ENGL 201
Essay 1 Thesis and Outline
Thesis: In the early seventeenth century unrest over political and religious freedoms started to
arise in Europe. Many Europeans sought out the “new world” as a destination where these
freedoms could become a reality. John Smith, William Bradford, and John Winthrop as some of
these notable Europeans who sought out the new world. Not only were these men vital to the
colonization of the new world, but they were also author’s and historian’s with different literary
qualities.
Introduction: To fully grasp the impact of literature from the Colonial period it is
important to examine the differences and similarities between these authors. All three of
these men had different experiences here in the new world. From the establishments of
their colonies to their interactions with the Native Americans their literary works paint a
picture of their personal journeys in the new world.
John Smith
oSettled in Virginia
oGoal was to establish new colonies.
Wrote as a promoter, advertiser.
He romanticized the establishment of the Jamestown Settlement to
convince others to colonize from Europe.
“Smith’s heroic adventures and the rosy pictures painted in
promotional tracts and travel narratives bore little relation to
actualities in the Jamestown Colonies.” (2019, Belasco, S &
Johnson, L)
Wrote as an explorer and adventurer.
Kept a journal with entries detailing the establishment of the
Jamestown Settlement and hardships faced by the colonists.
Thought to over embellish, exaggerate, or lie about some events.
Not credible.
Story of Pocahontas may be “one of the most enduring myths of
early America” (2019, Belasco, S & Johnson, L)
oSoldier, explorer, adventurer, politician having served as governor.
oNot well liked amongst his constituents.
William Bradford
oSettled in New England
oDeeply religious man in search of religious freedom that they could not acquire
under King James I.
Separatist, to immigrated to the new world on the Mayflower.
oHe was a historian and politician having served as governor.
oWell liked by the colony in Plymouth and held good relations with the Native
Americans.
References
Belasco, S and Johnson, L. (2014). “The Bedford Anthology of American Literature: Vol. one
Beginnings to 1865” Bedford/ St. Martin’s, MacMillian Learning.
oCredible author.
Documentation to proves events were real and wrote about events as they
took place without embellishment.
oAuthored Of Plimoth Plantation.
Worked on for twenty years beginning in 1630.
Sat as a manuscript for 200 years and was eventually published as a whole
in 1856.
John Winthrop
oSettled in Massachusetts, as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
oWell educated, wealthy, served as governor.
oPuritan who desired religious freedom.
oAlso desired to establish an economically successful trading colony.
oWrote about his religious beliefs
“A Modell of Christian Charity”
oBegan a journal to record the detailed history of his colony.
“The History of New England from 1630-1649”
