So I need a theme for "The General History of Virginia" which was by John Smith. It cannot be a cliche nor those man vs. Nature and the other "Man Vs." things. I need a theme for The stories Balboa, (the spanish conquistador), Of Plymouth Plantation, and Of course, The General History of Virginia. Please halp
Answers
"The General History of Virginia" and "Of Plymouth Plantation"
The first settlers of America all came for different reasons, had separate goals, and different ways of life. Although they were all different they all risked their lives for a new life in a new world. John Smith and William Bradford were two completely different types of people. John Smith was an adventurer which one can easily see from his writing, like in "The General History of Virginia". William Bradford was a pious Puritan, which is brought out in his writing in "Of Plymouth Plantation". Their differences and similarities on their views on Indians, tone and style are personified through these two works of writing. John Smith and William Bradford have strong personalities that live through their writing. The two men are very different from each other, but still share some similarities.
Both John Smith and William Bradford encountered Indians in their explorations of the new world. They handled these encounters very differently. John Smith saw the Indians as "savages" and "barbarians". He describes them in a condescending way. John Smith and his comrades have a somewhat hostile relationship with the Indians. For most of the story the Indians are fighting and attacking the settlers. This includes taking John Smith as captive, then acting as if they are going to "beat out his brains". William Bradford and his Puritan companions had a very different encounter with the native people. He respected the Indians as people, and did not see them as below himself. The relationship itself was peaceful and kind. The two groups "enjoyed friendly entertainment" and "gifs were given" to each other. William Bradford also writes about a treaty between the two groups and making "peace with [the chief]" of the tribe. He also writes of what a help Squanto was to their settlement,..........
Themes in The General History of Virginia
THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-RELIANCE
EXAMPLE
THE EXCITEMENT OF EXPLORATION
The settlers embarked on a journey to a world where they would have no contact with home. It was essential that they be able to build their own settlement, draw on resources from the land, make friends with the Native Americans if possible, and begin a long-term investment in this new future. The people who went needed to be prepared to do all of this without much help from home.
For Smith, the trip is a combination of virtù, prosperity, and piety. Virtù is an expectancy of the achievement of great things. Going to Jamestown was stepping into an unknown world. It was full of mystery, excitement, and danger. The exploration of this new place could yield great riches, an opportunity many would jump at. The new world was an opportunity to bring Christianity to new peoples and places.
THE NECESSITY OF HARD WORK
Those who do not work will not eat!
MAN VS. NATURE
In spite of the many hardships the settlers faced, Smith did not have a lot of patience for those who could not pull their own weight. When he was finally put in charge, he ensured that the settlers had plenty of incentive to work hard by telling them that those who did not work would not eat. Smith and other leaders of the settlement knew that in the harsh conditions, everyone would have to work hard so that they all could survive.
The elements wore on the settlers, from the first time they were unable to produce a viable crop, to the bitter cold of the first winter. Then, the settlers were plagued by illness and disease, and unable to work or contribute. All of this was made worse by periodic attacks by the Native Americans, who knew the landscape better. The human will to survive in such circumstances is one that Smith highlights and celebrates throughout his narrative.