Other Indian Captivity Narratives By Mary Rowlandson

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American Literature is seen as an outline of the narrations of multiple authors from different time periods establishing their stories based on historical changes and literary movements in America (“What is American Literature?”). Through such changes, American Literature acts as a means for depicting and creating new viewpoints for the American audience. Throughout the course of the semester, we have taken into account multiple books of American Literature from the Colonial and Romantic Period. However, they all seem to portray an overwhelming theme of bringing about new perspectives to the audience in order to enhance humanity and laws for mankind in the United States. The books brought about in American Literature exemplify a spark of social…show more content…
One specific narrative helps to enlighten the issue of feminine correctness and injustice in America during the seventeenth century and that was Mary Rowlandson’s account. Rowlandson was taken captive and during her captivity experienced violence, physical strains and challenges during long journeys and was unable to produce her predicted female roles such as protecting her own children and unable to choose who she was able to marry. During this time period, women were seen as minorities and didn’t have a big role in society therefore they were seen as targets for captivity, were stripped away from their femininity and culture, and forced to take on different roles. However, Mary Rowlandson’s account sparked a movement where women began to have a voice in society. Her story challenged the values of the societal belief of such male-dominance and superiority in society. Throughout her captivity she depicted women’s capabilities of skills and knowledge, proving equality between the two genders; Women can do whatever men can do. She does a tremendous job of showing the American audience during this time period the ability that women are able to survive without the help of men, although contrary to the common beliefs at the time. She proves women’s strength and ability to support themselves in treacherous conditions through their own…show more content…
He was very emblematic of the struggle for human rights and social justice which led him to write a pro-independence pamphlet in 1776 to ignite resentment in his audience by reflecting on the advantages of being disconnected to Britain (“Thomas Paine Essay”). He argued through “the influence of reason and principle” against autocratic rule by using examples of historical distrust with Britain and accentuating on the ability and power America would have without Britain (Paine 2). He helps the American audience realize that Britain has watched over us only to secure its own economic well-being and that we would be better off without them. He points out that America could have more allies and better commerce if we were to become independent (Paine 19, 21). He then illustrates to America that the American army can be more effective and efficient if we were to be disconnected from Britain when he says, “Britain is oppressed with a debt of upwards of one hundred and forty millions sterling, for which she pays upwards of four millions interest. And as a compensation for her debt, she has a large navy; America is without debt, and without a navy; yet for the twentieth part of the English national debt, could have a navy as large again” (Paine 35). Paine shows his American audience that “no country on the globe is so happily
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