The improvement of the blacks in body and mind, in the first instance of their mixture with the whites, has been observed by every one, and proves that their inferiority is not the effect merely of their condition of life.
Jefferson is claiming that any person of African American descent that has children with those of White descent have improved their child's quality of life. Proving that these thoughts are not just opinions but true beliefs rooted in strict racism.
that in memory they are equal to the whites; in reason much inferior, as I think one could scarcely be found capable of tracing and comprehending the investigations of Euclid; and that in imagination they are dull, tasteless, and anomalous.
Again, Jefferson expresses his deeply rooted racism. Claiming that he believes that Indigenous people could have the same memory as whites, however, they are far too "inferior" to have true meaning to their livelihood, as in comprehending arts and books.
The circumstance of superior beauty, is thought worthy attention in the propagatio
This passage is deeply rooted in hate and pseudoscientific beliefs through beauty standards. Claiming that only one race may be deemed beautiful and worthy of human reproduction.
, till they shall have acquired strength; and to send vessels at the same time to other parts of the world for an equal number of white inhabitants; to induce whom to migrate hither, proper encouragements were to be proposed.
This is such a scary paragraph to read. The ideas that these men had are so gut-wrenching. Jefferson willingly writes about how, eventually replacing the indigenous people with white inhabitants to achieve their goal.
the bill should be taken up, and further directing, that they should continue with their parents to a certain age, then be brought up, at the public expence, to tillage, arts or sciences, according to their geniusses,
This statement is heartbreaking. Their own government is admittedly planning the lives of unborn babies to get their sense of a 'perfect world' by removing any aspect of culture from the beginning.
Instances are known, under these circumstances, of their rearing a dozen children.
This interpretation is interesting, because the reader sees from Jefferson's perspective that he is shocked that Indigenous women can raise their children 'just as well' as white women. Emphasising the racist perspective put on the indigenous women, thinking they're incapable.
The women are submitted to unjust drudgery. This I believe is the case with every barbarous people.
This quote represents firsthand the misrepresentation of the indigenous people. Claiming that the women are forced to do hard labor and treated like equals is being unjust.
surrender, though it be to the whites, who he knows will treat him well: t
This quote is so interesting to me because Jefferson is praising the Indigenous people for their bravery. Seems like he is implying that they should not be as trustworthy with the others.
I have thought since of the wonderful goodness of God to me in preserving me in the use of my reason and senses in that distressed time, that I did not use wicked and violent means to end my own miserable life
This is so strange to me that one of her first thoughts after her child sadly died is to seize this opportunity of death as a religious calling for herself. Even in suffering she believes that her outliving her own child is a reflection of her strong faith
But the Lord renewed my strength still, and carried me along, that I might see more of His power; yea, so much that I could never have thought of, had I not experienced it.
This quote shows a strong association with good coming from the Lord. Rowlandson expects the Lord to care and heal her, and once that expectation is fulfilled, she believes it is a new opportunity to use her faith and see his power.
Little do many think what is the savageness and brutishness of this barbarous enemy, Ay, even those that seem to profess more than others among them, when the English have fallen into their hands.
Again, this usage of "savages" and "barbarous enemy" implies the animalistic imagery associated with the Native American community. They're viewed as less than by the puritan community.
Oh the roaring, and singing and dancing, and yelling of those black creatures in the night, which made the place a lively resemblance of hell.
The usage of vulgar wording emphasizes the deep-rooted racial and religious beliefs held in Rowlandson's community. This phrase is straight dehumanizing towards the Native American community and reflects the disgusting association of sin and evil.
Rowlandson seems irreversibly estranged from her once stable cultural identity. Rather than interpreting this as a loss,
Her new identity gained through her hardship is one that is a permanent change. It is explained that she truly can never return to her natural Puritan beliefs after what she had witnessed in these traumatic experiences. Does this show that she is straying from the public belief?
micum’s justification of Rowlandson’s writerly transgression of Puritan gender norms was a necessary precaution, given that another Puritan woman, Anne Hutchinson (1591-1643), had been banished from Massachusetts in 1637 for expressing controversial views.
This is honestly so heartbreaking to notice that Rowlandson was very cautious in her writings to make sure her opinions satisfied the public. Makes me wonder if that is why so many published writings from this time share similar ideologies due to the collective fear of rejection.
Rowlandson’s experience and shrewdly anticipates the patriarchal Puritan society’s objections to publishing a woman by defending her text on religious grounds.
I believe this was a brilliant decision Rowlandson made. Including religious citations in her writing during this time could have made her seem like a more "credible source," even for a woman. She knew what the audience would approve of, and religious ties are safe.
As tensions mounted, the leader (or “sachem”) of the Wampanoags, Metacom (called King Philip by the English), warned that the colonists’ continued treachery against his people was sure to lead to a violent confrontation.
It is interesting here that Rowlandson is predicting what is to come of this pressure. If she truly thought that this force given by the English would cause death and destruction, why would she not want to voice this? Did she believe it was deserved?