John Smith And Pocahontas: A Disney Romance :: essays research papers

It can be easily assumed that almost e realone has heard the tale of the American Indian princess, Pocahontas the narrative of a mysterious young girl who rescues an English explorer from death only to fall in love and win his affections in return. It is one that is quite popular and has even been developed into an animated flick by Walt Disney Pictures. Regardless of which version they may have heard, most tribe are familiar with the legend now thanks in calve to Disney. However, what they are not familiar with, are the facts. All too often, we ask what is presented in films as history with extinct any thought into the matter. Did Pocahontas and explorer fast one smith ever actually meet? If so, how did they, and was there ever the touch of love betwixt them? There are similarities, but more differences between historical fact and what is presented in the Walt Disney motion picture.Aside from obvious deviations of the film, such as the language , there are others includin g how Pocahontas and Smith meet, which they did in fact do. In the movie from the beginning, Pocahontas is an independent, curious woman who stumbles upon the English settlement. As a result, headmaster Smith notices her and assures her that he will do her no harm. The two straightaway warm to one another. While this makes a wonderful opening for a movie we view a great scene of the English operative hard to establish a settlement it is not how they met at all. In his book Pocahontas and Her World, Philip L. Barbour offers a more accurate account of the twos first meeting. He explains that John Smith was the one who was adventuring, not Pocahontas (as Disney depicts). He says that "on or about December 29, 1607" , Smith was led into the headlands hut as a "prisoner" by Indian braves. Inside, he witnessed chief Powhatan Pocahontas father lying in comfort, surrounded by women he thought to be the chiefs wives . According to Barbour, Smith was treated well and g iven food and drink. What happened next was more fire than a modern day film could depict, but also very complicated to explain in a film geared toward younger audiences. After some dicussion among the elders, "two big stones were brought in, and Smith was forcibly stretched out on them.