Similar Themes but Different Purposes in Travel Writing
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Travel writers or adventurers all write pieces that deal with the same premise: the discovery and experience of the New World. However, in their writing, it is evident that there is an ulterior motive in mind. These motives or purposes can be classified in two broad categories: to persuade people to come to the new world and to warn people of the dangers they may encounter in the new world. It is easy to explore these themes by paying particular attention a couple of notorious writers: Christopher Columbus, Bartolome De Las Casas, and John Smith.
When reading pieces by writers involved in the exploration and settlement on the new world, it is important to keep in mind the audience they were targeting. These pieces were not published in America, but rather were transmitted in Europe, published and read by a widespread European audience. Additionally, these travelers were paid by the government to propagandize the new world and entice readers to want to visit or settle there. With that in place, it is easy to understand how a major purpose for travel writers would be to advertise the new world.
Christopher Columbuss letters were considered one of the first reports of the New World. Columbus landed in the West Indies but thought that he was in India. He portrays his surroundings with a conquistador mentality, in that he says the people are savages, and he has taken command of them and they admire him greatly. In “Letter to Luis de Santagel Regarding the First Voyage”, he talks about the richness and beauty of the New World using very descriptive imagery and planting the picture of natural abundance in the readers mind. He describes the land, the mountains, the terrain, the animals, birds, and people in such a manner that it appears to be a type of Eden – where there is plenty for all, and anything is possible. With this visual marketing in his writing, Columbus is selling the new land to his audience back in cold crowded Europe: “Espanola is a marvel” (Columbus, 36)
Similarly, John Smith was also a travel writer. He was a self-educated man who was could truly be considered one of Americas first success stories. In “Description of New England”, Smith takes his knowledge of his audience and propagates the opportunities available in coming to America. He does this using a variety of stylistic methods such as using hyperboles, imagery, and asking rhetorical questions. He exaggerates the hope and opportunity available in the new world and at the same time diminishes the risks that may be associated with such an immense move. His imagery of the abundance of work for all types of jobs (farmers, hunters, merchants, etc) is vividly descriptive and presents a wealth of prospects. And his rhetorical questions make the reader desire to live his exciting novel life.
John Smiths audience, like Columbus, consists primarily of potential immigrants; and Smith knowing this tells his adventure stories in a way where the new land is interesting and exciting. The new land is a land of opportunity and the hope of a new and better life. Smith contrasts the established hierarchy of social status in England with the clean slate that is America. This can be seen when he claims that masters could have multiple apprentices, while in Europe they only have one or two. He remarks on the lack of liberty in England, while in America one is free to do as they like, whether it be in realm of career or religion. By doing less work in America, one will make more profit than by doing more labor in Europe. Not only is Smith openly persuading Anglican British citizens to immigrants to come to America, but he offers himself as their guide and protector, saying that he will come with, that he will help them. His writing is persuasive and insistent, wiping away any complaints or resistance that may be brought against his argument.
Yet when looking at other pieces of writing by John Smith, there is an evident discordant theme to them. In “General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles”, Smith describes the dangers of the new world. His purpose seems to be self-promoting of his own heroics, and also to tell of the reality of what could wait for immigrants. He discusses the deaths on the journey over to America, and the starvation that faced the immigrants when settled on the new land. His stories of his imprisonment with the natives are descriptive and he portrays them as dangerous and capable of anything. His adventure story is full of suspense: will Smith be killed by the wild savages or will he be celebrated as a deity for his knowledge and modern tools.
A previously mentioned author also changes his purpose when faced with a different situation. Christopher Columbus in his “Letter to Ferdinand and Isabella Regarding the Fourth Voyage” describes the new world as treacherous and completely devoid of wealth and opportunity. Columbus writes this letter about ten years after his first describing the beauty of the new world. He writes to the rulers of Spain with multiple related purposes: hes pleading his case against charges of treason; he is begging for mercy and money; and hes asking for pity in his miserable state. According to Columbus, by the allowance of anyone (even court tailors) to travel to the New World, it has