The Reel Pocahontas
Pocahontas may have been wonderful family entertainment, but the Disney film had very little resemblance to the historical figure whose name it appropriated. That was the consensus at a discussion about Hollywood's depiction of Pocahontas and of Native American culture in general conducted by visiting Instructor of Religious Studies Laurel Schneider.
Schneider, who taught a spring course titled Native American Religious Traditions, read two different accounts by Captain John Smith of his capture by the Powhatans in December 1607. In the first account, written in the same year the event occurred, Smith claimed that tribal chief Powhatan released him after an elaborate religious ceremony; he did not mention Pocahontas. Smith's second version of the story, written 17 years later, described how Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas, intervened to save his life as he was about to be killed by club-wielding Indians. Despite the inconsistencies between the two accounts, Schneider says, Smith's later version was accepted into popular lore and spawned the legend of Pocahontas. But even this historically questionable account was discarded by Disney in an attempt to add drama and romance to the relationship between Pocahontas and Smith, she says. In the movie, which Schneider showed following her introduction, Pocahontas falls in love with Smith and prevents a war between the Powhatans and the English. Assistant Professor of History Elizabeth Leonard called the film "a complete fabrication."
The historical Pocahontas--who was 11 years old when Smith was captured--married a Virginia merchant, John Rolfe, accompanied him to England and died, probably of smallpox, at 21, Schneider said.
The distortions in the film raise questions about the depiction of Native Americans by filmmakers, Schneider said. For example, she said, the models used to create the animated characters in Pocahontas were Asian, not Native American. She added, however, that Pocahontas resonated with some Native Americans because of its positive portrayal of their people.
Instructor in Education and Human Development Sandy Grande said that she was able to separate the movie character from the historical Pocahontas. "There is story and there is history, and I think it's important to distinguish between them," she said. "I hope we don't look to Disney for history." While conceding that Pocahontas is historically flawed, Grande said the story has some value in depicting Native Americans as "the good guys."