Discussion Questions
September 18, 2001
- According to Anderson, what was the relationship of the colonist to
natives in New England? Why should there be conflict between the two
groups, and what was the basis of that conflict?
- Beyond the colonist/native relationship, what details about colonial
life can we glean from the article?
- How does the depiction of the natives by Wood and Morton fit with that
of Anderson? How do the two writers depict A) the natives themselves,
and B) the native/colonist relationship?
- What are the significant "details of life" which we can take
from the writings by Pond, Hilton, de Rasieres, and the School Laws
concerning New England? (Note: this is something which you
should be doing with all the readings this term - reading not just for the
basic argument of each, but at the same time putting together a
comprehensive composite picture of colonial life. In doing so be
certain to pay attention to not only what is similar but also what is
different, and in particular anchoring your depictions in time and place in
colonial America.)