Compare And Contrast John Smith And William Bradford

Sailing the deep blue from coast to coast, dealing with illnesses that were thrown their way, fighting off intimidating savages, spreading the gospel, and forming new settlements that developed new freedoms for their colonists to live under were all breathtaking challenges John Smith and William Bradford overcame on their quest to settle new land. Never did they know that their documentations of these experiences would still be read 400 years later; and never the less one of them to be made into a Disney children’s movie! The ambition and determination that both of these men showed was the very beginning of the country that we know as the Land of the Free. John Smith and William Bradford shared some similarities in their writings, but the

Primarily, Smith’s theme in “A Description of New England” was personal gain. “The masters by this may quickly grow rich” (pg. 57 Norton Anthology).This is just one example. John Smith was previously talking about who he wanted sent to Jamestown; young fatherless children and young married couples, in other words people of “little wealth”. He says, “But that each parish, or village, in city, or country, that will but apparel their fatherless children, of thirteen or fourteen years of age, or young married people, that have small wealth to live on; here by their labor may live exceedingly well” (pg. 57 Norton Anthology). Another Example of self-indulgence in Smith’s writing is in “From the General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles”. As he tells the story of arriving and settling in Jamestown, he speaks mostly of himself and how he overcame all of the hurdles that were tossed at him. Sure, you can see the story line loud and clear, but he doesn’t speak much of anyone but himself. He often times neglects to mention the help from his men. On the other hand, William Bradford’s writing is more on the selfless side. He never failed to mention how God’s hand was over them. In the event of the Godly young man being thrown overboard, then saving himself, and later in life becoming a “profitable member both in church and commonwealth” (pg. 60 Norton Anthology), Bradford believed it was God’s purpose and plan for them to arrive at their destination safely, with only one person dying. William Bradford also mentions how the christians acted differently when the others needed care and love. “There was but six or seven persons, who… spared no pains, night nor day, but abundance of toil and hazard of their own health, fetched them wood, made them fires, dressed them meat, made their beds, washed their