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.