mlo89.shtml http://www.uwm.edu/Library/special/exhibits/clastext/clspg135.htm http://www.powhatan.org/pocc.html http://nativenet.uthscsa.edu/alison-thesis/relation.html
The Disney movies of Pocahontas tell a plot of a Native ¬American tribe and English colonists that fight for the land the Native Americans live on though war ultimately creating moderate peace. While keeping to their own sect, the imbalance of power between the two social groups is prevalent throughout much of the story. Walt Disney’s Pocahontas is more than a classic children’s movie. It is a thoughtful, well contrived narration that portrays a message that in order to fit in, you must be a certain race and born into a specific culture. Disney’s Pocahontas suggesting that the color of our skin shouldn’t matter when being accepted into social groups as well as the idea that arranged marriage should be rejected. Thus, treating people right could ultimately have a positive outcome and lastly, the film also suggests that family roles change without a mother figure.