In both the book "Captain John Smith" and the movie 'Pocohontas', the white settlers had preconceived notions that all Indians were inherently evil and that they were savages.
In the movie Pocohontas constant references to the "savages" such as Governor Ratcliffes helper, "What if we run into savages sir?" John Smith also says, "If they are anything like the savages I have fought before is isn't anything I can't handle." In "General Historie of Virginia and the Summer Isles Capt. Smith, on page 57, was led by and held fast by three great savages on each arm and six with arrows nocked. The book and movie also address that the Indians were evil and caucasians were on the side of good.
In the movie John Smith is ready to shoot Pocohontas before even finding out if she meant harm to him or his people. In "General Historie" it talks on page fifty-nine about the hellish things they did during the ritual dances. "Three more devils came rushing in with the like antique tricks painted half-black and half-red with white eyes." Both the movie and the book ended in the same way except for a few certain things. In both Pocohontas saves John Smith from beheading by her father. But in the movie, with classic Disney style, John Smith and Pocohontas fall in love and goto England, whereas in the book Pocohontas marries John Rolfe, a prominent figure in Virginian history, instead of John Smith. As in the movie and the book the Indians and white settlers made peace after John Smith was released.
The Virginian settlers had preconcieved notions of the Indians that damn near spelled disaster for John Smith and the rest of the villagers, for if confronted the Indians would have destroyed the villages and citizens contained within. But for the interaction of Pocohontas there would most assuredly have been a war. If the notions of people like Governor Ratcliffe who is qouted in saying, "Make sure these filthy heathens don't interrupt the mission," had continued Jamestown, nay Virginia might not now be the city or state it is today.
POCAHONTAS: The Life and the Legend This is a book written by Frances Mossiker about the life of the famous Native American Princess who is best known for keeping peace among the new English colonists and the Powhatan Nation; she is also credited with saving the life of John Smith. T...
