Mary Rowlandson Captivity Narrative Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does Mary Rowlandson say that she always intended to do if Native Americans attacked?

She says she would rather be killed than taken alive.

Why did she change her mind?

She was too frightened by the sight of weapons to resist capture.

What was Mary Rowlandson's greatest concern at the beginning of her captivity?

Taking care of her wounded child.

What experience does Mary Rowlandson have with Metacom (Philip)?

Metacom (Philip) pays Mary a shilling to sew a shirt for his child. Signup and view all the answers

What impression of him does this episode convey?

This conveys that Metacom (Philip) is human. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Indians generally treat Mary Rowlandson?

They treated her as if she were one of their possessions. Signup and view all the answers

What consumed most of Mary Rowlandson's time on a day-to-day basis?

She was consumed with ways to find food. Signup and view all the answers

When Mary Rowlandson first finds her son, what does she find him doing?

Mary finds her son praying; he is pretending to be asleep. Signup and view all the answers

What might this episode suggest about the attitude of the Wampanoag?

Wampanoag frowned on display of piety by captives. Signup and view all the answers

During Mary Rowlandson's captivity, with whom and where did she live?

She lived several places with several families. Signup and view all the answers

How does Rowlandson portray her captors?

Mary resents being denied adequate food; she also is upset about the lack of care for her children. Signup and view all the answers

Mary Rowlandson gives credit of her survival to whom?

She gives God all credit. Signup and view all the answers

What qualities or behaviors help Rowlandson survive her ordeal?

She is strong, possibly because of her religious faith. She thinks of her predicament as God's will. Signup and view all the answers

What effect do you think this type of literature might have had on the colonists' attitude and policies regarding Native Americans?

Such accounts may have deepened settlers' mistrust of Native Americans and led to harsh policies. Signup and view all the answers

What are some reasons for her biblical allusions?

She uses biblical allusion to create power imagery and to stress God's providence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of her allusion to the book of Job?

It emphasizes her suffering. Signup and view all the answers

What does her account of her time as a prisoner show about the life of the Wampanoag?

The war was brutal and the settlers were vulnerable. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'desolation' mean?

Devastation, misery; sadness. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'daunt' mean?

To overcome with fear; intimidate. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'compassion' mean?

Deep awareness of another's suffering with a desire to help. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'discern' mean?

To recognize as different and distinct; distinguish. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'lament' mean?

To express deep sorrow or grief. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mary Rowlandson's Captivity

Prefers death over capture by Native Americans, highlighting her fierce independence.
Initially froze in fear at the sight of weapons, hindering her ability to escape.
Concern for her wounded child was her primary focus during the early days of captivity.

Interaction with Metacom (Philip)

Received a shilling from Metacom to sew a shirt for his child, illustrating a rare moment of interaction.
This encounter humanizes Metacom, portraying him as a figure capable of kindness and normalcy.

Treatment and Daily Struggles

Generally treated as property by her captors, reflecting their view of her as a possession rather than a person.
Constantly preoccupied with finding food, indicating the basic survival challenges she faced daily.
Witnessed her son praying and pretending to sleep, showcasing a poignant moment of family connection.

Cultural Insights and Perceptions

Wampanoag disdain for the display of piety among captives suggests a complex perspective on religious expressions.
Lived with multiple families in various locations, adapting to changes in her environment throughout captivity.
Rowlandson's portrayal of captors is mixed; she resents the inadequate food and care for her children yet acknowledges acts of kindness.

Faith and Survival

Attributes her survival to divine intervention, emphasizing her strong religious beliefs.
Resilience characterized by viewing her circumstances as God’s will helped her endure hardships.

Impact of Captivity Narratives

Captivity narratives like Rowlandson's contributed to settler mistrust of Native Americans and justified harsh policies against them.
Uses biblical allusions to amplify her narrative's powerful imagery and signify divine providence throughout her ordeal.
Allusion to the book of Job serves to emphasize her suffering, drawing parallels between her trials and biblical themes.

Context of the Wampanoag War

Her account underscores the brutality of the war, revealing the vulnerabilities faced by both settlers and Native Americans.

Vocabulary Terms

Desolation: Signifies widespread devastation and sadness, conveying the emotional landscape of captivity.
Daunt: Represents the overwhelming fear and intimidation experienced by captives.
Compassion: Acknowledges the emotional burden of awareness and desire to alleviate others' suffering.
Discern: Refers to the ability to recognize differences, particularly in attitudes and behaviors.
Lament: Expresses deep sorrow and grief, central to understanding the emotional weight of captivity.

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Description

Test your understanding of Mary Rowlandson's captivity narrative through these flashcards. Explore her thoughts and feelings during her experience with Native Americans. This quiz focuses on key points related to her perspective and actions in the narrative.