One example of this can be found in Drake's Circumnavigation of the Globe, in which he describes his first encounter with the Natives. The Elizabethans need to immediately to impose their beliefs on to these people because they are different from themselves. They "liberally bestowed on them necessary things to cover their nakedness, whereupon they supposed us to be gods, and would not be persuaded to the contrary" (932). First of all, I think it was wrong for the Elizabethans to make these people feel ashamed for being naked, if this all that these people know, then that is their normal. In the Bible, Adam and Eve did not know that being naked was shameful until they ate from the forbidden tree. But because it made the Elizabethans uncomfortable, they had to address it and change the Native's ways. As far as the second part of that quote, I would think that Elizabethans may have been pleased if the Natives thought of them as gods. They sure seemed to think highly of themselves, perhaps deservingly so.
Yes, it may be true that the Natives did not have access to the technology and advances that the Elizabethans had but I think that the people at this time made remarkable advances with the tools they did have. Native Americans often were a head of the game when it came to hunting and finding to ways to live off the land because that the their only option. The coming together of two cultures and races is a difficult especially when one culture or race already feels so though they are the superior.
While examining the end of another account, Amadas and Barlowe's Voyage to Virginia, it points out the success that the Natives had in hunting and maintaining a life without the technology that they possess. He wrote, "we found the people most gentle, loving, and faithful, void of guile and treason [...]" This account recognized the strengths the Natives had including their ability to survive during the winter and feed themselves. It just goes to show that just because someone is different from you, you should not count them out.
2 comments:
This is a very good observation. I agree with you that just because someone has a different lifestyle than you doesn't mean another one is wrong and should therefore be looked down upon. This is an example of how and why assimilation begun. On the other hand, although I understand that the Elizabethans may have been harsh to the natives, they also do not know any other way of life so that is a main reason as to why they felt uncomfortable and therefore acting in a harsh manner towards them. I feel like natives, in many cases and situations, always seem to get taken advantage of.
I really enjoyed your post Kate! The title definitely brought me to your blog to read this weeks rumination. I have always found it interesting that when a group such as the Elizabethans in this case encounter the natives that they are so eager to change them, rather than learn from them and about them. Possibly out of fear? I'm not sure.
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