History chapter 2 discussion
Compare each film's interpretation of how Pocahontas "saves" John Smith.
In the Disney version, when Pocahontas saves John Smith the films intention is to show the love between them by all the singing and the emotional expressions. And in the New World, they show a quick glimpse of Pocahontas saving Smith by covering him. The two films "saving" of Smith is by Pocahontas trying to convince her father by peace.
How does each film portray the Powhatans' relationship with nature
In the New world showed little relationship between the Powhatans' relationship with nature. As compared to the Disney film, the relationship Powhatans' have with nature is much stronger. For example, when Pocahontas was running to save John Smith she had birds and other animals following her.
How do Smith and Pocahontas meet and interact in each film? Discuss their relationship.
In the two films, there is a big distinction between how Pocahontas and John Smith met. Moreover, the portrayal of their relationship has a great distinction as well. In the Disney version, it seems that they have already had a strong relationship because when Pocahontas saved Smith, she was heavily expressing her love for him. As compared to the New World,it seems that they have just met and have no relationship at all.
Compare the culture of the Indians and English in both films. Who is doing "better"?
It is somewhat difficult to determine who is doing better in The New World because it is hard to determine how they are living. However, by the way John Smith is armored in the movie you can conclude that the English were more advanced than the Indians. Same as goes to the Disney film, the English had more advanced weapons such as rifles as compared to the Powhatans had bows.
In what ways does each film alter history? Does either film contribute to stereotypes about Native Americans? Explain your answers.
The Disney film intention was to make the movie as "Disney" as possible. Meaning that the writers will add all of the singing and other inaccurate material to attract more of the kids. So, history was obviously altered by the fact that what really happened was that the English settlement was a violent scene, and made it more of a love story. In the New World, they made the relationship between the Indians and the English way to hostile at first. Where in real life Powhatan showed hospitality towards them at first. In the New World they strongly stereotype the Natives by ululating and the face paint.
