English 4371: Cultural Encounters

Householder, fall 2005

11/1/05: John Smith

1. Biography

Early Life.

2. Jamestown.

3. Theorist of colonization.

i. New England.

ii. A new model for colonization: commerce vs. conquest.

iii. Spokesman for the American Dream.

2. Critical considerations

1. Reliable eyewitness or self-promoting braggart?

2. Contradiction and incoherence

3. Multiple versions of his story

3. John Smith’s acquisition of economic literacy

1. Trade and diplomacy in the New World.

2. Smith’s expertise in dealing with the Americans

3. Smith’s expertise in leading the English

4. Mosco/Uttasantasough

Conclusion:

Paper topics:

[Harriot]

Jessica: Why the differences btw. White’s sketches and de Bry’s engravings?

Abbey: Is Harriot really an objective observer?

Liz: Is Harriot really an objective observer?

[Smith]

Catherine: Is John Smith an example of Pratt’s “contact zone”?

Robert: Why is John Smith’s writing so incoherent?

[The Tempest/postcolonial theory]

Grant: Is The Tempest colonial discourse?

Katie: Is The Tempest colonial discourse?

Candice: How useful is postcolonial theory in reading colonial discourse?

[Theories of representation/mediation]

Angie: How authentic are the Native voices recorded in European texts?

Joshua: What were English attitudes toward oral cultures?

Kara: How authentic are the Native voices recorded in European texts?

[Impact of cultural encounter on European thought]

Becky: When did racial view of Native Americans emerge?

April: Did Las Casas articulate essential human rights?

Jonathan: What is the function of cultural encounter in Montaigne?

Rebekah: Richard Eden

Brennan: Witchcraft

Mallory: Women

Next time: Read Smith selections. Recommended: Kupperman.