Captivity narratives

Definition

Captivity narratives are accounts written by individuals who were captured and held hostage, often by Indigenous peoples, during the colonial period in North America. These narratives typically recount the author's experiences of captivity, highlighting themes of survival, cultural conflict, and the struggle for identity, often reflecting the perspectives and biases of the colonizers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Captivity narratives became popular in the 17th and 18th centuries as both entertainment and cautionary tales, often depicting the supposed savagery of Indigenous peoples contrasted with European civilization.
2. Many captivity narratives were published to promote colonial interests and justify the expansion of European settlements by portraying Indigenous peoples as threats to settlers' safety.
3. Key figures like Mary Rowlandson authored influential captivity narratives, providing detailed accounts of her time spent with Native Americans and influencing public perception of Indigenous cultures.
4. These narratives often included religious overtones, with authors interpreting their experiences through a lens of providentialism, believing their survival was a sign of divine favor.
5. The captivity narrative genre contributed to the formation of American identity by reinforcing cultural stereotypes and shaping perceptions of the 'other' in colonial society.

Review Questions

• How did captivity narratives reflect the cultural attitudes and fears of colonizers during the colonial period?
  • Captivity narratives served as a mirror to the fears and cultural attitudes of colonizers, often depicting Indigenous peoples as hostile and dangerous. These narratives highlighted themes of savagery versus civilization, emphasizing the dangers faced by settlers on the frontier. By recounting personal experiences, authors reinforced stereotypes about Indigenous cultures while simultaneously showcasing their own cultural values, thereby shaping public perception and justifying colonial expansion.
• Discuss the role that Mary Rowlandson's captivity narrative played in shaping perceptions of Indigenous peoples in colonial America.
  • Mary Rowlandson's captivity narrative is one of the most famous examples from this genre, offering insight into both her personal ordeal and broader societal views. Her account provided a detailed description of her interactions with Native Americans, which influenced readers' perceptions by portraying them through a lens of fear and misunderstanding. Rowlandson's narrative underscored the tension between cultures, helping to cement negative stereotypes while also appealing to religious sentiments among her audience, thus reinforcing Puritanical beliefs about survival and providence.
• Evaluate how captivity narratives contributed to American identity formation and cultural narratives regarding Indigenous peoples.
  • Captivity narratives played a significant role in shaping early American identity by reinforcing a dichotomy between settlers and Indigenous peoples. They established foundational myths about bravery, survival, and cultural superiority that permeated American literature and society. The stories crafted a narrative that justified colonial expansion by framing Indigenous resistance as barbarism. This not only affected perceptions of Native cultures but also helped form a collective American identity rooted in conflict, survival, and moral righteousness, leaving lasting impacts on cultural discourse surrounding race and ethnicity.

Related terms

Frontier Thesis: A historical argument posited by Frederick Jackson Turner that suggests the American character was shaped by the experience of westward expansion and frontier life.

Puritanism: A religious reform movement that arose in the late 16th century, emphasizing simplicity in worship and strict moral codes, significantly influencing early American literature and culture.

Cultural Assimilation: The process by which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the customs and attitudes of another culture, often resulting in the loss of their original cultural identity.