Answer one of the following questions thoroughly, using and citing textual evidence to support your answer. These questions are paired with Norton Anthology of American Literature; American Literature Beginnings to 1820.
After reading both of Columbus's letters, contrast his tone and content in each. How do his tone and purpose change? How does our perception of Columbus change from the first to the second letter?
How is Smith presented in the Third and Fourth Books? As a strong leader, a skillful negotiator, an extraordinarily lucky person, a bit of a mess, a murderous tyrant, a combination of the above? Something else entirely? Be sure to use examples (i.e. quotes) from both books to support your claim.
Compare and contrast the experiences of Bradford and Smith, both in terms of what happened and how they present these experiences in their writing. How does each author present the natives? How did you respond differently to each author? Use quotes from the text to support your claims.
Discuss the way(s) in which "The Prologue," and "The Author to her Book" reflect Bradstreet's attitude toward the role(s) of women in the mid-seventeenth century. Be sure to use quotes from the poems to support your claims. Feel free to include other poems as well.
How does Mary Rowlandson use her experience to reaffirm Puritan beliefs? How does she view herself and her fellow Christians? How does she see the natives? What do her descriptions of the natives accomplish? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.