pocahontas and john smith Essay example

Submitted By cruzestreya
Words: 782
Pages: 4

Pocahontas and John Smith
Pocahontas is set in 1607, just as a new age of exploration has begun. A group of British adventurers led by the greedy governor of the Virginia Company, John Ratcliffe, and including a fearless soldier named John Smith, have set sail for the New World aboard The Susan Constant, seeking gold and other treasures. Meanwhile, in Virginia, a beautiful young Native American woman named Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan. The type of painting is made of oil canvas. The painting shows a lot of hate and love. I believe that the subject of the painting is justice and mercy because on the top of the painting is the king of the tribe. He shows leadership, order, and power. His people around him look up to him seeking wisdom and leadership. The king wants to punish the people who invade his land and especially the ones who take other lives. The painting is mostly dark colored with a white cloud surrounding Pocahontas. The tribe seem to be very close attached to each other. Even though everyone is Indian except for John Smith, Pocahontas has a European face. I feel like the painting is 3D. There are people ion the painting that do not stand out as much as the king, Pocahontas, John Smith, and the guy that wants to kill john Smith. Those four are standing out of the painting. Most of the lines are angled. Everyone is moving a certain way. There is a little of horizontal lines, but more angles are found in the painting. All of these elements were put together very well because it is showing that some of the natives are ready to fight by the posture of their body and their facial expressions. The back ground expresses the low class that the tribe is. It is very dirty with mostly everything broken and having torn clothes on. What is justice is the main question of the painting. Pocahontas is in love and is protecting John Smith. While the king demands someone to punish him for invading his territory and taking other people’s lives. There are many types of people from the tribe on the background. They either don’t know if the king is making the right choice or they’re waiting for him to speak and to listen to his wisdom.
I believe the artist is trying to show who represents justice and mercy. Pocahontas intervenes to protect John Smith and for that she represents mercy. The king is strict and classic that wants justice and punishment towards the European. The artist is trying to explain how the law worked back in the 1600’s/1800’s. Who is right when it comes to justice back in those days? Could anyone put in their opinions and talk to the king? You can tell my by looking at some facial expressions at the people of the tribe. Some are pointing at the king and whispering to others. Some look tired or busy with their kids. Others