Captivity narratives

Definition

Captivity narratives are first-person accounts of individuals who have been captured and held against their will, often by Indigenous peoples during the early colonial period in America. These narratives serve not only as personal testimonies but also reflect the cultural tensions and conflicts of the time, often intertwining themes of faith, survival, and the struggle between civilization and wilderness. They are important in understanding the Puritan worldview and the societal attitudes towards Native Americans and frontiersmanship.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Many captivity narratives were written by women who were captured during conflicts between colonizers and Native Americans, providing a unique perspective on these experiences.
2. A famous example of a captivity narrative is Mary Rowlandson's 'The Sovereignty and Goodness of God,' which describes her experience being held captive by the Narragansett tribe.
3. Captivity narratives often included vivid descriptions of both the captors and the captive’s experiences, showcasing the author's emotional and psychological struggles during captivity.
4. These narratives played a role in shaping public perceptions of Native Americans, often portraying them as either noble savages or brutal enemies.
5. Captivity narratives were sometimes used to promote colonial expansion by depicting wilderness as a place needing civilization and showcasing the resilience of those who survived such harrowing experiences.

Review Questions

• How do captivity narratives reflect the cultural tensions between Puritan settlers and Indigenous peoples during the early colonial period?
  • Captivity narratives reveal deep cultural tensions as they recount the experiences of settlers taken by Indigenous peoples. These accounts often highlight fear and misunderstanding between cultures while also presenting Indigenous groups in a complex light. For Puritans, these stories served as cautionary tales about the dangers of life on the frontier, emphasizing their need for faith and community in contrast to what they viewed as a chaotic wilderness.
• Analyze the role of women in captivity narratives and how their perspectives contributed to our understanding of colonial experiences.
  • Women played a significant role in captivity narratives, as many were among those captured. Their perspectives are invaluable because they offer insights into gender roles, family dynamics, and survival strategies during this tumultuous time. By examining these narratives, we see how women navigated trauma, often becoming figures of resilience that challenged contemporary gender norms and highlighted their resourcefulness amidst adversity.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of captivity narratives on American literature and collective memory regarding Indigenous peoples.
  • The legacy of captivity narratives has profoundly influenced American literature by establishing early narrative forms that blend adventure with moral lessons. These stories have shaped collective memory by reinforcing stereotypes about Indigenous peoples while simultaneously complicating them through personal experiences. As a result, they contributed to a national narrative about wilderness and civilization that persists today, affecting how contemporary society views historical interactions between colonizers and Native Americans.

Related terms

Puritanism: A religious reform movement that emerged in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, characterized by a desire to 'purify' the Church of England from its Catholic practices.

Frontier Literature: A genre that explores life on the frontier, often highlighting the challenges of survival, the clash of cultures, and the theme of exploration.

Sermons: Religious speeches delivered in a Christian context, often emphasizing moral lessons and spiritual guidance, which were central to Puritan literature.