John Smith and William Bradford

John Smith's persuasive pamphlet and William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation each present a different picture of the same pre-colonial land of New England. Smith's writing painted a colorful picture of the new land, whereas Bradford's historical account shows early New England was not Heaven on Earth. Mr. Bradford and Mr. Smith are writing about one land, but they present two different accounts of the life in the land. John Smith's writing is his ideal vision …

…these differences would be erased over time, but Smith's vision did not come to fruition quickly or easily for these pioneers. With time and God's grace, John Smith's propaganda would become a near truth in Providence, but it was not easy for the Pilgrims. Indian help and much hard work was needed before the Pilgrims' holy, virtuous experiment came close to the life Smith promised to those adventurous souls willing to cross the Atlantic Ocean.