Sunday, January 24, 2010

Objectiveness of Tone (Columbus & Harriot)-Jazmin Kittleson

Jazmin Kittleson

Assignment 2.3 Online Activity

1) Christopher Columbus uses an objectiveness of tone when talking about the formation of the land and the beauty it brings. He uses a bit of exaggeration in the tone of his writing especially in his letter to Ferdinand and Isabella, he uses this tone of exaggeration to emphasize the importance of his exploration and to instill confidence in what they are supporting by telling them about the formation of the land and of his discoveries. Christopher tells of how beautiful the land is and emphasizes that it is the greatest sight in the world and how gracious it is that he gets to view it himself and tell about it.

2) In Christopher Columbus’s first letter to Ferdinand and Isabella he also uses an objectiveness of tone in telling about the people and how gracious they have been while on his conquest and how great everything was going for him. “I passed from the Canary Islands from the Indies with the fleet which the most illustrious king and queen our sovereigns gave to me” (25). Christopher Columbus’s whole journey/experience was not as great as he perceived it to Ferdinand and Isabella, many events were to be true but with the way he tells it he is good at manipulating the truth in how it is perceived.

3) In the writings of Harriot his objectiveness of tone is very optimistic especially when talking about how easy it was for the conversion of the Indians. He talked about how they would rub their bodies against the bibles and kiss for consideration of credibility. It is hard to believe that the Natives are so quickly to turn from their gods. Harriot also uses a lot of exaggeration in how the Natives started to become diseased once the Christians started to leave their lands, and he implies that might be the affect.

4) One of the main reason Harriot uses an objectiveness in his tone of writing would be because Harriot was forced by his employer Sir Walter Ralegh to be propagandistic. He had to give the land glorious reviews and also had to review the Native Americans as wonderful to Christianity. He wanted to make sure that the viewers and audiences were pleased with what they heard and how things were, because to them Christianity is the only light and it should be like that everywhere and it is good to know that Harriot is doing a good job of spreading that because no one wants to be considered a failure.

assignment 2.3 Matt L and Karissa

When writing his letters, Columbus was very objective in his tone of writing. In his first letter he wrote only about how beautiful the land was, how friendly the people were, and how green everything was. He didn’t say one bad or descending thing about anything he saw or anyone he met. The reason for this is most likely that if the court of Spain thought there was anything wrong or upsetting about the New World, they might not have given Columbus more money for future explorations, which Columbus thought was an important necessity to make.

Thomas Harriot viewed the Native Americans as quite different compared to people in England like himself. He seemed to talk about the Indians in a very negative matter stating how they live, what they wear, their religion, and much more about them. Harriot mentions what it would be like to get in a war with the Native Americans stating, “By the experience we have in some places, the turning up of their heels against us in running away was their best defense” (page 38). Here he talks about all of the advantages we would have against the Indians. Harriot also says what little they have compared to us saying “they have no such tools, nor any such crafts, sciences and arts as we” (page 38). He thinks that they should start respecting us and doing everything they can to please us so maybe one day they could be brought to civilization and true religion.

Nicolle and Anna L.

Harriot talked about religion as if its just a made up story that people believe in; unlike himself. "They believe also [in] the immortality of the soul..." (page 39).With using "they" all the time, It references the assumption of disbelief. I say this because he doesn't talk about himself believing in anything.
Harriot also describes the religion of the people from the view point that they are wrong, and he is right. "Some religion they have already, which although it is far from the truth, yet being as it is, there is hope it may be easier and sooner reformed" (pg. 39) The very first thing he mentions about it is how what they believe is far from what he believes, which he calls, "the truth" and in the same sentence talks about how easy it will be then to reform their religion. It is apparent from the start that it is not a merely descriptive text.

Columbus showed excitement about finding new land. In his journals, he would describe the new land like "All are most beautiful..." (page 26). He showed compassion for what he discovered. He did this by describing, "...of a thousand shapes, and all are accessible and filled with trees of a thousand kinds and tall, and they seem to touch the sky" (page 26). You can just here the enthusiasm coming right out of his mouth from the reading. Columbus describes the new lands he is seeing with emotion, and you can tell he is really moved by all they have to offer. He speaks about the extremely fertile lands, many harbors, beautiful mountains and "many rivers, good and large, which is marvelous." (pg. 26)

Jared, Liesette, and Connor

In the readings about Christopher Columbus there is nothing concrete that indicates Columbus’s views on Native Americans. There are only a few indications on how he may have viewed the Native Americans. The first being a statement that was made early in the introduction to Columbus that states, “Apparently friendly relations with the Taino Indians on the island of Hispaniola in 1492 turned sour as the settlers Columbus left behind demanded gold and sexual partners from their hosts” (P. 24-25). The same thing occurred when he left a second time after establishing a new settlement on the island. Columbus was able to create settlement on the island of Hispaniola and the readings have us believe that things were well on the island while Columbus was there. Only when he left the island did disorder and problems arise.

The second indication of Columbus’s views on Native Americans comes from the letter he sent to Luis de Santangel. In his letter Columbus writes, “And there I found very many islands filled with people innumerable, and of them all I have taken possession for their highnesses, by proclamation made and with the royal standard unfurled, and no opposition was offer to me” (P. 25). This statement makes us believe that Columbus had taken control over the island and that no one had opposed him. He was the ruler of the island and is governing under the royal standard. Columbus did what was best for Columbus. He took control over the Native Americans and then used them to his advantage. This was very apparent during his third voyage when he encountered hostile Spanish settlers and reached a truce by using the Taino Indians as leverage and making them Spanish slaves.

Thomas Harriot does not have a completely objective tone in his writing. His beliefs are shown when he talks about their technology compared to the Native Americans' and he goes on to write, "By so much the more is it probable that they should desire our friendship and love, and have the greater respect for pleasing and obeying us." (P. 38). He shows his belief that because they own things that the natives have never seen before the natives will see the colonists' superiority and become their servants. Another example of Harriot not being objective in his writing is when he mentions the Native Americans showing their appreciation for the Bible. He writes, "Yet would many be glad to touch it, to embrace it, to kiss it, to hold it to their breasts and heads, and stroke over all their body with it," (P. 40). Harriot is trying to spread the word of God as a part of his job and by writing this it shows he is doing an incredible job of changing the Native Americans to be followers of the new colonists.

Assignment 2.3, Jason R and Matt T

Columbus’ main reason for his voyages wasn’t religion, but you can tell religion was a big part of his life. He was always thanking God for what’s happening on his voyages. In his letter to Luis de Santangel he says “As I know that you will be pleased at the great victory with which Our Lord has crowned my voyage” (pg 25). When he finds the first island, he names it San Salvador which means “Holy Savior” (pg 25) to thank God. In his letter to Ferdinand and Isabella, when he sees other explorers going there to plunder he says “It is well to give to God that which is His due and to Caesar that which belongs to him”(27) or in other words, everything belongs to God. At the end of his letter to Ferdinand and Isabella, he feels like he has drifted from his religion and he’s afraid he will die before returning when he says “Here in the Indies I have become careless of the prescribed forms of religion. Alone in my trouble, sick, in daily expectation of death, and encompassed about by a million savages, full of cruelty and our foes, and so separated from the holy sacraments of Holy Church, my soul will be forgotten if it leaves my body.”(pg 28) He ends with, “May the Holy Trinity preserve your life and high estate, and grant you increase as prosperity.” (pg 28) it’s clear that he values religion and puts his life in God’s hands.

Cabeza de Vaca’s motivation to explore was based on an obligation to follow in his family and ancestors footsteps. He said "I can say for myself that I undertook the march abroad, on royal authorization, with a firm trust that my service would be as evident and distinguished as my ancestors" (page 30). As a boy, Cabeza de Vaca saw Columbus in chains returning from the new world which probably made an impression on him to want to explore. He also went to wars in Italy and fought in Spain which made him want something more. This was his reason for his voyage.

Cabeza views on Native Americans/Harriot’s views on New Lands By Jonathan & Jennifer

Cabeza De Vaca's Views on the Native Americans
In describing the Malhado way of life (pg 31), he talks of their eating habits and mourning rituals. He also describes in detail their dress and relationships between in laws. To me, this shows a keen interest in the people from a humanities standpoint. Not a work of someone who didn't have respect for the Natives. Cabeza De Vaca doesn't seem to have looked down on these peoples because of his genuine interest in their customs but he still sees them as uncivilized. In his report to Charles V. he describes: "The customs of the numerous, barbarous people I talked to and dwelt among." (pg 30)
Evidence of Cabeza de Vaca's respect for the Natives is compounded by his own incarceration resulting from his defense of the rights of American Indians. "Cabeza de Vaca had hoped to enact an enlightened American Indian policy, but his Rio De la Plata colonists, profiting from the old injustices, removed him forcibly from office and sent him in chains back to Spain in 1545." (pg 29) After his incarnation; Cabeza was exiled to Algeria forbidden to ever return to the Americas. It seems to me that Cabeza was a man of principle who had a deep respect for the American Indians.
Harriot's Views on the New Lands
Harriot had many different views and descriptions in his writings. Some seemed very factual, such as his descriptions of the Native American's clothing, weapons, towns, houses and government: "They are a people clothed with loose mantles made of deer skins......"pg 37, "Those weapons that they have are only bows made of witch hazel, and arrows of reeds......." pg 37, "Their towns are but small, and near the seacoast but few, some containing but ten or twelve houses........." pg 37-38, "Their houses are made of small poles" pgs 37-38, and "In some places of the country, one only town belongs to the government of a Wiroans or chief Lord."pg 38). Harriot seems almost impressed that these "savages" have adequate clothing, weapons and a sort of government. He even compares their houses to English arbors found in gardens (pg 38).
There are other areas of Harriot's writing that seem to have more of a righteous tone. He writes that Native Americans are a poor people, lacking in skill and knowledge of the Englishman's things: "In respect of us, they are poor people, and for want of skill........." (pg 38). He goes on to complement the Native American people, stating that they seem very ingenious: "....for although they have no such tools, .......such crafts, sciences, and arts as we, yet.,....they show excellence of wit." (pg 38) Harriot goes on to state that the Native American people will find the Englishman's knowledge and crafts exceed theirs in perfection and they will desire the Englishman's friendship and love. The Native Americans will have ".....greater respect for pleasing and obeying us......they may in short time be brought to civility, and the embracing of true religion." (pg 38) Harriot definitely had an ethnocentrist attitude toward the Native American people and his writings reflect his desire to bring his religion to these "savages".

Assignment 2.3 (Anna.D, Elizabeth G., Rachel)

After reading Columbus’ and Cabeza de Vaca’s story our group has come up with a few conclusions regarding the two men and their different views.

For Columbus, we believe that he felt his people were greedy. Columbus had worked hard and waited a long time for the King and Queen’s “ok” to take ships out to explore. He felt very, very blessed to have had their approval and was excited to sail to search for new land. Upon reading this we came across a first example as to where he began to think they were greedy. On pg. 24 into 25 of Norton’s text it reads, “His series of four voyages between 1492 and 1504 produced a brief moment of wonder followed by a long series of disasters and disappointments. Apparently friendly relations with the Taino Indians on the island of Hispaniola in 1492 turned sour as the settles Columbus left behind demanded gold and sexual partners from their hosts.” Columbus had to take the fall for all of the ‘series of disasters’ his people created along his journey.

Another example we had come across was from his letter to Ferdinand and Isabella Regarding the Fourth Voyage on pg 27. He is addressing the King and Queen and telling them how thankful he is to have let him depart on his voyage. He states, “Now all, down to the very tailors, seek permission to make discoveries. It can be believed that they go forth to plunder, and it is granted to them to do so, so that they greatly prejudice my honor and do very great damage to the enterprise.” He felt as if he was doing a good thing for his people- finding new land and leading them to new discoveries- yet they were taking advantage of it and he had to take the blame for their wrongdoings.

For Cabeza de vaca we believe that he felt as if he was the ONLY one fit to find anything new; he always had a say and felt that his decisions were always right. One of the reasons as to why Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca felt that he was always right, and was one of the best explorers was because of the reputation his family had. Cabeza de Vaca was born into a family with a history of achievement. Three of Cabeza de Vaca's relatives had significant roles in Spanish society and politics. One of his ancestors on his mother's side received the name "Cabeza de Vaca" when he was able to safely lead the way across a mountain using the skull of a cow in the war between Spain and the Moors. Also, when the Spaniards gained control of Grand Canary Island by defeating the Guanache people, it was Cabeza de Vaca's grandfather who was the man behind the operation. Finally, Cabeza de Vaca was the son of their village alderman.

Considering his family history, Cabeza de Vaca knew it would make a lot of sense for him to follow in the footsteps of his relatives by devoting his life to the service of his country. Cabeza de Vaca also had the advantage of his easily recognizable name that his country's people correlated to a national heroic figure. Because of his family’s history he was always trying to live up to his name and was very determined to follow his instincts. Another example we found was on pg. 30 of Norton’s text stating, “I can say for myself that I undertook the march abroad, on royal authorization, with a firm trust that my service would be as evident and distinguished as my ancestors.” He always had a firm view on things and felt his way was the right way- not only because of his personal motives but also because he felt he had to live up to his name.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Assignment 2.3 (Amy, Hiroe & Beth C.)

The views on new land according to Cabeza de Vaca were that of being poor and primitive. He did not seem to have a positive reaction to the Native Americans and the way that they live. He was writing to report back about they way of life but it was almost like he was making certain judgments. The examples of his view of the Native Americans was “their only weapons are bows and arrows” (pg. 31) and “three months out of every year they eat nothing but oysters and drink very bad water. Wood was scarce” (pg. 32). His examples on providing the idea that they are primitive are “the inhabitants of all these parts go naked, except that the women cover some part of their persons with a wool that grows on trees, and damsels dress in deerskin” (pg. 32) and he called them “barbarous people” (pg. 30).
Columbus had a very obvious motivation for exploration. He wanted to please King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella by telling them that his voyage was successful in finding new land. He was also tells his motivation to find new land in when he wrote “led me to pray your highnesses before I went to discover these islands and Terra Firma, that you would leave them to me to govern in your royal name” (pg. 27). Columbus wanted to be a leader of the new land. In order for him to get approval he needed the King and Queen to get the impression that the land was good by saying “This island and all the others are very fertile to a limitless degree, and this island is extremely so” (pg. 26).
The motivations and the views given by these two men may not be direct and clear. Once you understand their language and how they wrote, it is easier to read between the lines and find out what they were really after.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Assignment 1.7




In the stories we read there was creation and a lot of determination. As you see in this pictures this little tree is growing next to a bigger tree. This little tree represents the creation that happen in the stories and the determin it will need as it grows next to the mature tree, as what Juhwetamahkai and (the good mind) brother had; determination.


In the Pima creation story, Juhwetamahkai was determined to make the sun, by trying to create ice and put it in the sky, as said in the story, "he placed it in North, but it did not work; then he placed it in the West, but it did not work; then he placed it in the South, but it did not work; then he placed in the East and there it worked as he wanted it to" (Norton, 23). He kept trying until it worked; determination.


In the Iroquois creation story, the good mind was determined to create the world with or without his brother's (the bad mind) help, "the good mind was not contednted to remain in a dark situation, and he was anxious to create a great light in the dark world; but the bad mind was desirous that the world should remain in a natural state" (Norton, 19). In which he did so, but resulted in a fight to which led to his brother's death.

Assingnment 1.7


These stories all share similarities with there being light representing good and there being darkness representing bad. This image symbolizes the positive things happening in the process of creating earth and the negative. The left side of the picture represents the good things being created and the dark side of the world on the right. On the right side of the image there is simply no life, however the left side has a beautiful clear sky giving the earth some light. In the Biblical story of creation God created light for the daytime and darkness to signify night. The earth was empty and dark before God started his day by day creation. He created the sun, moon, and stars to lighten the world and to separate day from night. In the Iroquois creation there was a woman who gave birth to an evil twin and a good twin. The evil mind symbolizes the right side of the picture and the good mind symbolizes the left. The bad mind and the good mind fight for full responsibility of creating rights. The good mind defeated the bad mind after two days of fighting and alone became the creator of the earth. In the Pima stories Juhwertamahkai is the creator and represents the lightened side of the image while the problems he runs in to simplify the dark side. He tries and tries to successfully make humans but fails a total of three times. His fourth time was a success and the earth was created.

Creation Stories- Anna L. and Maria

In both of the Native American creation stories we read, there were many similar as well as differing themes. One similarity between both of them and the Biblical creation story is the use of the world being started out of the darkness. In the Iroquois creation story, the good mind is "anxious to create a great light in the dark world." On the other hand, the bad mind wished to remain in darkness. This is a good example of how the light vs. dark theme is parallel with the good vs. evil theme in each story. In the Pima creation story, the Doctor of the Earth wanders around in nothing, in darkness, "which was Darkness itself," and then creates the world. This is much like the Judeo-Christian creation story which begins with total darkness and only one spirit or person decides then to create the world. The fact that both Native American creation stories go into a lot of detail concerning how the celestial lights were made, suggests that the theme of dark vs. light is a very important one and has some significance.

In both stories of Iroquois and Pimas there was a similarity between good vs. evil. In the Iroquois story, the good brother wanted to create light and happiness in the world. However, the bad brother wanted to keep the dark and destroy what his brother had made. The bad brother wanted to fight with the good brother to see who the ruler of the world would be. In the Pimas story the creator would try inventing a world that he beleived was good. Multiple times things would happen to the people who lived in the world. First, too many people were in the world with not enough food so they resorted to eating one another. The creator hated the idea of this, and started a whole new world. Other things such as people smoking at a young age and greying too soon had happened. This picture shows the difficulties between Good vs. Evil because it shows the light of the good, and the dark of the evil.

This picture describes the internal battle that each mythical creator had to endure. The darkness off to the left represents defeat or pain, the right side is clear representing triumph, and the sun shining through is creator’s reactions to these internal endeavors
In the Iroquois mythical creation Enigorio (the good mind) portrays this image. The darkness on the left represents Enigorio’s brother Enigonhahetgea (the bad mind). His brother caused him a lot of setbacks and grief for he was trying to destroy his creation. The clear side represents the good minds successful creation of earth. Last, the sun shining through was Enigorio’s reaction to his brother’s protest; he agreed to fight till the death for triumph.

In the Pima mythical creation Juhwertamahkai ( doctor of the earth) portrays the image above. The darkness represents the internal battle he had faced from the failure of mankind. The clear side is the accomplishments he had made throughout the myth. Last, the sun represents his determination to create a mankind that would be expectable for his standers.

In the Biblical mythical creation God portrays the image above. The darkness represents the serpent deceiving Adam and Eve which forced God to punish the three of them. The clear side of the image represents the creation of earth making God feel good about his work. Last, the sun gleaming through was God’s decision to punish the fools who disobeyed his one and only rule.

http://www.landscapedvd.com/wallpaperblog/index.php/archives/93&usg

Source: www.marcinequenzer.com/creation.htm


Pima creation stories, Iroquois creation stories, and Biblical creation stories all have an element of good and evil in them. We chose this picture because we believe it gives numerous examples of the good and evil portrayed in the stories. The stories believe that man created the world and that females were made out of man. The picture portrays a strong man holding a hawk, a bird of prey, while of female is feminine, riding the wings of swans, birds of love.
Some other examples of good and evil in this picture are the light and dark clouds. All three stories talk about a world full of light, which is good, and a world of darkness, which is evil. Even in today’s world, we see sunlight as good and darkness as bad. The world needs a delicate balance of good and evil to sustain itself. Too much good can lead to bad and too much bad can lead to worse.
The animals in this picture represent good and evil also. We think of certain animals as being good and certain animals as being bad, just like people. Pima story of creation talks of Nooee, meaning the buzzard, having wings. When we think of a buzzard, we think of a large, black bird that preys on dead things. We tend to get an eerie feeling when we see them. The story also talks about a coyote which is the child of the sun and moon. When we think of a coyote, we usually think of a sacred, protected animal. The Iroquois creation story talks about a turtle. The turtle in the picture is part of the dark world that is appointed to carry the weight of the woman in return for earth. The turtle represents a strong, stable, but sly creature. In the Biblical creation, a serpent is talked about being evil and manipulating. The serpent is what enticed the woman to eat from the tree.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Assignment 1.7 Creation-Matt T.





http://files.myopera.com/damioon/blog/heaven_or_hell.jpg

The picture symbolizes the split between worlds created in each story. The darkness on the right is the symbol of the less appealing of the two worlds and the light on the left symbolizes the more appealing of the two worlds. This seperation seems to happen in all three creations when the creator seperates the good from the corrupt. The bright yellow ray of light symbolizes a clear split between the two worlds after the creation was complete.

In the Iroquois creation story, the good mind and bad mind created the earth and after the good mind overcame the bad mind, the bad mind sank down to eternal doom. This is the split symbolized by the light and dark side in the picture.

In the Pima’s story of creation, Juh-wert-a-Mah-kai (The Doctor of the Earth) created the earth. There is no discussion about him creating the heavens until the world becomes corrupt, and grey and old, and he makes the sky fall. After he makes the sky fall so he can start over with the creation of people it says he “made a new heaven and a new earth”. The creations of the heaven and the earth would be the split symbolized in the picture.

The biblical story immediately talks about how God created the heavens and the earth. After creating the heaven and earth he goes on to sculpt the earth and until it is good. Just like in the Pima’s story of creation, the heaven and the earth would be the two worlds seperated by the bright ray of light in the picture.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Assignment 1.7 Creation Stories - Connor, Elizabeth C., Anna

Source: http://crookedshore.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/creation-hands.jpg

The hands in the picture represent the hands of the creators from each of the creation stories. The Earth the hands are holding is what was created. The hands represent God in the Biblical creation, Enigorio or Enigonhahetgea in the Iroquois creation, and Juhwertamankai in the Pima creation.

The Sky Woman in the Iroquois creation story gave birth to the twins, Enigorio and Enigonhahetgea, who are responsible for creation of life on Earth. Enigorio (the good mind) created the sun, moon, stars, creeks, rivers, animals, fish, thunder, water, rain and Eagwehowe (the real people). Enigonhahetgea created the high mountains, great steeps, various reptiles, waterfalls and apes.

In the Pima creation story, Juhwertamankai is responsible for all the creation with the assistance of Nooee. Juhwertamankai (The Doctor of the Earth) created the greasy earth, Greasewood bush, ants, Nooee (the Buzzard), mountains, seed, sun, water, stars and man and woman. Nooee was asked to cut valleys in the mountains so the water would remain on Earth for the people to drink.

In the Biblical creation story there was darkness everywhere until God decided to create light. After that he made the sky, land and rivers, the sun and moon, animals, and then man. In all three creation stories the earth was created and formed by somebody and the hands represent those creators because we use our hands to create many things.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Welcome to our class blog!

This is the blog for our English 2011. To use it, you will need to set up a Google e-mail account. We will be using this blog for group work periodically during the class: posts by your small groups will be made here, and you'll comment on the work of other groups as well. Good luck and have fun!