Captive Selves, Captivating Others

by Pauline Turner Strong

This book reexamines the Anglo-American literary genre known as the "Indian captivity narrative" in the context of the complex historical practice of captivity across cultural borders in colonial North America. More familiar captivity narratives such as that of Capt. John Smith appear in a new light when read alongside less-familiar stories of captivity, particularly those concerning Native Americans captured by British explorers and colonists. This detailed and nuanced study of the construction of identity and difference is an important contribution to cultural studies, American studies, Native American studies, women's studies, ethnohistory, and anthropology.