As you read, you get a sense of his personality. Was he as kind and gentle as in the movie? Most likely he was not. He seemed to be more into the adventure for himself, and not for the company. He did things on his own, leaving all his men behind him. Ordering.
them to stay there while he explored. "He left her in a broad bay out of danger of shot, commanding none should go ashore until he returns." (pg 108) He seemed careless in his actions as a captain. His wild and unpredictable behavior is what gets him into trouble. He is then captured by the Native Americans. He most likely would not have been captured had he stayed with the rest of the crew. He seems more selfish this way. I see him as going his own way, and doing his own thing and taking claim for discovering the New World. Him being the only one who is exploring it, he can take all the credit for it.
Compared to the movie, Smith capturing the Native Americans never happened. "Still defending himself with the aid of a savage his guide, whom he bound to his arm with his garters, and used him as a buckler." (pg. 109) In the movie he tried to befriend them. He spent a great amount of time with one in particular. Learning the ways of the Native Americans. But honestly, is that the way it happened? According to the reading, Smith only created the story after his immortality eluded him. (pg.104) He, on the other hand captured two savages, and then himself was captured. He seemed to have exaggerated his amount of time he spent prisoner.
"Six or seven weeks those barbarians kept him prisoner., many strange triumphs and conjurations they made of him, yet he so demeaned himself amongst them, as he not diverted them from surprising the fort, but he procured his own liberty, and got himself and his company such estimation amongst them, that those savages admired him more then their own Quiyoughkasoucks." (pg 109).
His propensity for hyperbole follows him through his capture by the Native Americans.
