Student Question
What attitudes and values does Bradford express in his book?
Quick answer:
William Bradford's attitudes in his book include a strong belief in divine providence and a reliance on Christianity, as he frequently attributes events to the "will of God." He also expresses a racist and ignorant perspective towards Native Americans, referring to them as "savage barbarians" and fearing them. Bradford's narrative suggests a moralistic view, as seen when he interprets a crew member's death as divine retribution for his profanity and ill wishes towards others.
In Book I Chapter 9 of History of Plymouth Plantation, William Bradford details the Mayflower's journey to Cape Cod. In the chapter, he describes one "proud & very profane yonge man" who curses excessively and complains the entire time about the sick people on the boat, wishing to throw them all overboard. However in a twist of fate the man contracts a disease that quickly kills him. Ironically, he is the first to be thrown overboard as a smite from God because of his brash attitude. Bradford believes that "his curses light on his owne head."
Once they have arrived in Cape Cod, the pilgrims fear the wildlife and the people of the land. Bradford refers to the local people as "savage barbarians" who would rather "fill their sid[e]s full of arrows" than to greet them with shelter and food. Chapter 9 is a great example of Bradford's attitudes toward the native people of America: he is racist and assumes the worst of them. There is also a theme of religion that is highlighted by this chapter. Throughout the voyage, Bradford regularly refers to the "will of God" as the only deciding factor on the voyage's success, and on whether the pilgrims would live or die.
As with the rest of the text, Book I Chapter 9 outlines Bradford's value in Christianity; leaving everything up to the "will of God" and his racist and ignorant attitude toward the people native to Cape Cod.
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