Stereotypes Of John Smith's Time In The Americas '

Matthew Hagopian

Dr. Paul Craven

ENG 231-01X

09 February 2018

Reaction Essay

In the examination of the books written about John Smith and his time in the Americas, I can only see the negative stereotypes of what people think embodies Americanness. But first, one needs to look at what are these undesirable stereotypes of an American. Americans are known for being hot-headed and quick to anger, not wanting to talk things out only use our fists, being egotistical and only thinking about us, and being bullies to those around us. In the history of America, the first man who embodies these damaging stereotypes is the explorer John Smith. He was notorious for being quick to anger and being full of himself. Last he was known for being a bully

He had a reputation of taking action rather than talking issues out. During his journey from England to the Americas it was said, “His hard-to-control temper and stubborn self-reliance made him an often-troublesome companion” (Smith, Arber, & Bradly 58). This type of attitude was the trigger for him ending up in jail on the transport ship and then being threatened with execution in the West Indies within a month. At one point when John was in the Americas he had to stop a plot of deserters, he chose to shoot their ship and state “stay or die” (Smith, Arber, & Bradly 62). This problem could have easily been solved without getting violent. This stereotype of being an American is one I would like to see disappear from society as it leaves us in a bad light. I feel that the stories around John Smith and how he tamed the frontier helped entrench this idea that all Americans are hot-headed and don’t listen to

At one point in the preface to his books he is referred to as “the legendary Captain John Smith” (Smith, Arber, & Bradly 57). Statements like this one, which is from 1910, show how he and some other people portrayed him some 300 years later. This also goes to show how his actions have affected the view of later generations. At other times in his book he states “Without sails, the want of a sufficient power, apparel for his men, and other necessaries, were infinite impediments yet no discernment.” (Smith, Arber, & Bradly 61). In this statement he was basically stating even without all of these things it doesn’t matter to me because I’m John Smith. With declarations like this and with people 300 years later supporting it to the degree that they do, it doesn’t help how the world comes to see Americans as a whole. If people only see us for what they think and not what we are the affect to us as a people will be