Why John Smith Wrote This

     I think John Smith wrote this to cast himself in a heroic light. He wanted everyone to think that he was a great person and managed to make Pocahontas care about him so much that she saved him from the ‘savages’.  Smith had everyone in Jamestown go to work mowing, thatching, and building so that everyone in Jamestown would at least have a home. After he says how he put them to work he says that he bore the greatest tasks and had nowhere to live. This was done to make himself look like such a caring guy.

         John Smith also felt that when Wingfield and Kendall tried to alter the course of the trade ship and Kendall’s death was disgustful. He thought that everyone should agree with him and do as he says. Smith, on his voyage, was under the impression that ‘savages’ were awaiting him along the Chickahominy River with baskets of food and gifts.

         When people started to talk about how John Smith had never found the head of the Chickahominy River he decided to set out on a voyage to try to find it. Eventually his ship could not go any farther down the river and he took two men and one savage in a canoe, telling his men to stay aboard the ship till he returns. His men disobey and end up being attacked by ‘savages’ and the only reason most of them survived was due to failure on the attackers fault.

         Overall, John Smith seemed fairly conceited and like he wanted to make himself look heroic. He never had any flaws; it was always people around him that messed up. I think he wrote this so that he would look good in the world’s eyes.