Long before the “Odd Couple”, there was a duo even more opposite and conflicted – Thomas Morton and William Bradford. A battle between two strong characters, with very different and contrasting beliefs about life, ensued on 1622 in the early English settlement of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The men came to the colony with hopes of new found freedom in America. Bradford saw it as a land free from religious persecution and an opportunity to spread God's word to the savage Natives. On the other hand, Morton saw America as wild and untamed, free from responsibility, and a place where each man was his own ruler. The opportunity in America sparkled brightly in Morton's and Bradford's minds, but there was one obstruction to the land of possibility that they didn't foresee – each other.
[...] The words Morton uses to describe himself, Bradford and the Separatists relate to his feelings that everyone was against him. Morton gave epithets such as “mine host” and honest host” to himself. To the Puritans he ascribed less favorable ones, such as, “conspirators”, “overgrown bears” and nine worthies”, which mocked how the Puritans thought their way of life was ideal. Morton wanted to evoke sympathy for himself and anger towards the Separatists in his narrative. but now (theirs [Separatist's colony] being stronger) they (like overgrown bears) seemed monstrous. [...]
[...] Morton provided this explanation to show that Mayday was innocent and not in honor of a as the uneducated Separatists would mistake it to be. Morton believed they were angry and picking on him because they were envious. After all, the man believed he was living the exemplary way of life in America, drinking to his heart's content and carousing with the Natives. Separatists, envying the prosperity and hope of the plantation at Ma-re Mount conspired together against mine host [Morton] especially (who was the owner of that plantation) and made up a party against him and mustered up what aid they could, accounting of him as of a great monster” (201). [...]
[...] Through each competing portrayal of Morton about Bradford and Bradford about Morton, the reader receives insight about the character of his subject and the author as well. Morton characterized Bradford and the Separatists as “overgrown bears” that didn't like him and were jealous of his life style. For Morton, Bradford was searching for any reason to expel him, regarding innocent Morton as a monster that must be cut down. On the other hand, Bradford found Morton to be a threat to safety for others; he sold the Natives guns and taught them how to shoot. [...]
[...] Bradford characterized Morton as man preoccupied with idleness and wantonness. He cared more for alcohol and partying than he did about career, family or religion. Bradford describes how Morton and his company spent their income from trading with the natives: “They spent it as vainly in quaffing and drinking, both wine and strong waters in great excess 10 worth in a morning” (180). He choose to spend the money as quick as he received it - all together, not responsible actions. [...]
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