At the risk of stating the obvious, wholesome, non-savage people don't sacrifice/murder and then scrape their victims' brains out of their skulls with mussel shells.
Anne Pemberton <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Doug,
Good questions. I want them to realize that the English were not the heroes
at that point in history. Without the Indians' help, they would have all
perished. I want them to see the Indians are wholesome people, worthy of
respect. Not "savages".
That is why I set the year at 1609, since Pocahontas would be older than the
reader, but not yet an adult. The readers of my story range from four year
olds, who have the stories read to them, to young teens who are slow at
learning to read. The most common ages are 7-10 for reading them on their
own.
Since you asked the questions this evening, I am thinking about 1607, the
summer before the Colonists arrive, and focus only on the daily life of the
Indians. But, then I can't make the points about the first colonists listed
above and below.
I just read an article on Powhatan Women by Helen Rountree at VCU, and
wonder if, since the Powhatans bathed daily, year round, if the colonists,
who if I remember my history well enough, bathed irregularly, smelled stinky
to the Indians. That would be a fun fact for kids to wrap their grins
around!
I do appreciate all the help as I develop this story. Already I know that
some things in my original plot will not work. I do want historical
accuracy, since kids get enough fiction from Disney, etal. But, I don't want
to write a text book, I want it to be a fun read.
Anne
Anne Pemberton
[log in to unmask]
http://www.erols.com/stevepem
http://www.erols.com/apembert
http://www.educationalsynthesis.org
----- Original Message -----
From: "Douglas Deal"
To:
Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2007 10:14 PM
Subject: Re: Native American Culture
> Anne:
>
> I see your point... I had misunderstood the basic "format" of the book.
> But there is still the question of verisimilitude. What is it that you
> want readers of your book to discover or understand about early Jamestown
> and the native inhabitants of the area? What sort of historical accuracy
> is necessary? What sort is unimportant?
>
> Doug
>
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