"The Savages of America"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how Robert Rogers' play, "Ponteach: Or, the Savages of America", tells an illuminating story of relations between the Indians of America and their English occupiers. It looks at how in a remarkably progressive feat, Rogers condemns the despicable and dishonorable practices of the English while painting a more realistic picture of the Indians. It also discusses how, in a defiant turn from popular practice and opinion, Rogers quite consciously argues the similarities between the Indians and English while criticizing his own culture's shameful hypocrisy and trickery.

From the Paper:

"While the themes of pride and savagery can only be applied to the Indians and the British, respectively, malicious accusations rain on the shoulders of both parties. In the third act, Monelia tells of her British fiancee who showered her with fine words and promises of committal before being rebutted for "ask[ing] to stain [her] Virtue" (III i). The rebutted fiancee calls Monelia a "proud Bitch" and "pray'd Heav'n to blast [her] Soul", and then "bid [her] begone in Haste/ Without the smallest Mark of his Affection" (ibid). This view of Monelia's is to represent the view Indian women take of English men: corrupt, flattering, false, venomous and ignoble."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Rogers, Robert. Ponteach: Or, the Savages of America. London: J. Millan, 1766.
• Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Toronto: Oxford UP, 1987.

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