The Unredeemed Captive Analysis

Demos stresses that once captured, the victim can take one of two paths. He or she will either be valued as a pay off, or assimilated into Native or French Culture. Most adults, especially Reverend Williams, saw captivity as a spiritual journey; a punishment for sins and the destiny assigned them by God. It was their duty to endure, and by doing so they pleased Him. As Cotton Mather int

Demos’ main sources for the lives of the Williams’ family was Reverend John Williams’ narrative, as well as the 4000 typed pages transcribed from Stephen Williams’ diaries. When reconstructing the life of Eunice in Kahnawake, he took general observations from “relations” to Jesuit superiors in France as well as Priest Joseph Francois Lafitau’s study Moeurs des Sauvages Ameriquains Comparees aux Moeurs des Premiers Temps. Demos’ narrative style intrigues the reader and brings him or her closer to the historical figures, however when faced with a lack of information he must speculate as to reasons or even actual events. There was no real documentation of Eunice’s acculturation so he could only tell her story through conjecture based on how other children were treated. Though always warned when moving from fact to supposition, the frequent use of this method may harm the credibility of the work. Demos’ interpretations are, in fact, his own, and by definition carry his own biases and values with them.

The morally brutal nature of Calvinist ministers, a trait found today in many Southern Baptist leaders though to a lesser extent, should prove the need for exclusion of moral superiors from the governing process. Puritan colonists lived in a constant state of fear and shame; Native Americans were looked upon as “savages” and no man or woman should be subject to such condescending and overbearing rule in such an enlightened time. The Puritans destroyed a civilization, no matter which way it is said. Whether it be flourished with pretty and noble words, or supported by the most powerful of men, those with closed and arrogant ideas have wiped out all Native American culture that could have well been assimilated and considered an asset to our modern culture.

The Puritans possessed a deep-seeded hatred of Roman Catholics who the deemed “papists”. By using this term they implied Catholics followed the Pope rather than God or Chris

Some topics in this essay:
Native Americans, Reverend Williams, Returns Zion, Native American, Temps Demos’, February Europeans, John Williams, Pierre Charlevoix, God Christ, King Williams, native americans, john williams, children treated, historical figures, narrative style, williams’ narrative, reverend williams, native american, moeurs des, human qualities,