John Smith- Emily Eaton
In general I have always had issues with John Smith, I have never been able to understand why his legacy continues on. Even our beloved Norton Anthology points out in the first sentence of the introduction of Smith by Amy E. Winans that “Smith has often been described by scholars as a swashbuckling colonial states man, A SELF MADE MAN…”(273). Although I do fully understand that these writings by Smith are historical and he had many important roles in the colonization of Jamestown I cannot help but just think why I am even reading this fiction. I am not sure where my anger really stems from however I think it centers around his self-absorption. First off his decision to write himself in as a third person really shows his interest in making himself the idol, hero whatever you may call it. He depicts himself as the main leader and maintains the appearance of having the upper hand; he even uses a twelve-year-old girl to show his superiority. All this because he wants the King and Queen and all of Europe to see that they will have much respect and be above the Natives if and when they decide to join him in the American dream.