The Narrative of Nathaniel Philbrick’s “Mayflower”

Over the years, authors have offered a different understanding of the history of America based on their knowledge and view through literature analysis. The basic description one can capture from the various literary works is based on the interactions between the Native Americans and the English which lay the foundation of the American society. Nathaniel Philbrick seeks to follow in suit and offer his understanding of the interaction of the two parties that formed the basis of the American society. In his analysis, Philbrick focuses on three main elements which are war, community, and courage. In his presentation, Philbrick keenly focuses on the first fifty-five years of the Pilgrim’s life as they ventured into the New World.

Relationship of the Pilgrims and the Native American Neighbors

The narration by Philbrick seeks to focus on the story “we need to know” as opposed to the story ”we already know”(Philbrick, 2014). Understanding the meaning behind the phrase by Philbrick entails focusing on the relationship that existed between the Pilgrims and their neighbors the Native Americans. Philbrick lays keen emphasis on the superficial assessments associated in understanding the role and operations of the Pilgrims where there we are informed how the Pilgrims were ”good” while the impression associated with the Native Americans paints them as the ”Bad” group(Browne, 2007). Based on the provided description, the author highlights that the statement is associated with what we know, but there is the importance of what we need to know which Philbrick suggests is based on the fact that the episode in history associated with the interactions of the Pilgrims and the Native Americans is not black and white.

The existing known knowledge regarding the interactions between the Pilgrims and their neighbors the Native Americans is one that borders on hostility and distrust for each other(Philbrick, 2014). However, Philbrick seeks to indulge the audience in a manner that will ensure the facts are laid bare regarding what we all need to know regarding the relationship between the two communities. According to Philbrick (2014), the Pilgrims and the Native Americans, the Pokanokets, were brought together based on a mutual understanding and need that they were in a position to benefit from each other.

Philbrick (2014) finds it very important for the audience to have a vivid knowledge of the manner in which the Pilgrims and the Native Americans met and later what led to their fall out. Philbrick (2014) mentions that the Pilgrims had moved to the region and they needed assistance from the Pokanokets for them to survive the harsh new environment especially the extreme cold. On the other hand, the author finds it prudent for the audience to realize that the Native Americans, Pokanokets, had lost their influence in the region as the most powerful people due to the deaths and diseases that led to a significant decrease in their population(Browne, 2007). Following this prevailing predicament faced by both parties, Philbrick highlights how the two communities were in a position to benefit from each other.

Relevance of the Interactions by the Different Groups on American History

Philbrick (2014) delves into the history that highlights the interactions between the settlement by the Pilgrims and their relationships with the native Americans which shaped the history of America. The narration offered by Philbrick seeks to trace the happenings between the time of the arrival of the Mayflower followed by the later departure of the Seaflower which occurred within the fifty-five-year period discussed by the author(Browne, 2007). For the audience to understand the relevance of the Pilgrims, Native Americans, King Phillip’s war, and the Mayflower, we need to keenly follow how the interactions by the identified elements laid the foundation of the American society is based on Philbrick’s interpretation(Philbrick, 2014). According to Philbrick, the coming together of different communities can be traced to the need to work together towards a goal and the need for survival.

The Mayflower

symbolizes the setting of a new dawn where the two groups involving the Pilgrims and the Native Americans come together based on the goal of survival(Browne, 2007). As time progresses, the groups develop interests which affect the primary reason for their unity, and this causes a strain of their relationship. With the onset of the new generation, there is a breakout of the King Philip’s War which led to the devastation of New England(Philbrick, 2014). The fall out mark by King Philip’s War marked the departure of the Seaflower

where the end of the coexistence between the Natives and the Settlers marked the onset of slavery and death which was a new and devastating chapter in the American history.

Mythology and Reality

The narration provided by Philbrick casts a new light into the myths associated with the role of the Settlers and Natives and the following slavery which marked the foundation of the American society. Following the presentation by Philbrick, we can establish the reality of the American society which focuses on what ”we need to know” as opposed to the myths that are taught(Browne, 2007). By concentrating on the narration by Philbrick, Americans are preoccupied with the myths based on the need to avoid the magnitude associated with reality and the subsequent controversies. Myths offer a better alternative to the fact which is usually viewed as a preferable version where the contentious issues are carefully avoided.

References

Browne, R. B. (2007). Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick. The Journal of American Culture, 30(2), 249–250.

Philbrick, N. (2014). Mayflower: A Voyage to War (Text Only). HarperCollins UK.