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Meg Strauss
Nancy Henke
American Literature 270
February 17th, 2016
Prompt Number Two

A popular captivity narrative, A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary

Rowlandson by Mary Rowlandson, is a perfect example of a nonfictional piece that should be

read as literature, rather than being viewed exclusively through a historical lens. Rowlandson

uses classic writing techniques, such as story-telling, imagery, drama, and emotion, in her

personal account to portray her story in a more traditional literary format. The artistic quality that

is present in Rowlandsons work, as well as in other nonfictional American historical accounts,

would likely be overlooked if solely read as history. However, by reading historical content as

literature, a reader is presented with a much fuller picture of American literature.

In order to fully understand the significance of reading Rowlandsons historical account

as literature, one must first grasp the difference between literature and history. Websters

dictionary defines literature as written works, such as poetry, plays, and novels, that are

considered to be very good and has lasting importance, while the term history is defined as to be

a whole series of events connected with someone or something (Websters Dictionary).

It is clear that these two definitions have no obvious similarities. However, if one looks at

these terms through a literary analysis, one can see that these two terms can find common ground

through writing. For instance, Rowlandsons piece links the two words by providing historical

recounts, as well as making her writing very good and have lasting importance. Rowlandson

also makes her writing fit into the literature definition by using common literacy techniques

viewed more in traditional literatures, such as in poetry, plays, and novels.

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For instance, the concept of Rowlandsons account being deemed as proper literature is

first seen when she starts to use a story-telling technique. In most fictional and traditional

literature, story-telling is a key element. Through using this technique, the reader becomes more

engaged in the story due to the fact that they become invested in the events happening.

Rowlandson uses a typical story-telling technique by writing most of her account in

chronological order.

In the first remove, the text reads, On the tenth of February 1675, came the Indians with

great numbers upon Lancaster: their first coming was about sun rising; hearing the noise of some

guns, we looked out; several houses were burning, and the smoke ascending to heaven

(Rowlandson, 127). This quote truly sets up the entire rest of the story. Rowlandson indulges in

this technique by allowing the reader to know when this is happening, where this is happening,

and what is occurring. After providing this information in the beginning, much like a traditional

story, the reader becomes anxious to see what will happen next. It is easy for the reader to

become hooked to this story if they are constantly kept on their toes. This is very similar to the

idea that most readers are reeled into traditional literature within the first few sentences.

Another important literary technique Rowlandson uses is that of imagery. Imagery is

essentially visual words used to thoroughly describe a literacy character or event. Imagery is

seen in mass amounts of traditional literature works because readers want to be able to accurately

depict what is going on in the text.

An example of imagery in the text is shown when Rowlandson writes, They would pick

up old bones, and cut them to pieces at the joints, and if they were full of worms and maggots,

they would scald them over the fire to make the vermin come out, and then boil them, and drink

up the liquor (Rowlandson 38). In this quote, Rowlandson is referring to the simple act of how
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Native Americans eat and drink. This is not only an important amount of information

historically, but the imagery present in this quote is quite beautiful from a literary viewpoint. In

these words describing the Native Americans, the reader is provided with a very descriptive and

vivid image of what Rowlandson has witnessed. By making this account so colorful, it becomes

yet another instance of how Rowlandsons writing surpasses that of just historical content.

One of the most important elements in traditional literature is that of entertainment. For

most readers, entertainment relates directly back to the theme of drama. Drama grabs the readers

attention and makes it hard for them to become bored with the text. In Rowlandsons narrative,

she provides drama by stating, My mistress, before we went, was gone to the burial of a

papoose, and returning, she found me sitting and reading in my Bible; she snatched it hastily out

of my hand, and threw it out of the doors (Rowlandson 134). By adding this drama between her

and her mistress, the historical aspect does not seem so strong. For instance, when many think

purely of history, they do not imagine a clichd girl-fight. However, when they think of

literature, girl-fights are almost expected. Describing this drama clearly makes the narrative lean

more towards a literary plot in comparison to a remembrance of a historical event.

The last, and perhaps most clear, traditional literary characteristic Rowlandson uses in her

writing is that of emotion. Literature tends to provoke strong emotion in the reader, and

Rowlandson does that continuously through her account. One of the most emotional

recollections in the story is when Rowlandson describes the death of her baby girl. The text

reads, I cannot but take notice how at another time I could not bear to be in the room where any

dead person was, but now the case is changed; I must and could lie down by my dead babe, side

by side all the night after (Rowlandson 132). This quote describes a mother cradling her dead

child. To the average reader, this would ignite the senses, which is a common reaction in most
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literary pieces. By reading this quote through solely a historical lens, the emotion is not fully

captured, which is truly essential to the story as well as the historical event.

In order to better understand American literature, one needs to read historical content as

proper literature. Some arguers against this state that history cannot be literature. However, Mary

Rowlandsons account of her captivity proves the naysayers wrong. Rowlandson provides a

visual, dramatic, and emotional story that just so happens to depict a real event. Understandably,

historical content can be deemed as being bland. Thus, reading historical content through a

literary lens allows a reader to comprehend American literature in a fuller and more colorful

manner.

Works Cited
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Rowlandson, Mary. A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson. 8th

ed. Vol. 1. New York: Norton, 2013. 126-43. Print.

Webster's Dictionary. Larchmont, NY: Book Essentials, 1975. Print.