Question

9. Explain the HIPP of the primary sources below. Source: Letter written by John Rolfe on his decision to marry Pocahontas, in a letter to Sir Thomas Dale, governor of Virginia, 1614, Smithsonian Let therefore this my well advised protestation . . . condemn me herein, if my chiefest intent and purpose be not, to strive with all my power of body and mind, in the undertaking of so mighty a matter, no way led (so far forth as man’s weakness may permit) with the unbridled desire of carnal affection: but for the good of this plantation, for the honour of our country, for the glory of God, for my own salvation, and for the converting to the true knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, an unbelieving creature, namely Pokahuntas. . . . Shall I be of so untoward a disposition, as to refuse to lead the blind into the right way? Shall I be so unnatural, as not to give bread to the hungry? or uncharitable, as not to cover the naked? Shall I despise to actuate these pious duties of a Christian? Shall the base fears of displeasing the world, overpower and withhold me from revealing unto man these spiritual works of the Lord, which in my meditations and prayers, I have daily made known unto him? God forbid. . . . Now if the vulgar sort, who square all men’s actions by the base rule of their own filthiness, shall tax or taunt me in this my godly labour: let them know, it is not any hungry appetite, to gorge my self with incontinency; sure (if I would, and were so sensually inclined) I might satisfy such desire, though not without a seared conscience, yet with Christians more pleasing to the eye, and less fearful in the offence unlawfully committed.

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

H - Historical context: This letter was written by John Rolfe during the beginning of the English colonial period in North America. John Rolfe was established in a colony in Virginia, he was an English explorer and tried to produce agricultural products for the British crown in American territory in 1614. During this period, conflicts between Native Americans and European explorers were common. Europeans saw the natives as impure and impious beings, who should be converted to Christianity in order to achieve salvation. they believed that this was their duty and the responsibility that God had placed in their hands. In the letter we can see that John assumes this thought, since he justifies that he wants to marry Pocahontas not out of love or sexual desire, but to save her from iniquity through Christianity, in addition to making her a civilized person, which would be a favor for she. This source is important because it reflects a lot on the explorers' thinking about Indians, as well as showing how the will of the Indians was ignored and suppressed.

I- Intended audience: the letter was written to be read by Sir Thomas Dale, governor of Virginia. John wanted to justify his actions in order to maintain his reputation and so that no one saw him as a savage who could not control himself, or as someone who had succumbed to the natives.

P - Purpose: The purpose is to find the governor's approval and get the governor to talk about him as a man committed to the gospel and the advancement of the colony, shaping all his plans to achieve these principles.

P - Point of view: The letter is written with a first person point of view, which may indicate that John was not sincere in his justifications (first person narrators are not to be trusted). He was a man of power and influence and was in favor of colonialism and European exploitation in America.