Differences Between John Smith And William Bradford

The Differences between John Smith and William Bradford John Smith and William Bradford were some of the first authors of early American literature. John Smith, a former soldier and pirate, leapt at the opportunity to go to the New World. He helped shape the Jamestown colony and contributed to its government, even serving as a governor for a year. However, one of his most important accomplishments was writing three books about his experiences in the New World. William Bradford joined the Separatists as a teenager and later went with them to the Netherlands. After leaving the Netherlands with the Separatists, they headed out for the New World. Shortly after their arrival in New England, the Separatists were severely ravaged by disease,

John Smith wrote more about himself and his own accomplishments. Compared to Smith, Bradford most often wrote about the goodness of God and talks about Plymouth’s struggles. He says of their arrival in the New World, “Being thus arrived in good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean” (Bradford 30). In Smith’s later books his writing is more honorable to God than in his most popular book, A General History. In Smith’s writing, he refers to the Indians more as savages than people. Unlike Smith, Bradford talks about making peace with the Indians and even refers to them later on as friends. He also praises and Indian who helps them and writes about how special he is. He says that this Indian named Squanto is “a special instrument” and that he is “sent of God.” (Bradford 34) Where Bradford’s writing is proved to be credible, Smith’s writing has never actually been proven true. Though their styles and content differed greatly, John Smith and William Bradford both wrote the first accounts of their

William Bradford always seems to praise God for everything that happens. He gave thanks to God when a tormentor was punished, after a young man narrowly escaped death, and after their safe arrival in the New World. Bradford says of an example of God’s justice, “And it was an astonishment to all his fellows for they noted it to be the just hand of God upon him” (pg. 29). John Smith also praises God occasionally in his writings. In A General History, Smith mentions the providence of God that softened the Indians’ hearts and kept them from killing him. Unlike Smith, Bradford gave thanks to God, even after the Plymouth colony had just suffered through a dreadful sickness. In their dealings with the Indians, Bradford seems to get along better with the Indians and even treats them as Christians should treat others. Throughout most of his writings, John Smith never has peace with the Indians. One of the only times John Smith mentions being friendly to the Indians is in A Description of New England. In this book, John Smith talks about converting the Indians. He says of the Indians, “If he have any grain or of faith or zeal in religion, what can he do less hurtful or more agreeable to God than to seek to convert those poor savages to know Christ” (Smith 21). The other time Smith is friendly with the Indians is after