500 Word Essay: Is Bradford's story a Mortality Tale?

I would say yes, because the English/Indians are portrayed as bad guys, while the Separatists are painted as helpless victims. The English are controlling religious fanatics who believe everyone should attend the Church of England. They travel to Plymouth and the new world, with grand hopes of freedom and a fresh start. They are seeking religious freedom and a better home and environment for their children and grand-children. So great is their desire, that they are willing to risk their very lives on this dangerous voyage. This Pilgrims head out on this unpredictable journey, unbeknownst to the perils and pain they will face.

They take everything they own with them, all their belongings, with their hopes, dreams, and plans. However, they encounter many problems along the many, with many of their travelers dying from disease and fatigue. Upon arriving, they must build a new settlement from scratch and learn to survive in a budding territory. They meet Squanto, who seems friendly enough at first and teaches them how to hunt and fish. But it turns out he has his own personal motives, behind his facade of generosity and kindness. The Indians carry rampant health problems with them, which causes more of the Pilgrims to die.

Wallowing in sorrow and misery, the Pilgrims's life is one of sadness and despair for much of their time in this colony. Between trying to survive disease, starvation, exhaustion, and turmoil, they are thoroughly worn out and miserable. It would be safe to assume there were times they wondered if they were better off in England. Yet there were some that survived these perilous conditions and increasing troublesome times. If it weren't for Squanto, there wouldn't have been a single one of them still alive. After such a brutal, merciless winter, it was a wonder that they hadn't all perished from starvation.


Thanks to his wisdom and knowledge, the Pilgrims knew how to be self-reliant and hunt/garden for their own food. He instructed them in planting corn and fishing, so they wouldn't die during the excruciatingly long winter. Although these actions were worth noting, Squanto's intent in them was only to get in the good graces of the Pilgrims. He didn't want them to turn against him and his tribe, so he attempted to impress them with his skills.


Therefore, in conclusion I would say that this is a tale of mortality. The Pilgrims are painted in shades of innocence, nobility, and bravery. They are vulnerable targets of King James II, a tyrant and absolute monarch. He deprives them of their freedoms in religion, speech, and free thought. Because of his unfair treatment, they must leave their home country and may never see their relatives/friends again. Then, upon arriving, they only have more pain and heartbreak, losing many of their peers to disease or starvation.

They spend many years trying to make a life in America, by sheer determination and an iron-will to persevere/conquer the imposing difficulties. Their courage and ability to still be strong after all this is quite admirable.