🪶American Literature – Before 1860 Unit 3 – Colonial Captivity Tales and Verse

Historical Context

• Colonial Captivity Tales and Verse emerged during the 17th and 18th centuries in North America
• Reflects the experiences of European settlers, particularly Puritan colonists, who were captured by Native American tribes during conflicts and raids
• Narratives often based on real-life accounts of captivity, such as Mary Rowlandson's "The Sovereignty and Goodness of God" (1682)
• Shaped by the religious and cultural beliefs of the time, emphasizing themes of faith, redemption, and divine providence
• Influenced by the ongoing tensions and conflicts between European settlers and Native American tribes, including King Philip's War (1675-1678)
• Served as a form of propaganda, reinforcing negative stereotypes of Native Americans as "savages" and justifying colonial expansion
• Contributed to the development of a distinct American literary tradition, separate from European literature

Key Themes and Motifs

• Spiritual trials and redemption, with captivity seen as a test of faith and an opportunity for spiritual growth
• Divine providence and the belief that God's will ultimately prevails, even in the face of adversity
• The "captivity narrative" as a symbolic journey, representing the struggle between "civilization" and "wilderness"
• The portrayal of Native Americans as both captors and potential converts to Christianity
• The role of women in colonial society, as many captivity narratives were written by or about female captives
• The importance of family and community in the face of hardship and separation
• The contrast between the "savage" wilderness and the "civilized" colonial settlements
• The resilience and resourcefulness of the human spirit in overcoming adversity

Notable Authors and Works

• Mary Rowlandson, "The Sovereignty and Goodness of God" (1682)
  • Considered the first American "bestseller" and a defining work of the captivity narrative genre
• Cotton Mather, "Decennium Luctuosum" (1699)
  • A historical account of conflicts between colonists and Native Americans, including captivity narratives
• John Williams, "The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion" (1707)
  • An account of Williams' capture and eventual release during the Deerfield Raid of 1704
• Elizabeth Hanson, "God's Mercy Surmounting Man's Cruelty" (1728)
  • A narrative of Hanson's capture by Wabanaki Indians and her eventual return to colonial society
• Hannah Duston, whose story was recorded by Cotton Mather in "Magnalia Christi Americana" (1702)
  • A famous account of a woman who escaped captivity and scalped her captors

Literary Techniques and Styles

• First-person narration, creating a sense of immediacy and authenticity
• Use of religious language and biblical allusions to emphasize themes of faith and divine intervention
• Vivid descriptions of the hardships and violence experienced during captivity, evoking sympathy from readers
• Portrayal of Native Americans as both cruel captors and potential converts, reflecting colonial attitudes
• Inclusion of dialogues and speeches, often used to convey religious or moral messages
• Use of foreshadowing and suspense to maintain reader interest
• Incorporation of elements from other popular genres, such as the spiritual autobiography and the adventure narrative

Cultural Impact and Reception

• Captivity narratives were immensely popular in colonial America, appealing to readers' fascination with adventure, exoticism, and religious themes
• Helped to shape public opinion and justify colonial policies towards Native Americans
• Contributed to the development of uniquely American literary forms and themes
• Influenced later works of American literature, such as James Fenimore Cooper's "Leatherstocking Tales" and Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter"
• Provided insight into the experiences and perspectives of colonial women, who were often marginalized in other literary forms
• Served as a form of propaganda, reinforcing the idea of colonial superiority and the need for "civilizing" Native Americans
• Helped to establish the captivity narrative as a distinct genre, which would continue to evolve and influence American literature

Comparison with Other Genres

• Shares similarities with spiritual autobiographies, which also emphasized themes of faith and divine providence
• Incorporates elements of adventure narratives, with dramatic accounts of capture, escape, and survival
• Differs from historical narratives in its focus on personal experience and religious themes
• Contrasts with the idealized portrayal of Native Americans in later works of the "Noble Savage" tradition
• Serves as a precursor to the frontier romance novel, which would become popular in the 19th century
• Reflects the influence of Puritan sermon literature, with its emphasis on moral lessons and religious instruction

Critical Analysis and Interpretations

• Can be seen as a reflection of colonial anxieties and the psychological impact of the frontier experience
• Offers insight into the complex relationships between colonists and Native Americans, characterized by both conflict and cultural exchange
• Raises questions about the reliability of the narrators and the accuracy of their accounts, given the political and religious agendas of the time
• Highlights the role of gender in colonial society, with female captives often portrayed as embodying the virtues of faith and resilience
• Reveals the contradictions and ambiguities in colonial attitudes towards Native Americans, who were simultaneously demonized and admired
• Provides a window into the religious and cultural worldview of Puritan New England, with its emphasis on divine providence and spiritual trial
• Invites comparative analysis with captivity narratives from other cultural contexts, such as those produced by Native Americans or African American slaves

Legacy and Influence

• Helped to establish the captivity narrative as a distinct literary genre, which would continue to evolve and influence American literature
• Contributed to the development of uniquely American literary themes and forms, such as the frontier romance and the Western
• Influenced later works of American literature, such as James Fenimore Cooper's "Leatherstocking Tales" and Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter"
• Provided a foundation for the study of early American literature and the cultural history of the colonial period
• Offers insight into the complex relationships between colonists and Native Americans, and the impact of these relationships on American culture and identity
• Raises important questions about the nature of cultural contact, religious faith, and the human experience in the face of adversity
• Continues to be studied and analyzed by scholars of American literature, history, and cultural studies, offering new perspectives on the colonial period and its legacy