8. Compare Philbrick's portrayals of natives in Mayflower with the ways in which they have been represented in popular culture, for instance, in Hollywood movies. How does Mayflower encourage us to rethink those representations? On the other hand, are there some popular images of Native Americans that seem to be somewhat rooted in what actually happened in the seventeenth century?
One aspect of Native Americans Philbrick points out that is often lost to popular culture is something that I can hardly put words to, but it would best be described as their method of conducting themselves. To an outsider, it could almost seem conniving. For example, the Indians would abandon their sachem if he proved to be weak or not fulfill the wishes of his people, much unlike the English notion of loyalty. Squanto's attempted coup against Massasoit, and similar attempts by others, are also examples of the Indian's different method of politics. Squanto slyly turned everyone against each other without ever lifting a finger and this seemed to be a common method of gaining power in the Indian world. Also, the Indians of the Northeast did not live in teepees; rather, they made their dwellings, called wigwams, out of trees.
As with many ridiculous things, popular culture has shreds of truth in it. For example, the Indians did actually paint their faces and participate in war dances, and they also relied on the predictions of shamans, or "powwows" to make decisions. Another aspect of Indian culture highlighted in movies and books is the scalping of war victims, which also actually occurred.
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