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Pocahontas Vs. The Indian Princess

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A young Powhatan woman who lived amongst English pioneers in the mid 1600 's left a waiting effect on history that rattles many today. The story of Pocahontas has created much controversy because of biased sources which cannot always be trusted in the telling of her life. Historians have endeavored to clarify the real life of this youthful Native American young woman. A modern movie like Pocahontas produced by Disney and The Indian Princess a musical play by James Nelson Barker taking into account the Pocahontas story are similar, yet distinct in the ways the authors illustrate ideas and details. Though both pieces of work are cogent and pragmatic in the way they are portrayed, it is evident that there are key details that separate both of these …show more content…

Subsequently, both pieces of work have a specific, exquisite manner in which they are written or depicted for towards the audience. In Pocahontas, the intended audience was for children to absorb the message of acceptance of others. The movie uses very simple language and appropriate scenarios for children to comprehend the message that is being sold. There are no evident scenes in the movie that is put in to actually capture the emotions of the audience. The movie is not complex and is very easy to understand therefore there is not really a “hidden” message. Unlike The Indian Princess, it can arguably be considered a melodra. A melodra is an emotional or artistic piece of work in which the main goal is intended to have the audience experience firm feelings that overshadow vital and key details to building the message behind the story. In Pocahontas, the message is somewhat transparent and is very easy to solve. In The Indian Princess, there can be many ways to interpret what the message is because it appeals to many different people and it allows them to feel and grasp different emotions. Barker wrote, “But Oh! when the lov 'd-one appears, Like the sun a bright day to impart,To kiss off those envious tears,To give a new warmth to the heart; Soon the flow 'ret seeming dead; Raises up its blushing head, Glows again the breast of love, Laughs again the joyful grove…” This quote is extremely important because it is extremely detailed. The details help express the tone and setting to the audience; it helps one feel more inclined to relating to the characters in the play or plot. Both pieces illustrate a similar notion but they are written in different ways, ultimately shifting one’s perspective between the movie and

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