Rodolfo Brandon BernardinoP7

Test Essay – Native American Character Traits

Native Americans, colonists, and revolutionaries defined the example American

differently. To Native Americans, it was a person who was in touch with their culture.

Colonists viewed the generalization differently. An ideal American to a colonist would

have many distinctly American traits. Revolutionaries view an American as a person

who will take a stand to better the future of their homeland. It is evident that these views

contrast.

Our Native Americans have a rich, morally upright culture. Native American

culture values the past. An ideal American to a Native American would have

connections and deep respect for nature. This is evident in this passage of “The Earth

Only”: “The old men say the earth only endures. You spoke truly. You are right.”(Used-

as-a-shield, 24) Another character trait evident would be the powerful use of metaphors.

It was typical of Native Americans to have strong oratory skills.

The colonists would’ve seen the ideal American as one of their own. An

American of this view would have connected regular life to their religion. Mary

Rowlandson’s captivity narrative is a prodigious example of this. “…I did not wet my

foot which cannot be acknowledged as a favor of God to my weakened body…”

(Rowlandson, 39) Such an American would have also been a follower of Rationalism,

due to the philosophy’s popularity. Xenophobia was also common. Fears of witchcraft

and other exaggerated claims were common for colonists.