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1
Historical Narrativestaken from The United
States in Literature
2

Nonfiction prose accounts about real people,
places, and events.

The historical narratives in this unit were
written by the explorers, adventurers, and
settlers who came to America at its beginning.
They often kept diaries or journals to record
their encounters and struggles in a wilderness
that was frightening, spectacular, mystifying,
and formidable.

They later shared their accounts with European
audiences.

As you read, you will glimpse the way America was
seen by these early Americans who cleared the
path for future Americans.

6
When reading a historical narrative

Determine the purpose of each work- is it to
persuade, to entertain, to explain, or merely to
describe? Word choice is likewise colored by the
authors purpose.

7
When reading a historical narrative

Consult the biographies to determine the
backgrounds of the writers- youll better
understand vantage points, motives, and cultural
orientations.

8
When reading a historical narrative

Try to distinguish fact from opinion- each writer
brings certain beliefs and preconceptions to his
or her work. Think about the culture clash that
must take place.

9
When reading a historical narrative

Understand these narratives lay the groundwork
for later American Literature- historical
narratives contain elements of conflict,
surprise, suspense, climax, and resolution that
we see in later fiction.

10
When reading a historical narrative

Look for parallels to modern life- recognize that
the writers of these historical narratives were
flesh-and-blood people who provide insight into
our lives. Granted, these pieces are from a far
removed era, they, too, had hopes and defeats,
dreams and despair, just like us.

11
A Spectacle of Great BeautyBy Christopher
Columbus

Objectives
Visualizing the New Land as Columbus saw it
Appreciating the contrast between Columbuss
culture and motives and those of the island
natives
Understanding the time and events of history as
background to writing (Comment, p. 12)
To distinguish fact from opinion

12
The importance of this study

This marks the beginning of the written record of
American adventure.
With this letter, Columbus introduced the New
World to a European civilization and set the tone
and point of view with which it would be
perceived.

13
Insights

Columbus had a crew of ninety sailors when he set
sail with one large ship and two caravels (small,
fast sailing ships with broad bows and high
sterns). Among them was an Arabic speaking Jewish
merchant hired to assist Columbus in
communicating with the inhabitants of the Indies.
The original log of the Spanish flotilla of Santa
Maria, Nina, and Pinta has not been seen since
Columbus sent it to Queen Isabella. All that is
left is a paraphrase of the original log done by
a priest-historian, Bartolome de Las Casas.

By 1513 every Lucayan (an aboriginal Arawakan
tribe of the Bahamas) had died from enslavement
and disease.
Columbus wrote his log in Spanish, though he was
familiar with both Spanish and Latin. It is
unlikely that he understood the cry of the
Indians. That quote from the text is conjecture
on the part of Las Casas.
He was surprised at the large heads and foreheads
of the Indians (caused by the Lucayan custom of
head binding).
Columbus was lost 26 degrees latitude is
Jacksonville, Florida. He actually landed at
present-day Samana Cay located at 23 degrees
latitude, now an uninhabited area of the Bahamas.

15
Journal

Imagine you are discovering a rich new world,
perhaps in space, totally unlike anything
twenty-first century humans have experienced. In
what way and with what attitude would you choose
to communicate your impressions to people at
home? How would you communicate with indigenous
creatures? What would your attitude be and how
would your known world color it?

16
from The Narrative of His JourneyBy Alvar
Nunez Cabeza de Vaca

Objectives
Discussing the purpose of narratives
Noting the hardships endured by early explorers
Assessing the qualities that enabled de Vaca to
survive his ordeals
Assessing the lives and character of the
inhabitants of the New World
Comparing cultures (Comment, p. 26)

17
The importance of this study

These narratives lay the groundwork for later
American literature.

18
Insights

One of the members of Cabeza de Vacas party
traveling to Mexico City was a bearded black man
named Esteban who was born in North Africa. He
played the role of advance man for the Children
of the Sun, as de Vacas group came to be known
to the Indians. Esteban quickly learned the
proper Indian words to shout out the news of the
coming of the magical healers who would bring
luck to the tribe.
Cabeza de Vaca and Panfelo de Narvaez were the
first European and the first African to explore
the American Southwest. They heard and spread
reports of golden treasure in the Seven Cities
of Cibola.
Cabeza de Vaca uses conflict and suspense in his
writing.
Adversity binds the men together as each is
concerned for himself and for his comrades.

19
Journal

Imagine that you are an explorer and are looking
for the first time on a land with thousands of
acres of forests, unknown wild animals, and alien
types of people. What do you feel most? Fear?
Awe? Anticipation?
What is the first thing you do? Explore? Make a
safe shelter? Give thanks for your safe arrival
across the ocean?
What is the worst problem with which you must
cope? Coldness? Starvation? The threat of attack?
Loneliness?
In your life, have you ever been in a situation
in which you were lost and lacked equipment for
survival? Describe the experience.

20
from Making Peace with the Illinois IndiansBy
Robert de La Salle

Objectives
Study backgrounds and motivations of writers
Recognize leadership abilities of La Salle
Identify the physical and mental hardships of
explorers
Appreciate customs and culture of the Illinois
Indians

21
The importance of this study

To compare the routes through the Caribbean, Gulf
of Mexico, and North American continent that
Columbus, Cabeza de Vaca, and de La Salle
journeyed.

22
Insights

La Salles adventures in North America began in
1666 in Canada, where he became a trader on the
Saint Lawrence River.
He became familiar with Indian customs and
languages while exploring the region south of
Lakes Ontario and Erie
He impressed both the French colonial governor
and French royalty with his capabilities and,
over the period 17674-1680, spearheaded efforts
that resulted in the building of forts in Canada,
at the mouth of the Saint Joseph River, and along
the Illinois River.
He also opened explorations of new regions west
and then south along the Mississippi River to the
Gulf of Mexico.

In 1683, La Salle attempted to establish a colony
at the mouth of the Mississippi River with a
fleet of four ships.
He missed and landed at what is now Matagorda
Bay, Texas.
He attempted to find the river through several
land searches, but never did.
La Salle was a complicated and difficult man.
Several of his close friends wrote of him that
they felt certain he was touched in the head
because of his relentless drive to find a way to
the Orient through the North American continent.
In the pursuit of his dream, he was arrogant to
his subordinates, trusted no one but himself, and
listened to no advice.
As a result, he was killed by his own men, but
not before carving a place in history for
himself.

This excerpt was not directly written by de La
Salle but believed to be adapted from his
letters.

25
Journal

What makes a good leader in your opinion? Does
the boss always have to be a good guy/gal?
List five qualities a good leader must possess in
order to obtain set goals. Be specific.
Have you ever been in a leadership position? How
did your subordinates feel about you? Were you a
tough leader or nice and diplomatic? Did you
succeed at the task at hand?

26
American Indian Poetry

The function of poetry in Indian society is to
celebrate, praise, explain, mourn, communicate,
and remember.

27
Navajo Sandpaintingtaken from Navajo
Sandpainting, The Art of Healing
28
The Navajo art of Sandpainting began as a
spiritual healing system rather than art for
art's sake. Traditional Diné healing incorporates
ritualism, prayer, ceremonies, and herbology to
increase wellness and promote harmony with the
universe. Sandpaintings are part of religious
chants in which "Earth People and Holy People
come into harmony, giving healing and protection."

The Holy People (gods) instructed the Diné
(Navajo) in the ceremonies and uses for certain
chants, along with the creation of intricate
paintings made of various materials. Known as
Sandpaintings, these renderings are temporary.
Created on a smoothed bed of sand, the Navajo use
crushed gypsum (white), yellow ochre, red
sandstone, charcoal, and a mixture of charcoal
and gypsum (blue). In addition, the sandpainters
use pollen, cornmeal, and crushed flower petals
to achieve a great variety of colors, according
to the instructions of the gods.

29
Navajo Weaving

As the Navajo peoples moved into the Southwest,
they learned farming techniques from the Puebloan
peoples. Soon, they settled down from a
hunting-gathering society to an agricultural,
ranching, and ceremonial people.
From the Puebloans, they also learned rituals,
songs, prayers and stories. Later, when the
Navajo acquired sheep and horses from the
Spaniards through trading or raiding, they
created entire ceremonies of their own that
included songs and prayers about sheep and
horses. Sheep also provided wool, which allowed
the People to become great weavers of blankets
and rugs.
Navajo weaving, 1915, photo by William J.
Carpenter. Legends of America.

30
Navajo Weaving
31
Navajo Clothing

In the late 18th century, the Navajo moved west
to the present-day Four Corners area, where they
made Canyon de Chelly their stronghold. The move
was caused by hostile pressures from the
Spaniards from the south, the Comanches from
the east, and the Utes from the north.
Whenever possible the People retreated rather
than fought, and they made no exception in this
case. During this time the Navajo became
prosperous materially, artistically, and
ceremoniallya development that led Nathaniel
Patton to write in the Missouri Intelligencer in
1824 that the Navajo were superior to the Plains
Indians because they fashioned clothes, designed
jewelry, raised livestock, and cultivated land.

32
from The New Landby John Smith

Objectives
Learn to understand the elements of life in
England and America that made colonization
attractive to some
Learn to understand the persuasive techniques
used by Smith
Learning to appreciate the hazardous conditions
faces by the first settlers (Comment p. 37)

33
Insights

After several years of adventuring as an English
soldier, Smith met several people who were
organizing the colonization of Virginia.
Smith was made one of the leaders of the
expedition, which arrived in America in 1607 and
founded Jamestown.
The settlement ran into immediate trouble because
the Algonkian Indians, whose chief was Powhatan,
wanted to retain control over that land.
They continually harassed and attacked Jamestown,
until Smith took over the defense of the
settlement and led a successful resistance.

In December of 1607 Smith was out exploring and
was captured by several Indians. He was taken to
Powhatan, and after several incidents that gave
rise to the legend surrounding Smith and
Pocahontas, he was allowed to return to
Jamestown.
After being elected president of the council of
Jamestown, Smith was instrumental in bringing
order and discipline to the town.
In 1608, Smith was the dominant leader of the
fledgling settlement of Jamestown. At that time
he enlarged the fort, trained the settlers a
military manner, sent off boats to trade for
food, and continued to secure corn with the
Indians.
If Smith had not focused on learning and teaching
survival techniques, Jamestown would not have
lasted as long as it did.

In 1609, when he was burned by gunpowder, he was
forced to return to England.
Once back home, he enthusiastically touted the
benefits of colonizing the New Land.
In one later voyage to America he gave the name
New England to the Cape Cod area. But because
Smith was a tactless man, he had trouble finding
financial backers for new voyages and never
achieved the influence in the colonies that he
might have had.
Until he died, Smith was an avid supported of the
cause of colonization and wrote many
propagandistic pieces like the one in the
textbook.

Smith led an adventurous life. Early in his
youth, he fought for the Holy Roman Empire
against the Turks.
They captured him and took him as a slave to
Constantinople there the pashas wife fell in
love with him and managed his freedom.

37
Journal

Have you ever had to convince friends, family,
classmates, or total strangers of the advantages
of taking a certain course of actions?
What means did you used to persuade others to
your way of thinking?
Explain.

38
from The History of Plymouth Plantationby
William Bradford

Objectives
Study allusion
Read to understand the Pilgrims deep faith and
belief in Providence
Read to understand how the Calvinistic outlook
dominated all aspects of life
Read to learn about types of literature produced
in colonial America

39
Insights

The pilgrims believed that in order to follow
their religious beliefs, they had to totally
separate from the corrupt Church of England.
They also opposed the wide powers of the clergy
of the Church. Thus, they established their own
congregations throughout England in the
seventeenth century.
Because of the constant harrassment, they finally
decided to go to America, where they were free to
follow the dictates of their religious
consciences.
Like the Puritans, the Pilgrims adhered to
generally Calvinistic theological doctrines.

Though the English Puritans also favored a
reformation that would rid the Church of England
of rituals reminiscent of the Catholic Church,
they did not advocate the radical step of
separating from the Church.
Once colonization in America had become a
successful venture, their continuing frustration
with the situation in England led them to settle
in New England, where they had the freedom to
establish their own beliefs in theology and
government.
The result was a theocracy in which the church
leaders were also leaders of the state.

Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson both opposed
the establishment of a state church in the
colonies and were expelled from Massachusetts for
their views.
Much of the Puritan theology came from John
Calvin (1509-1564), a French Protestant whose
doctrine of predestination wielded great
influence on continental theologians.

42
Five Points devised by Calvinism

Humanity is innately corrupt because of Adams
Fall, as described in Genesis. People cannot of
their own free wills choose to do good things.
They must first have received the grace of God.
God alone elects those souls that will be
eternally saved people cannot influence His
decisions at all, even through good works.
Only those elected for salvation by God receive
divine grace.
Once a soul is among the holy elected by God, he
or she is assured of eternal salvation
Humanity has been partially forgiven for its
transgressions by Christs martyrdom. As a
result, the elect of God do have a chance of
acting morally if they follow Gods law as
revealed through the Bible. This was the only
sliver of free will allowed by Calvinistic
doctrine.

43
Loophole!

To soften this strict Calvinism, the Puritans
added the Covenant Theology.
According to this, God had made a covenant, or
agreement, to reward humanity with everlasting
life if Adam obeyed divine law.
In the Fall, however, Adam broke this covenant,
but God later made an altered agreement with
Abraham in which humanity can escape its innate
corruption by believing in God and by doing good
works on earth.
Thus, Puritans had somewhat more control over
their divine fates than John Calvin allowed.
The result was the strict emphasis on moral
righteousness that characterized Puritan society
in New England.