Impressions of Depictions and their Relationship to One Another

As we have discussed in class, this form of contemporary literature found instant success among the literati of its time. Narrations like Mary Rowlandson’s, were perhaps among the first illustrations of the collective American struggle, and this depiction of struggle was well supported by both a visible oppressor and sufferer; Or, to a certain extent, an intention to depict a clear, and unambiguous protagonist and antagonist with an eventual goal of demonstrating evidence that proves Puritan and American society (and all that it stands for) can in fact prevail. Furthermore, the two were neither biblical nor metaphorical depictions for their respective sides in this effort. Attributable to these dynamics in the story, it’s easy to identify with the rationale of our ancestors, and to hypothesize what aspects made these Native American captive stories so enthralling and successful.

This “fundamental fiction,” as it was referred to during class discussion on Thursday, is presented with equally fundamental literary devices -- each of which dealing with the proper narrative experience, and how this narrative experience/transformation/perseveration can underline the current human experience it stands for and relates to. In Mary’s narration, we have many subtle but active ingredients at work, within the fiber of her experience.

It is important to note that the two forces that collide in this narration are, at least superficially, viewed to be direct opposites of each other in what they stand for. Mary, the Puritan, wealthy housewife is a beacon of truth and complete innocence. She is completely vulnerable to her Native American counterparts who at this time demonstrate the most potent, human threat to everything that Puritan society stands for. But as we have mentioned in class discussion, opposition is an extremely necessary evil in establishing Puritan allegiance; opposition is important and resistance is vital. Keeping this incentive in mind, here we have a narration that is in fact fueled by oppression, ultimately comprising a story that preaches endurance and preservation in the company of the most unflinching of illustrations. It is this visible depiction that exists in the first hand narration, that made this account, and what it stands for, so well received.

However, there are certainly holes in these intended depictions of undeniable good and bad. As we mentioned in class, we have several shades of gray in this proposed black and white picture. Between Mary’s eating of raw bear meat or smoking tobacco and the noticeably humanitarian moments of her “oppressors” savagery and humanism remains unbiased to either party every so often. Nevertheless, I argue that it isn’t necessarily what’s on paper or what these two parties may be in actuality that concerned Puritan ideals, what seemed more captivating (ha puns…) is what the two were anticipated to encompass and also, what had the most lasting effect.