The Enduring Significance of Pocahontas

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Pocahontas

Pocahontas was the daughter of the American Indian Chief Powhatan. Pocahontas, a young Powhatan Indian princess, affected a remarkable and significant relationship first with a small group of English settlers at Jamestown and later with the English rulers of the New World. She worked to maintain good relations between the Indians and early English colonists in America.

Pocahontas emerged from a culture of dark superstitions. A culture of easy cruelty and primitive social accomplishments. Her father was a remarkable and powerful leader- fierce and clever. By the seventeenth century he had made his people not less primitive but certainly stronger and more formidable than they had ever been before. He added ruthless organization and totalitarian methods to their lives. He was ready to deal in his own confident and often cruel way with anyone who might challenge his authority.

It was into this world, into the household of Chief Powhatan and Powhatan culture, that Pocahontas was born, probably in 1596 or 1597. It is believed that Pocahontas birthplace was Werowocomoco, Powhatan's residence until 1609. Which of Powhatan many wives was Pocahontas mother is unknown. Pocahontas, like the other Powhatan's , had two names. Pocahontas given to her by her father means "Bright Stream Between Two Hills" but in Powhatan tongue might mean " Little Wanton." Her secret name, known only among her tribesmen was Matoax, "Little Snow Feather." Pocahontas had her public and her secret names. She had her place in the Powhatan tribe. She was a favorite daughter in her father's home. As a princess, she was as privileged within the Powhatan world as anyone besides her father could be.

Pocahontas performe...

... middle of paper ...

...on after she boarded, Pocahontas became very ill, probably pneumonia or perhaps tuberculosis. Pocahontas died at the age of twenty, far from home in a foreign land. Her body was prepared for burial, and on March 21 1616 buried at an ancient church standing near the waters edge. Her death at Gravesend marked the beginning of her immortality. Pocahontas has been made the heroine of numerous stories; plays and poems that have made her seem more a figure of legend than one of history. Yet it is her true story that took place many years ago, that gives her enduring significance.

Bibliography:

1.) Fritz, Jean. The Double Life of Pocahontas. 1983. Harrisonburg, VA. R.R. Donnelley and Sons Company.

2.) Woodward, Grace Steele. Pocahontas. 1969. Norman, OK. Univ. of Oklahoma Press.

3.) The World Book Encyclopedia. 1998. #15. World Book Inc.

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