Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, by Mary White Rowlandson
THE FIFTEENTH REMOVE
We went on our travel. I having got one handful of ground nuts, for my
support that day, they gave me my load, and I went on cheerfully (with
the thoughts of going homeward), having my burden more on my back than
my spirit. We came to Banquang river again that day, near which we abode
a few days. Sometimes one of them would give me a pipe, another a
little tobacco, another a little salt: which I would change for a little
victuals. I cannot but think what a wolvish appetite persons have in a
starving condition; for many times when they gave me that which was hot,
I was so greedy, that I should burn my mouth, that it would trouble me
hours after, and yet I should quickly do the same again. And after I was
thoroughly hungry, I was never again satisfied. For though sometimes it
fell out, that I got enough, and did eat till I could eat no more, yet
I was as unsatisfied as I was when I began. And now could I see that
Scripture verified (there being many Scriptures which we do not take
notice of, or understand till we are afflicted) "Thou shalt eat and not
be satisfied" (Micah 6.14). Now might I see more than ever before, the
miseries that sin hath brought upon us. Many times I should be ready to
run against the heathen, but the Scripture would quiet me again, "Shall
there be evil in a City and the Lord hath not done it?" (Amos 3.6). The
Lord help me to make a right improvement of His word, and that I might
learn that great lesson: "He hath showed thee (Oh Man) what is good, and
what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and love mercy,
and walk humbly with thy God? Hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed
it" (Micah 6.8-9).
THE SIXTEENTH REMOVAL
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of The Fifteenth and Sixteenth Removes from Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson
Context of the Work
Mary Rowlandson’s Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration (1682) is one of the earliest and most famous captivity narratives in American literature. It recounts Rowlandson’s 11-week captivity during King Philip’s War (1675–1676), a brutal conflict between English colonists and Native American tribes (primarily the Wampanoag, led by Metacom, or "King Philip"). Rowlandson, a Puritan minister’s wife, was taken captive during a raid on Lancaster, Massachusetts, where many colonists were killed or taken prisoner.
Her narrative blends personal suffering, religious reflection, and Puritan theology, framing her ordeal as a test of faith. The text was widely read in colonial America, reinforcing Puritan beliefs in divine providence, sin, and redemption, while also shaping early American perceptions of Native Americans as "savages."
Analysis of The Fifteenth Remove
Summary of the Passage
Rowlandson describes her physical and spiritual struggles as she and her captors continue their journey. She survives on meager rations (a handful of ground nuts), carries heavy burdens, and endures hunger so severe that she burns her mouth in her desperation to eat. Despite occasional moments of relief (receiving tobacco, salt, or food from her captors), she remains spiritually and physically unsatisfied, seeing her suffering as divine punishment for sin. She reflects on biblical verses (Micah 6:14, Amos 3:6) to make sense of her plight, ultimately submitting to God’s will.
Key Themes
Physical and Spiritual Hunger
- Rowlandson’s greed for food—even burning her mouth—symbolizes both physical deprivation and a deeper spiritual emptiness.
- Her inability to feel satisfied ("I was as unsatisfied as I was when I began") mirrors the Puritan belief in human depravity—no earthly comfort can truly satisfy the soul, only God’s grace.
- The reference to Micah 6:14 ("Thou shalt eat and not be satisfied") frames her hunger as a divine curse, reinforcing the idea that suffering is a consequence of sin.
Divine Providence and Suffering
- Rowlandson struggles with anger toward her Native captors ("ready to run against the heathen"), but Scripture tempers her rage (Amos 3:6: "Shall there be evil in a City and the Lord hath not done it?").
- This reflects the Puritan doctrine of predestination—her suffering is God’s will, not mere chance. Even the "heathen" are instruments of divine punishment.
- Her submission to God’s rod (discipline) aligns with Micah 6:8-9, which calls for justice, mercy, and humility—lessons she must learn through affliction.
Cultural and Racial Perceptions
- Rowlandson’s dehumanization of Native Americans ("wolvish appetite") contrasts with their occasional kindness (giving her tobacco, salt, or food).
- The exchange of goods (tobacco for food) shows a complex, if uneasy, interdependence between captive and captor, complicating the narrative of pure "savagery."
- Yet, she never humanizes them fully—they remain agents of her suffering, not individuals with their own motivations.
The Burden of Sin and Redemption
- Her physical burden ("my burden more on my back than my spirit") symbolizes spiritual guilt.
- The journey homeward is both literal and metaphorical—a return to Puritan society and a pilgrimage toward spiritual renewal.
Literary Devices
Biblical Allusion & Typology
- Rowlandson interprets her suffering through Scripture, seeing herself as a modern-day Job or Israelite in exile.
- Micah 6:8-9 serves as a moral lesson—her captivity is a test to teach her humility and reliance on God.
Imagery of Hunger and Depravity
- "Wolvish appetite" – Animalistic imagery emphasizes loss of civility in starvation.
- "Burn my mouth" – Vivid sensory detail conveys desperation and self-destruction.
Juxtaposition of Suffering and Faith
- Despite physical agony, she finds spiritual clarity—her pain is purifying.
- The contradiction between her anger at the Native Americans and her acceptance of God’s will highlights the tension in Puritan theology between free will and predestination.
First-Person Narration & Emotional Appeal
- Rowlandson’s intimate, confessional tone draws readers into her psychological and physical struggle.
- Her raw descriptions of hunger make her suffering visceral and relatable, reinforcing the narrative’s persuasive power as a religious testimony.
Significance of the Passage
- Puritan Worldview: The passage exemplifies how suffering was theologized—seen as divine discipline rather than random misfortune.
- Early American Identity: Rowlandson’s narrative helped shape the colonial view of Native Americans as God’s instrument of punishment, justifying later expansion and conflict.
- Literary Influence: Her blend of personal trauma and religious reflection set a precedent for later captivity narratives and American autobiographical writing.
- Gender and Survival: As a woman in a male-dominated Puritan society, Rowlandson’s survival and authorship were remarkable, offering a rare female perspective on colonial violence.
Transition to The Sixteenth Remove (Brief Note)
While the full text of the Sixteenth Remove is not provided here, it typically continues Rowlandson’s journey toward redemption. Key elements often include:
- Further physical hardships (cold, hunger, forced marches).
- Moments of divine intervention (e.g., unexpected food, protection from harm).
- Deepening religious reflection, often citing Psalms or Prophets to frame her ordeal as a test of faith.
- Anticipation of release, as she moves closer to English settlements.
Her final restoration (return to colonial society) is framed as God’s mercy, reinforcing the Puritan belief in deliverance through faith.
Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters
Rowlandson’s Fifteenth Remove is a microcosm of her entire narrative—a struggle between flesh and spirit, anger and submission, despair and faith. Her unflinching account of hunger makes her suffering tangible, while her biblical reflections elevate it to a moral lesson. For Puritan readers, her story was a warning and an inspiration: sin brings suffering, but faith brings redemption.
Today, the text remains a complex document—both a powerful survival story and a problematic colonial text that dehumanizes Native Americans. It forces readers to grapple with questions of faith, cultural conflict, and the ethics of storytelling in times of war.
Would you like a deeper dive into any specific aspect (e.g., Puritan theology, Native American perspectives, or literary structure)?