Question

Smith includes the now legendary tale of his "rescue" by pocahontas during captivity, which subsequent historians and scholars have cast into doubt. what purpose do you believe this story served for smith and his audience(s)?

Answer 1

It is difficult to know whether the account of Smith’s rescue, now of legendary proportions, did indeed occur. Whether the story is true or not, however, there are several reasons that would encourage the story to be widely promoted:  

1. It puts Pocahontas in a good light, as being the rescuer of an Englishman. Because of the close relationship between Smith and Pocahontas, and due to her huge popularity in England, this would be a plausible assumption. Additionally, it highlights the closeness between Smith and Pocahontas.

2. It could serve a dramatic objective; a way to make his story more interesting by showing how his life was in danger and how lucky his escape was.

3. It is a story that highlights the “savagery” of the Indigenous population. This was a common assumption at the time and it was used to justify colonization.