In Captivity and Restoration Mary Rowlandson writes about her experience as a prisoner under Native Americans. After being pulled away from her life and loved ones Mary faced a lot of challenges under captivity. For majority of the time Mary was freezing cold and starving. At one point Mary desperately ate horse liver and described that “for to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet” (28). Although at some points the Indians were protective and somewhat caring Mary describes the Indians as savages.
During her experience the reader is shown a negative depiction of the Indians. She considers the Indians as inferior, calling them “barbaric enemies” and “pagans.” Indian culture was considered foreign and it didn’t follow the social normality. But, with that being said Mary believes that Indians can be socially accepted in society if they behave the right way and assimilate into their customs. For example, years after captivity Mary sees the same Indian that threatened to take her life while she was a prisoner, just walking down the street in Boston “under the appearance of a friend Indian”(41).
Although the Indians weren’t as advanced as the colonist and practiced paganism, they were still human. Looking back at Mary’s journey the Indians only treated her as a prisoner. Mary’s depiction of the Indians was bias and twisted because she was held captive against her will.
I agree. I think the biggest issue that Rowlandson was facing at the time was a struggle between her believe (or her impression of human behavior considering her puritan believes) and the Indian lifestyles. There were details in the book, showing that Rowlandson still received some extent of kindness during her capture. As a prisoner, the Indians did not give special care to her, but they also did not treat her in a extreme bad manner.
This is an interesting observation. The more established and civilized lifestyle that Mary has been accustomed to suddenly becomes challenged by the Indians. Considering what she went through, it would make sense to think they are savages. However, as Mary tells us about what it was like to be held captive, she realizes that despite living a simpler life, there is an opportunity for the Indians to peacefully coexist with British colonists. It would take a while for theme to adjust, but it is entirely possible.
I disagree, I believe that Rowlandson wrote about seeing “that fellow afterwards walking up and down Boston, under the appearance of a Friend Indian, and several other of the like cut,” (41) as a sign that simple assimilation does not work to create a harmonious society. I believe she sees this man as putting up a ruse in order to survive. This man wasn’t simply a tad bit rude to her, he threatened her with a sword. She does not see that as true Christian characteristics and yet later in life this man has been able to fool others into thinking of him as a “Friend Indian.” (41) This is also seen in the Praying Indians, supposedly converted to Christianity and yet they seem to be the farthest from her ideal Christian.