Consumerism amoung American Settlers

"In eighteenth-century  Britain, France and the Netherlands especially, material goods appeared with increasing frequency at cheaper prices among far more consumer than ever before" -Broner, page 154

Reflecting a bit on the previous excersie whre I listed my entire dorm room inventory, it is without question that I own more than probably the most elite of the early American colonists.  However, as stated in the quote, people back in Europe were experiencing a new wave of consumerism, and the early Americans wanting to be like the Europeans, imported many goods.

It seems ridiculous to me that colonists would import impractical luxury goods from England while they were living on the frontier.  I guess it comes as no surprise that modern day people are also consumed with the same status seeking mindset, regardless of practicality.

My Dorm Inventory

Alright, so this list is going to be pretty extensive.  I'm trying to kill two birds with one stone here and get some cleaning done as well as this blog post.  Here it goes!


 Here is a list of everything currently in my closet.  It is a lot, but keep in mind that I currently have no clothes back home, all of them are here at school!

Clothing:
(sorted by drawer)

about 27 pairs of underwear
12 pairs of socks
2 bathing suits (a bikini and a one piece)
11 other undergarments
6 pairs of tights
3 pairs of long underwear
2 pairs of leggings
misc. toiletries

6 pairs of athletic shorts
2 pairs of yoga pants
2 athletic jackets
4 sports bras
6 athletic fabric tops
1 hinter hat
2 pairs of gloves

9 tank tops
4 camis
29 short sleeve shirt
7 three quarter sleeve shirts

4 pairs of sweatpants
4 pairs of lounge pants
3 pj tank tops
12 t-shirts
11 long sleeve shirts

Hanging
3 belts
4 bath towels
1 pool towel
4 hand towels
2 wash cloths
8 scarves
7 zip up hoodies
2 pullover hoodies
11 sweaters/cardigans
3 skirts
10 dresses
2 pairs of dress pants
1 north face jacket
1 raincoat
1 peacoat
1 winter parka
7 pairs of jeans
1 pair of black work pants

Shoes
2 pairs of shower shoes (an accident!)
2 pairs of flip flops
2 boots
3 pairs of flats
2 pair of converse
1 pair of running shoes

Bags
1 crossbody bag
1 purse
2 wristlets
2 draw sting bags
3 tote bags

Cleaning Supplies
1 foxtail and dustpan set
2 rolls of paper towels
1 bottle of dishwash soap
1 dishscrubber
2 packs of laundry detergent
1 pack of tide color catchers
1 lintroller
4 misc cleaning products

Toltries/Misc
3 boxes of tissues
2 body wash
2 face soap
1 sewing kit
1 loofah
2 tootbrushes
2 tubes of tooth paste
1 pack of razor blades
1 pack of q-tips
2 conatiners of lotion

Dishes & Food
2 large bowls
5 small bowls
package of silverware
package of tupperware
1 pizza cutter
chip bag clips
2 coffee mugs
2 reusable water bottles

Food:
1 package of pop tarts
1 package of easy mac
1 package of granola bars
1 case of hot cocoa powder

1 pack of zip lock bags


Misc Things on my top shelf
2 suitcases
1 gym bag
2 sets of sheets (flannel and cotton)


Things in, on, and around my desk
1 laptop and case
pencils
pens
misc papers and letters
1 TI 89 calculator
1 digital camers
1 cell phone
All of my text books
stationary
1 hairdryer
2 hairbrushes
2 combs
misc makeup
misc hair products
1 shower caddy
misc books

Jewelery
11 necklces
3 bracelets
16 pairs of earrings
2 rings


Other things in the room..
1 box full of summer clothes that I'm sending back home.
My backpack.
2 couches
1 window seat
1 refrigerator (full of food & drink)
1 area rug
wall applices/decorations
decorative lights
my loft kit and bed

and last but not least.. all of my roomates things.

That's it!! 

"I Hate Pocahontas"

"Is it worth it to fight and bicker

about a culture that seems

sick and sicker?"

-Betty Russell, "I Hate Pocahontas"

I'd like to think that the Disney version of Pocahontas isn't offensive, that it is a harmless portrayal of the story.  However, looking at the image of Pocahontas from the view of Native American Tribes that probably view it as offensive and how grossly popular and historically inaccurate it is, it really is a shame that the "x-rated doll" image of Pocahontas is more well known than the actual historical figure.

This poem resonated with me the most because it explored a lot of the sentiments I felt after watching the Disney movie Pocahontas after reflecting on the historical readings of Pocahontas. 

 

The Image of Pocahontas

 

To be clear, no clear images of Pocahontas exist.  The only portrait of her ever drawn from live has her clad in English garb (the 1616 Simon van de Passe engraving on the left).  Also, the other images portray Pocahontas a mythic figure.  The statue of Pocahontas at Gravesend literally has her up on a pedestal as an Indian maiden with flowing long hair, a portrayal of femininity.  

Also, the issue arises where one can look too deep into images of Pocahontas and see things that aren't there.  for example, Pocahontas appears weathered and tired in Simon van de Passe engraving, but that could just be a result of the medium, or on the fault of the artist.  I'm excited to explore this more in the Pocahontas image essay.

Perplexing Pocahontas

I never questioned the story of Pocahontas and her rescue of John Smith until the readings we did for class.  Perhaps I've just been too indoctrinated by Disney. 

When looking at the story critically, it makes no sense for Pocahontas to rescue John Smith out of love.  Given their age difference, and the striking similarity the story has to the Scottish ballad,  "Young Beichan".  Also, remembering that John Smith was a social climber in English society, the story was most likely embellished to help John Smith, rather than be historically accurate.

While it's sad to compare the images form the Disney movie to the harsh reality of the Pocahontas story, I'm glad we can get an idea of what was glossed over in the Disney version.

Confusion With Early Virginia

So, I've just finished reading through the documents and I must admit, I'm incredibly confused.  So, instead of posting a quote, I thought I'd share my questions.


"THE TRUE PICTURES AND FASHIONS OF THE PEOPLE IN THAT PARTE OF AMERICA NOW CALLED VIRGINIA, DISCOVURED BY ENGLISHMEN "
 
Why are Native Americans being portayed with Old English Style Portraits and their daily life told in Old English language?  More importantly, what does this mean?  Were the colonists afraid to tell people back at England the real conditions of the New World?

"True Relations of John Smith"




I am confused by the complex history of early Jamestown presented here.  The disclaimer of the title "true relations" makes me think that the history is biased, and not an accurate account of events.  If so, how are we supposed to interpret these documents?

"First Hand Accounts of Virginia"

I feel as if I'm seeing these letters out of context.  What is the significance of who they are addressed to?





I'm not sure if this falls under the umbrella of acceptable topics for a commonplace blog, but I'm sure right now that many of my classmates have the same questions.  I plan on editing this post after class tomorrow with answers to my questions.

The American view of the Indian Image

"Throughout a long history of Indian play, native people have been present at the margins, insinuating their way into Euro-American discourse, often attempting to nudge notions of Indianness in directions they found useful."  - (Deloria 8)

 Above is an example of chief Illiniwek of the University of Illinois.  The mascot has since been retired due to complaints from the Native American community.  I included this example to illustrate a modern example of an image of freedom symbolized by an "Indian Image". 

While Americans may have desired the freedom adopting an Indian image provides, there is much debate over what it really means.  Also, mascots of "Indians" have often been deemed as disgraceful. 

Dirt

"Within the pueblo, outdoor and indoor spaces flowed freely and were hardly distinguishable.  One moved in bar feet fro interior dirt floors enclosed by mud walls to the well-packed dirt smoothness of the pueblo plaza." - (Swentzell, 57)

I really wish that we had the same embrace of nature and dirt that the pueblos had.  Then, I wouldn't have to keep sweeping the dirt that keeps accumulating in my dorm room.

Humor aside, the pueblo concept of space and community really is a stark contrast with that of early American settlers.  After this reading, I realize how great a sense of community the pueblos had, and what a shame it is that my ancestors were the ones to destroy it.  

**I apologize for the backlog of blog posts.  I let parents weekend overwhelm me. 

Changing Place

"The love of change and all forms of mobility an innate restlessness is one of the prime determinants of the structure of American national character." - (The Ephemeral Character of Place, 219)

In the past few weeks, I've undergone a lot of change myself.  Surprisingly, I've already made a home for myself here at Saint Olaf.  Perhaps this adaptation is an innate American trait that I have?

Regardless, I really enjoyed the exploration or English landscape design as compared to the American incorporation of it.  While it's safe to say that English ideas helped shaped the American sense of place and space, I enjoy the distinctly American concept of landscape as incorporated here at Saint Olaf.