Mary Rowlandson's Narrative

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses Mary Rowlandson's short book, "The Narrative of the Captivity and the Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson". The writer discusses that in addition to serving as a religious confessional that allows readers to understand the cultural gap between the Native-Americans and the English, Rowlandson includes many details that can classify her work as a visceral thriller, details that continue to expand on the theme of differences, or a gap, between the two cultures. The writer concludes that by using both these themes, Rowlandson suggests the monumental cultural gap between Native-Americans and the English.

From the Paper:

"First-time readers of this narrative are easily swayed by Rowlandson's biased perspective, and the images she described are truly dreadful and thrilling. Because the Native Americans and English were at war, however, a logical assumption is that the English are performing similar atrocities, only with guns and cannons instead of hatchets and knives. In fact, Rowlandson chooses to dwell on the weapons of the natives, writing that they have "spears" and "hatchets," in addition to guns, and insisting that "their glittering weapons" made her desire to stay alive. Thus, through Rowlandson's "visceral thriller" portion of her narrative, the author uses a physical symbol of the difference between the English and Native American weapons in order enforce the cultural gap that existed between the two nations."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Pierce, Harvey. "The Significance of the Captivity Narrative." American Literature. 19.1 (1947): 1-20.
• Rowlandson, Mary. A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson. Baym, Nina. Norton Anthology of American Literature. Shorter Ed. Urbana-Champaign: University of Illinois, 2003.
• "Native Voices" 2008. American Passages: A Literary Survey. 20 June 2008. <http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit01/usingvideo.html>.

More papers on Mary Rowlandson's Narrative:

• Analytical Essay # 4789 : "Analysis of the "Captivity Narrative" by Mary Rowlandson"
• Analytical Essay # 31980 : "Mary Rowlandson's Captivity"
• Book Review # 110850 : "Mary Rowlandson"

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