Questions

1. Why would the U.S. Congress decide in 1839 to commission such a painting to hang among representations of other American heroes in the Capitol rotunda? Consider events that took place in the country at the time—for example, passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the infamous “Trail of Tears” that Native Americans were forced to travel.

   Question

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   Questions: - Why would the U.S. Congress decide in 1839 to commission such a painting to hang among representations of other American heroes in the Capitol rotunda? Consider events that took place in the country at the time—for example, passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the infamous “Trail of Tears” that Native Americans were forced to travel.
2. What are your first impressions of this painting? How are the central figures of the minister, John Rolfe, and Pocahontas depicted?

   Question

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   Questions: - What are your first impressions of this painting? How are the central figures of the minister, John Rolfe, and Pocahontas depicted?
3. What is your impression of the Native American figures, particularly Pocahontas’s sister—who is holding a baby, her brother Nantaquaus—who is turning away, and her uncle Opechancanough—who is seated, facing the viewer? How do they contrast with the English figures and with Pocahontas? What is the rhetorical effect of these depictions?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - What is your impression of the Native American figures, particularly Pocahontas’s sister—who is holding a baby, her brother Nantaquaus—who is turning away, and her uncle Opechancanough—who is seated, facing the viewer? How do they contrast with the English figures and with Pocahontas? What is the rhetorical effect of these depictions?
4. In 1863 and again in 1875, this image was engraved on the back of $20 U.S. banknotes. What does this suggest about the prominence of this depiction? What features made it so important?

   Question

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   Questions: - In 1863 and again in 1875, this image was engraved on the back of $20 U.S. banknotes. What does this suggest about the prominence of this depiction? What features made it so important?