Mayflower Discussion Questions

1. The Pilgrims had a strong want for religious freedom that surpassed their fears or doubts. Their extremely religious life gave them something to hope in and work for. Their want limited them also, because there was division between the "Strangers" and the "Saints." This division made their goal of a thriving colony seem harder to reach.

3. we all want to believe that going to America, the New World, was just meant to be. Stories were sugar-coated to make our home seem deserved, not like it was taken away from the Natives, who had every right to want the unwelcomed Pilgrims to leave.

4. In the 1670's, there was more competition between the European powers. As there was fighting for land, Native Americans got caught in the crossfire and were merely toys to get what the competitors wanted. If there was not any competition there would be no problem. There was probably some more land South but that was not what was wanted. English lands were wanted.

5. Squanto was witty, knowledgeable, and an opportunist. Because he was so knowledgeable when it came to the Enlgish language and culture, he got the adventagious job of relaying information back and forth. He was always in the loop. he used this information for himself and started a "psychological war" between the Natives and the English. Although he did not get very far he had begun suspicions and speculations on both sides so that there was a bit of tension.

6. The children of the Pilgrims probably accepted this because they thought it a compliment. The had achieved complete independence from the Natives as to be able to forget what the Natives had done for their people. I believed it was deserved but not as a compliment. They had forgotten why they were there to begin with. History was very imprtant to the Natives, they would have done well the to learn from the Natives.

8. In movies natives americans are seen to be savages who need to be overcome and taught their way is wrong. Philbrick makes it clear that the Natives were smart human beings. They were the ones who helped the English survive. In movies, Natives are also depicted as viscious warriors. This is true.

9. I do not see any heros. Others might see Church as one but he said he would not enslave Natives. Then, to impress Moseley, he captures 14 Natives.

10. During King Philip's War there were many "friendly fires." The "misconceptions of racial identity" definately prolonged the war. By stereotyping all Natives ('a good Indian is a dead Indian'-Moseley), the English lost good allies.

11. Like said before, the Natives were not a "monolith." A Tribe vs. B Tribe, was not something uncommon berfore the English came. What was surprising was the fact that when the Natives were captured they freely gave up information on their family's whereabouts. If I was a Native American during that war, I would have picked sides with the Natives, because the English wronged the Natives more.

12. Neither Native or English could be morally superior to the other. Thier torture practices and killing of women and children cannot be differentiated. It was all the same.

15. Yes he was "undecided." He made sure to get enough information to allow the reader to decide for himself or herself who was morally wrong or right. He avoided no issues. He brought them up and displayed facts for both sides and left the rest to the reader. In a factual telling of this series of events in America, there are no "moral lessons."