John Smith Narrative

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Journalism is a form of communication that provides the public with local, national, and international news. One of the first styles of journalism to appear in America was a first person narrative that gives an account of a real life event. This style of writing has become so ingrained with in the fabric of our society that today it is considered a sub-genre of American Literature. The eye-witness account of an event is viewed as one of the most valuable perspectives to gather when piecing together a story although it can also be one of the most questionable sources of information to receive. Americans still desire to hear or read about first person experiences that contain emotions, details, and facts. The fascination and reliability …show more content…
Some might have even been waiting for optimistic news that making the journey across the sea was worth it. John Smith is America’s first writer to capitalize on the need for positive written experiences. The story of John Smith is a captivity narrative, yet it ends leaving the reader with a feeling of triumph rather than defeat. (68) It is imperative to note that John Smith is clearly seen as a hero with in his own narrative because it helps support the idea that anyone can move to Jamestown and be just as fortunate as him. Smith’s narrative was fundamental in creating images of prosperity, risk, opportunity and freedom to the English which catalyzed a need for even more stories similar to his. Mary Rowlandson’s story is another example of an eye-witness account that carries a great amount of significance. She was willing to share her deepest emotions and struggles while being held a capture of the Indians. Rowlandson states, “my children gone, my relations and friends gone, our house and home and all our comforts within door and without all was gone.” (130) She was able to communicate with a heavy blade of reality about life in the colonies to the people of England, and she was also the first taste of American Literature written by a
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