Burkhalter 1

Chey Burkhalter
Ms. Albrecht
Advanced Composition
Thursday, October 2, 2014


Flipping William the Byrd
What comes to ones mind when thinking of the early settlers? To William Bradford, a
Puritan who settled early America and wrote of his experiences, they were hardworking,
Christian men and women, but to William Byrd, a rich, educated plantation owner from the
1700s, the first settlers were lazy, alcoholic reprobates from good families. The authors
greatly differ on their approaches to the subject. Its like comparing Twain to Poe if they wrote
something on the same matter. To be frank, Bradford is the more credible author. The man was
actually there, and he didnt write like he was constantly sitting on a thumbtack, and daintily
pursing his powdered mouth.

From Bradfords account, in Of Plymouth Plantation, the Pilgrims were hardworking,
caring, problem-solving, Christian individuals. While the Pilgrims werent very knowledgeable
about life in their new land, they did the best they could with what little they had, and learned as
quickly as possible. Thankfully, they had the aid of the American Indians. With whom, after
friendly entertainment and some gifts given him, the made peace with him. [Squanto] But, the
most prominent part of Bradfords writings was to focus on the sickness and sadness that the
Pilgrims had to suffer. In The Starving Time passage, Bradford says, . . . That which was
most sad. . . was that in two or three months time half of their company died, especially in
January and February. (Bradford 124) By giving this example, Bradford is trying to highlight
how tragic their experiences in the New World were.

Burkhalter 2
Chey Burkhalter
Ms. Albrecht
Advanced Composition
Thursday, October 2, 2014


Byrd, on the other hand, calls all of the early settlers lazy alcoholics, or bad people from
good families, to be blunt, in his text The Story of the Dividing Line. . . . Where, like true
Englishmen, they built a church that cost no more than fifty pounds, and a tavern that cost over
500 pounds. (Byrd 133) Which, in some cases was true. They embarked about a hundred men,
most of them reprobates of good families. At one point he even suggests that they should have
reproduced with the American Indians to keep peace with them, but one wonders, did he really
believe that or did he just need an excuse to argue? Most likely the latter.

While Byrd had his education on his side when it came to credibility, what else did he
have? Bradford was actually there, and unlike Byrd he was practically making a list of facts.
Byrd merely flaunted his intelligence in the face of the reader. Whilst reading the text one might
imagine him toting around a large dictionary finding the longest, most pretentious words that still
made sense to put into the text. For example quixote, wretches, and reprobates. Yes, he
was writing for an audience of a higher intelligence, but in all honesty were these words at all
necessary, other than the fact that they made him look more intelligent? Byrd was also subjective
to the point of snootiness. Everything about his text screamed, I AM AN OPINIONATED
RICH WHITE BOY. LISTEN TO ME. For example, As it happened some ages before to be
the fashion to saunter to the Holy Land and go upon other quixote adventures, so it was now
grown the humour to take the trip. (Byrd 131) Aw yes. They just sauntered into the New
World, Mr. Byrd. Much like you probably sauntered into a governors ball, I assume. Yes,
Burkhalter 3
Chey Burkhalter
Ms. Albrecht
Advanced Composition
Thursday, October 2, 2014


Byrds writing was satirical but, do you really think it made anyone laugh? Probably not, and if it
did, you must be very bland.

Bradfords style was very to the point, wordy, and contained painstakingly long sentences
with simple words. Then again, he was a Puritanical writer, and that shows through the style
itself and not just the many mentions of God. From the very first sentence in chapter nine you
can see most of these things clearly in the wordiness, and lengthiness. These troubles being
blown over, and now all being compact together in one ship, they put to sea again with a
prosperous wind, which continued a divers days together, which was encouragement unto them.
(Bradford 121) Much of the text resembles this sentence. The biggest difference he had from
Byrd was the fact that he was very objective. By using they and them, instead of we and
us he is separating himself, and his opinions, from the text.

In the end, Bradford was more credible considering he was actually there. If you want
something to read thats more historically accurate, read Bradford. If you want to analyze a
pretentious rich kid from the early 1700s then read Byrd. Bradford was writing for a purpose,
and Byrd was writing to show off his intelligence to his peers- so honorable-. [Insert eyeroll
here.] Its obvious from his collegiate word choices. Read and analyze Bradford if you want
facts, and read Byrd if you want. . . Well, I dont know what you would want if you read Byrd.