The Double Life of Pocahontas

1. Pocahontas: A Bridge Between Worlds

Pocahontas was permitted to move freely between the Indian and the white worlds, and her life seemed perfect.

A unique position. Pocahontas, daughter of Chief Powhatan, occupied a rare space between the Powhatan tribe and the English settlers. Her initial interactions with the colonists were marked by curiosity and a genuine attempt to foster understanding. This unique position allowed her to act as a mediator, facilitating trade and communication between the two vastly different cultures.

Early life and happiness. As a child, Pocahontas enjoyed a privileged status within her tribe, being her father's favorite. She reveled in the natural world, participating in tribal customs and ceremonies. Her early encounters with the English were characterized by a sense of wonder and a desire to learn about these newcomers.

Idealistic beginnings. The initial interactions between Pocahontas and the English, particularly Captain John Smith, suggested a possibility for peaceful coexistence. She saw Smith as a "brother" and genuinely believed in the potential for harmony between her people and the settlers. This early period of her life seemed to promise a future where she could bridge the gap between two worlds.

2. Cultural Misunderstandings and Colonial Ambitions

Naked savages, they would have said—they were like herds of deer. How could they legally own land?

Clash of perspectives. The English settlers viewed the indigenous population as "savages," lacking the sophistication and civilization of European society. This perception justified their claim to the land, disregarding the established rights and customs of the Powhatan people. The English believed they were bringing civilization and Christianity to a "wasteful" land.

Motivations and directives. The English colonists were driven by a desire for wealth, primarily gold, and a shortcut to the Pacific Ocean. They were also instructed to convert the natives to Christianity and establish profitable trade relations. These directives, however, were often at odds with the reality of their interactions with the Powhatan people.

Ignorance and arrogance. The English settlers often failed to understand or respect the Powhatan culture, viewing it as inferior to their own. This arrogance led to misunderstandings and conflicts, undermining any genuine attempts at peaceful coexistence. Their insistence on imposing their own values and beliefs on the native population created a climate of distrust and resentment.

3. John Smith's Influence and the Clash of Civilizations

Gentleness was not the way to deal with them, he said. The English should show strength; they should rely on fear, not love, to keep peace.

Smith's approach. Captain John Smith, a key figure in the Jamestown settlement, advocated for a policy of strength and fear in dealing with the natives. He believed that gentleness would be perceived as weakness and that only a show of force could maintain order. This approach contrasted sharply with Pocahontas's desire for peaceful coexistence.

Capture and "rescue." Smith's capture by the Powhatan tribe and his subsequent "rescue" by Pocahontas became a pivotal moment in the narrative. While the details of this event are debated, it solidified Pocahontas's image as a savior and a bridge between the two cultures. However, it also set the stage for future conflicts and misunderstandings.

Diverging paths. Despite their initial connection, Smith and Pocahontas represented fundamentally different approaches to the colonial encounter. Smith's focus on dominance and control clashed with Pocahontas's desire for understanding and harmony. This divergence ultimately contributed to the breakdown of peaceful relations between the English and the Powhatan.

4. Kidnapping and Forced Assimilation

But soon there was trouble. Pocahontas was kidnapped by the settlers, who forced her to live like a white woman.

Betrayal of trust. Pocahontas's kidnapping by the English settlers marked a turning point in her life and in the relationship between the two cultures. This act of betrayal shattered the trust that had been built and demonstrated the colonists' willingness to exploit and manipulate the native population for their own gain.

Loss of freedom. As a captive, Pocahontas was forced to abandon her traditional way of life and adopt English customs. She was pressured to dress in English clothing, learn the English language, and convert to Christianity. This forced assimilation stripped her of her cultural identity and autonomy.

Political leverage. The English held Pocahontas hostage to pressure her father, Chief Powhatan, into meeting their demands. They sought the return of stolen weapons and English captives, as well as a guarantee of peace. This manipulation of Pocahontas as a political pawn further eroded the possibility of genuine reconciliation.

5. Conversion, Marriage, and a New Identity

At her baptism, she was required to renounce Okee, to declare that all her former beliefs were false and evil; hard as it may have been, she said what she was supposed to.

Religious transformation. During her captivity, Pocahontas underwent religious instruction and eventually converted to Christianity. She was baptized and given the name Rebecca, symbolizing her new identity as an English Christian. This conversion was likely influenced by a combination of genuine belief and the pressures of her captivity.

Marriage to Rolfe. Pocahontas's marriage to John Rolfe, a tobacco planter, further solidified her integration into English society. This union was seen as a symbol of peace and cooperation between the two cultures. However, it also represented a complete departure from her traditional Powhatan life.

Symbol of assimilation. As Rebecca Rolfe, Pocahontas became a symbol of the English colonial project. She was presented as an example of a "civilized" Indian, demonstrating the potential for assimilation and the success of English cultural influence. This portrayal, however, obscured the complexities and sacrifices of her personal journey.

6. England's Display of a "Royal Savage"

The English might look down on Indians as “savages,” but they were crazy about the idea of “royal savages,” and Bermuda didn’t have a single royal savage to its name.

Propaganda tool. Pocahontas's visit to England was orchestrated as a propaganda tour to promote the Virginia colony and attract further investment. She was presented as a "royal savage," a princess who had embraced English civilization and Christianity. This image was used to counter negative perceptions of the colony and to encourage further colonization.

Cultural spectacle. Pocahontas's presence in English society was a source of fascination and curiosity. She was paraded through social events, meeting royalty and dignitaries. This spectacle, however, often reduced her to a mere object of display, stripping her of her agency and individuality.

Conflicting expectations. While the English celebrated Pocahontas's conversion and assimilation, they also struggled to reconcile her "savage" origins with her newfound status. This tension created conflicting expectations and pressures, further complicating her already complex identity.

7. A Premature Death and Lasting Legacy

At the age of twenty-one Pocahontas died and was buried in the country she had lived in less than a year but had not wanted to leave.

Illness and departure. As Pocahontas prepared to return to Virginia, she fell ill and died at the young age of twenty-one. Her death cut short her journey and left a void in the already fragile relationship between the English and the Powhatan.

Unfulfilled potential. Pocahontas's death represented a loss of potential for cross-cultural understanding and reconciliation. Her unique position as a bridge between two worlds was never fully realized, and her story remains a poignant reminder of the complexities and tragedies of the colonial encounter.

Enduring symbol. Despite her short life, Pocahontas has become an enduring symbol in American history and popular culture. She is often romanticized as a figure of peace and goodwill, but her story also serves as a reminder of the injustices and cultural clashes that marked the early years of colonization.

8. The Inevitable Conflict and Dispossession

They were pushed back and pushed back until no room was left for them.

Failed assimilation. The English attempts to assimilate the Powhatan people ultimately failed, leading to increased tensions and conflict. The imposition of English customs and beliefs, coupled with the settlers' insatiable desire for land, created an environment of resentment and resistance.

Opechancanough's uprising. Following Powhatan's death, his brother Opechancanough led a major uprising against the English settlers in 1622. This attack resulted in the deaths of hundreds of colonists and marked a turning point in the relationship between the two cultures.

Dispossession and displacement. The English response to the uprising was brutal, leading to the further dispossession and displacement of the Powhatan people. The colonists waged war against the natives, driving them from their ancestral lands and decimating their population. The story of Pocahontas ultimately underscores the tragic consequences of colonization and the loss of indigenous cultures.

Last updated: March 14, 2025