POCAHONTAS: HER LAST REFLECTIONS
By Angie Reed
Links by Dana Walter
Pocahontas, the famed Native American princess of the Powhatan Renape Nation, is a historical figure most children can identify. Due to the Walt Disney movie romanticizing a few supposed events in her life, there is a generation of children (and their parents) who think that Pocahontas received sage advice from a tree and could paint with all the colors of the wind. Chief Roy Crazy Horse of the Powhaten Renape Nation has publicly challenged Disney's version of Pocahontas' life and supplied, via the internet, a more accurate rendition of her history. The following story is historical fiction based on Chief Roy Crazy Horse's research into the real life of the beloved Pocahontas. As the story opens, we see Pocahontas near the end of her life, reflecting upon its events with her husband, John Rolfe.
I'm in the room in Gravesend, England where I will spend the remainder of my days until the Lord takes me to heaven. It's a dark room, quiet with a comfortable bed and a rocking chair. The doctor, who has been good enough to check on my daily progress, has just left the room to have a word with my husband, John. After listening to the whispers beyond the door for a moment, I drift off to sleep.
When I waken, I notice my husband asleep in the rocking chair; he is a good man and we have been blessed with a son, Thomas. My body is suddenly racked with the coughing of the pneumonia that has plagued me since we attempted our return to Virginia. Although we had a wonderful seven month stay in England, I was looking forward to returning home and visiting my people. When I fell ill on the ship, I knew I would never see my homeland again. John was hopeful that the doctor here in Gravesend would be able to heal me, but it soon became apparent to all concerned that these would be my dying days. Although I am only a woman of twenty-one years, I am not afraid to die--all must die--and I believe I will go to heaven when my life is completed. John is stirring in the chair; my coughing having wakened home from his fitful slumber.
"Rebecca," he calls to me, "Would you like me to get you some tea?"
"Yes, thank you," I answer, "That may help stifle this horrible cough."
As John leaves the room for the tea, I wonder at our unique relationship. Being kidnapped by the English living in Virginia in 1612 was pure betrayal. I had helped them for several years, saving them from death, famine, and utter confusion. John Rolfe was the singular light during my captivity. He took a special interest in me and we fell in love. Although my marriage to John was part of the conditions of my release, I had already enjoyed relative freedom within the settlement and told my brothers that the colonists treated me well. While living in the settlement, I attended classes in Christian Faith and converted to Christianity. Shortly before John and I were married, I was baptized and christened "Rebecca". Rebecca is actually the third name I've had, although most people knew me only as Pocahontas prior to my christening. My birth name was Matoaka, but the nickname "Pocahontas", which means "playful, frolicsome girl", soon became the name by which most of my people knew me.
"Here's your tea, Rebecca, "says John as he enters the room. "You look so distant, were you thinking about Virginia?"
"Yes," I answer, taking the warm, fragrant cup. "I was thinking about home and our happy years we've had together. Is Thomas still with the nurse?"
"He is; I will let him come in for a few minutes this evening before he goes to bed."
"Good, he is such a wonderful child; at least he will live. John, have you heard any more from Captain John Smith since we saw him in London?"
"I have only heard that he continues to circulate his story of how you saved his life from execution at the hand of your father."
"John, I don't understand why he would tell such lies."
"He is an evil man, always looking for a way to turn the public attention to himself. Do not fear, it is not likely that anyone will believe such a tale."
"I know," I reply, " The truth will be revealed."
Pocahontas died of either pneumonia or tuberculosis at the age of twenty-one in Gravesend, England. She was married to John Rolfe, whom she met while living in captivity on a Virginia settlement. She converted to Christianity and was christened "Rebecca". John and Rebecca Rolfe had one son, Thomas. Pocahontas died with ill feelings toward her former friend Captain John Smith because of the lies he had told in England about events in their relationship.
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COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. To what Native American Nation did Pocahontas belong?
2. What three names did Pocahontas have during her lifetime?
3. How did Pocahontas' real life differ from the Disney movie?
4. Why wasn't Pocahontas afraid to die?
5. How did Pocahontas meet her husband?
6. If you were Pocahontas, how would you respond to Captain John Smith's story of your heroics?
7. Name one of Pocahontas' character qualities and give an example from the story in which she displays that character quality.
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OUTLINE FOR STORY TELLING
I. Introduce Pocahontas
A. Myths about Pocahontas
B. The real Pocahontas
II. Pocahontas' last days
A. Her trip to England and fatal illness
B. memories of her husband, son, and life with the settlers
C. Her displeasure about Captain John Smith's account of his "rescue"
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PROPS
1. Bring in pictures of the real Pocahontas and Captain John Smith and of the Disney counterparts for comparison and discussion.
2. If you are a female, dress in traditional Native American clothes --pretend you are Pocahontas.
3. If you are a male, dress in traditional Native American clothes--pretend you are a representative from the Powhatan Renape Nation.
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ANSWERS TO COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1.Pocahontas belonged to the Powhatan Renape Nation.
2. Pocahontas' three names were Matoaka, Pocahontas, and Rebecca Rolfe.
3. Pocahontas' life was very different from the Disney movie; she was not romantically linked with Captain John Smith and did not save his life from execution. Pocahontas was kidnapped, lived in captivity, became a Christian, married John Rolfe, and bore a son. Pocahontas was considered to be a princess and traveled to England where she died at a young age.
4. Pocahontas wasn't afraid to die because she knew that "all must die" and also because she was a Christian.
5. Pocahontas met her husband, John Rolfe, while she was living as a captive in the Virginia settlement.
6. If I were Pocahontas, I would be very angry at Captain John Smith for lying about me and would write him a letter asking him to stop telling lies.
7. One of the character qualities Pocahontas displays is her faith. Although she wasn't raised in a Christian home, Pocahontas converted to Christianity as an adult and faced her death fearlessly.
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SOURCES
1. http://www.apva.org/history/pocahont.html
2.http://www10.geocities.com/Broadway/1001/poca.html
3.http://www.powhatan.org/pocheritage.html
4. http://www.insiders.com/williamsburg/sb1-nativeculture.htm
5.http://www.powhatan.org/pocc.html
6. Jacobson, Daniel. "Pocahontas", Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc. 1993.