Social studies report

Oct 15, 2009 

      Many people confuse movies with real life. The story of Pocahontas is no exception. When Disney published their movie in 1995 most of the people who saw it though it was the real story. The movie was just a Hollywood knock off of the real story. The truth isn’t as nice as the movie tries to make it.

         One of the differences I’ve noticed from the movie is Pocahontas’s name. Pocahontas was her nickname meaning “the naughty one”, her real name was Matoaka. In the movie they make no references to her real name and call her Pocahontas. Disney did however get the nickname right, and didn’t choose a new name entirely. Disney also kept John Smith’s name the same instead of changing it.

         Another difference is John Smith entirely. In the movie he was brave, noble, and adventurous. He was described by his fellow colonists as abrasive, ambitious, and self-promoting. He was still an explorer though so Disney got that right. Smith was supposedly saved from a horrific death by Pocahontas because they were in love. Pocahontas was only 10 or 11 at the time making it nearly impossible.

          In the movie the Indians were seen as vile and evil. They immediately fought the settlers when they saw them. In real life the Indians willingly gave the settlers food, water, and other supplies. They welcomed them to the land as they saw no reason to fight. The settlers got greedy and began to ask for more than the Indians could supply and the relationship turned violent.

         Pocahontas never married John Smith. The truth is she was held prisoner when she went to an English camp. After spending a year in a Jamestown prison a man named John Rolfe noticed her. For her to be released she agreed to marry him. She was taken to England and paraded around before eventually passing away in 1917. She was 21 years old.

        Next time you see a movie like Pocahontas try to look past the Hollywood effects and flashing lights. Try to ask yourself, “How did this really happen”? Go home and look it up. Ask somebody that might have really been there. Most importantly, don’t believe everything you see in a movie.