Nathaniel Philbrick’s Mayflower provides a deep insight into the first fifty-five years of the Pilgrims settlement in America. He wishes to alter the public view that the Pilgrim’s story ends during the Thanksgiving dinner with a good relationship with the Indians. Rather, he explains how the Pilgrim’s and Indian’s relationship was very complex, as it started off hostile due to clashes with the Europeans, but became friendlier as Massasoit and Bradford became dependent allies of each other. But, as the next generation grew, because of factors such as fear, greed, and racism, their relationship deteriorated to the point that war erupted. Philbrick also wishes to clear up two common misconceptions: “the time-honored tradition of how the Pilgrims…show more content… Although he may be biased against certain characters, he usually provides a fair, detailed account of both the Europeans and Indians. He explains that no “good or bad” side existed; both the Europeans and Indians had their strengths and flaws that manifested at different times. The first generation of Pilgrims were indeed strong, religious people, but they would not have survived without the Indian’s help. In return, the Pilgrims helped the Indians develop their fortunes. However, Philbrick emphasizes that the second generation of Pilgrims did not appreciate the help the Indians had provided them in the past. The Pilgrims were greedy and kept on stealing land from the Indians. Because of their anger, the Indians waged war (perhaps prematurely). At this point, it is unclear who Philbrick is rooting for. But after his hero, Church, arrives on the scene, Philbrick seems to support the Pilgrims for the rest of the novel. He depicts the Indians as too bloodthirsty, and unwilling to settle for peace. This is not a bias in favor of the Pilgrims; rather, it is a bias in favor of Church, because Philbrick clearly emphasizes the wrongdoings of other Pilgrim officers. He is simply showing that Church is a good person; his book is not anti -Indian. By the end, readers understand that both sides could be peaceful and barbaric, depending on the situation; therefore, Philbrick accomplishes his second
