Emig Rowlandson Blog

            

In The Narrative of the Captivity and the Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, Rowlandson overcomes an extremely difficult and personal journey of self-discovery, strength, and unshaken faith in God. Several times throughout the narrative, Rowlandson reveals her attitude towards her Indian captors. In the first three removes, she refers to her captors by several different derogatory names: “barbarous creatures,” “black creatures,” and “pagans (merciless enemies).” Early on in her captivity, Rowlandson begins forming opinions that will come to dominate how she sees the savage people, who have robbed her of everything. In the third remove, Rowlandson cries out in disgust of the savages’ treatment of dead Englishmen, “Oh, the hideous insulting and triumphing that there was over some Englishmen's scalps that they had taken (as their manner is) and brought with them.” Our class notes discuss the sharp contrast between the captive Christian and the pagan Indian—this quotation brings this contrast to life. As Christians, Rowlandson has been taught to love and care for life, and is both outraged and appalled by this disrespect and mistreatment of her fellow Christians’ bodies.

            In the eighth remove, Rowlandson finally is reunited with her son, who also resides in captivity. She asks her son if he has been keeping up with his Scriptures. The following is a passage from the captivity narrative that reveals both the toils of Christian suffering and the promise of salvation, not just for Rowlandson, but also for all Christians. Rowlandson’s son starts, “Look here, mother," says he, "did you read this?" And here I may take occasion to mention one principal ground of my setting forth these lines: even as the psalmist says, to declare the works of the Lord, and His wonderful power in carrying us along, preserving us in the wilderness, while under the enemy's hand, and returning of us in safety again. And His goodness in bringing to my hand so many comfortable and suitable scriptures in my distress.” This passage, though in the midst of suffering, trials and tribulations, is one that rejoices in the promise of salvation. Salvation through the Scriptures was the principle understanding for Puritans travelling to the New World. The Scriptures allows one to renew their faith and to remind oneself of their mission in this world. Though Rowlandson found herself in an unbearable situation, her faith remains her guide. This captivity narrative is a testament of faith, a journey of survival, and a deliverance from evil.

            Towards the end of the narrative (around the twentieth remove), the tables turn, and the Indians find themselves with their backs and livelihoods against the wall. I find it interesting that Rowlandson could show any sympathy towards these people, but she states, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy, especially that I should come away in the midst of so many hundreds of enemies quietly and peaceably, and not a dog moving his tongue. So I took my leave of them, and in coming along my heart melted into tears, more than all the while I was with them, and I was almost swallowed up with the thoughts that ever I should go home again.” This passage shows remorse for the people who treated her so poorly and exemplifies the completion of her journey towards salvation and a renewed relationship with God. Rowlandson has been saved from evil, ironically, by evil-- she has overcome the depths God has placed in front of her. She has been saved in every possible way.