Blood on the River

Out of all the characters in the novel, who has the largest impact on Samuel? Explain your answer in detail, and support your response with evidence from the text.

Analyze Chief Powhatan’s reaction to Captain Newport’s gift and the captain’s attempt to crown the chief a prince of England. What do you think was going through the chief’s mind as he responded to the captain in this way?

The story of James Town is neither peaceful nor innocent. Why do you think history books and lessons of the past glossed over the role of the English settlers in the near-destruction of the natives, and what makes the truth acceptable now?

Captain Smith is a complicated hero. Which of his character flaws causes the most problems, and which of his positive traits is the most admirable?

When Samuel spends the winter at the Warraskoyack village, he learns a great deal about survival, community living, and the meaning of self-reliance. What is it about this experience that makes him feel happy?

When Captain Smith is injured, it is said to have been an accident. Do you think it was an accident? Why or why not?

Though the glass beads mean very little to the English settlers in a practical sense, they become highly valuable when trading with the natives. What do the glass beads mean to the natives, and how do you know?

The novel begins and ends with two different incidents that involve Samuel breaking a rule or law of the society in which he lives. How are the incidents similar, and how are they different?