Before and After #2

Example 1 - Before

This writing is very informative on the dynamics in the relationship between the native Americans and the

settlers who were coming to “settle” the land. Being as few people from that time were actually educated enough to

read and write (and if they could write, they probably weren’t that talented), it is unique to have such a well

transcribed account of the experience.

One thing very resounding was how harshly the native Americans were perceived by settlers such as Bradford.

He writes in chapter IX:

“Being thus passed the vast ocean, and a sea of troubles before in their preparation…. They had now no friends

to welcome them nor inns to entertain or refresh their weatherbeaten bodies.”

How arrogant it was for them to assume that the Indians would welcome new comers in and care for them.

Especially after previous encounters with the settlers showed them how dangerous they could be. The Indians had

every right to fight them, to protect what had been theirs for hundreds of years. The notation that they were sent by

God is a matter of opinion, however treating the Indians as they did was certainly not of God.

Bradford makes several references to Indians calling them “barbarians” and “wild men” just to name a few.

These remarks further enforce the just how arrogant the settlers were.

***

Reading this selection and seeing how people considered themselves so much more advanced than the people

of another culture and judged them so harshly is sadly not a concept that had dissipated. Here we are centuries later

and we still judge other people with a notion that any one human life is better than another. Racism is still

flourishing all around. People dislike Mexican citizens for illegally entering the country when obviously the

Europeans and Spanish did the exact same thing. People dislike Muslims and other such religious followers just

because their beliefs are so different than what Americans believe. The irony here is in the fact that a main reason in

leaving Europe was so that the Europeans could believe the way they chose. Have we since forgotten how much we

believed that people should be free to worship the way they choose? I believe so.

Before and After #2

Example 1 - After

William Bradford’s “Of Plymouth Plantation” is very informative about the relationship between the Pilgrims

who settled New England and the Native Americans. At that time few people were educated enough to read and

write (and if they could write, they probably weren’t that talented), so it is unique to have a well-transcribed account

of the experience.

One thing very resounding in Bradford’s account is how harshly the Native Americans were perceived.

Bradford makes several references to them, calling them “barbarians” and “wild men.” These remarks further

enforce how arrogant the settlers were. In chapter IX, Bradford writes: “Being thus passed the vast ocean, and a sea

of troubles before in their preparation…. They had now no friends to welcome them nor inns to entertain or refresh

their weatherbeaten bodies.”

How arrogant the Pilgrims were to assume the Indians would immediately welcome new comers and care for

them. Especially after previous encounters with Europeans had shown how dangerous they could be. The Indians

had every right to fight, to protect what had been theirs for hundreds of years. The notion the Pilgrims had that they

were sent by God is a matter of opinion; however, their treatment of the Indians was certainly not of God.

Reading this selection and seeing how the Pilgrims considered themselves so much more advanced than the

Indians and judged them so harshly is sadly not an attitude that has dissipated. Centuries later we still judge other

people based on the notion that one group of human beings is better than another. Racism still flourishes. People

dislike Mexican citizens for illegally entering the country when obviously the Europeans and Spanish did exactly

same thing. People dislike Muslims because their beliefs are different than what Americans believe. The irony here

is fact that the main reason so many people left Europe was so they could practice their beliefs. Have we forgotten

how much we believed that people should be free to worship the way they choose? I believe so.

Before and After #2

Example 2 - Before

William Bradford describes the struggles the Puritans and Separatist inured during the succession from

England in his Chapter”Of Plymouth Plantation”. Bradford suggested that people made the choice to either stay in

England and be imprisoned for their beliefs or to flee the country to go to the New World by saying "... the desired

to enjoy the ordinance of God in their purity and the liberty of the gospel with them, yet they admitted of bondage

with danger of conscience, rather than to endure these hardships. Yea, some preferred and chose the prisons in

England rather that the liberty in Holland with these afflictions (68)." In reality those who were imprisoned, were

more than like caught while trying to flee England or couldn’t afford to travel. There were probably people who

were so comfortable with their lifestyles in England, that they didn’t want to give it up to go to uncivilized country

even for religious freedoms.

Example 2 - After

In “Of Plymouth Planation” William Bradford describes the struggles the Puritans endured during the

succession from England. In the following quote, Bradford suggests that people had to make the choice to either

stay in England and be imprisoned for their beliefs or to flee the country to go to the New World:

"... they desired to enjoy the ordinance of God in their purity and the liberty of the gospel with them, yet they

admitted of bondage with danger of conscience, rather than to endure these hardships. Yea, some preferred and

chose the prisons in England rather that the liberty in Holland with these afflictions (68)."

In reality, those who were imprisoned were more likely those caught while trying to flee England or those who

couldn’t afford to travel. There were probably people who were so comfortable with their lifestyle in England they

didn’t want to give it up to go to an uncivilized country even for religious freedom.