Reading Guide for John Smith


Common Vocabulary:

calumniator dissimulation mollify penury
superfluity buckler magniminity  

Cultural References:

shallop bark [not referring to a tree] pinnace Okee
pocones adventurer [not referring to a mountain climber]   vambrace


From The General History of Virginia. . . .

Why was Smith, a farmer's son and an apprenticed shopkeeper, considered to be an especially good addition to the colony? Looking for specific biographical information.
What was the name of the settlement founded on the coast of what is NC in 1607 which Smith helped organize and defend?
During his voyage back to England and after the establishment of the settlement, Smith was sleeping on deck when someone pulled a vicious "prank" on him. What was this "prank."
What was one thing Governor Wingfield did which showed he was cowardly and corrupt?
How were they treated by the Natives when they went on their first expedition, when Smith and his men wanted to trade for food?
In an Indian battle during his second expedition, what did Smith use as a shield while defending himself in the swamp?
What was strange about the way he was treated by the natives? Made it difficult to tell their exact intentions toward him.
What "seed" brought by Smith did the Natives want to learn to grow?

What did Smith trade for his freedom and for the land around the Jamestown area?
What do kings do for themselves?  Do you think Smith admires or sneers at this in his narrative?
Note the typological statements below the verse on page 112.
Who is responsible for "mollifying" the barbarians?
How did they make it through the rest of the year, after he regained his freedom?


From A Description of New England

A difficult piece to read.

What's the most satisfying thing a poor man can do?
What's the most satisfying thing a faithful (religious) man can do?
The first paragraph describes the positive benefits of going to America. The second paragraph describes the negatives of staying in England.
What kind of depressing things are folks back in England bound into?
Why do English children come to wish their parents dead? (Idea repeated in paragraph 2 and 3).
What is it better for a gentleman to do than to beg for the King's generosity? (End of paragraph 3).
Page 116: Smith says that not only to you pull up fish with your line, but at the same time, pull up what?
What else does Smith promise the honest working man if they join him in New England?
Who, according to Smith himself, is Smith trying to persuade?

From New England's Trials

Why not and why did the Natives massacre Virginia settlers in 1622?
So few settlers were recruited by the Company that they had to get permission from the King to do WHAT? What did some of those chosen to go choose to do instead?
What famous Native of New England did Smith's partner kidnap and plan to sell into slavery?
Describe the progress made by the New England settlers by 1622 when this piece was written?
What one thing could the investors in Plymouth colony send the settlers which would have been most useful?