Colonial House depicts life in 1628 as per Plymouth County’s prerequisites. The feature focuses on the 17th century’s colonists and their lives in the new world. The current paper aims at evaluating the extent to which Colonial House depicts life as it was in the era and the experiences drawn from the participants’ assertions. In addition, it also examines aspects through which the series fails to foster an understanding of colonial life.
How I Perceive the Experience of Participating in Colonial House
Colonial House requires its participants to execute various changes for its success. Looking at the colonialists’ actions, it sends a message of emotional distress for those involved. Moreover, it limits their freedom with the outside world. As a result, it provides an impetus for loneliness. Most of the characters must make accommodation which they mostly don’t accept under normal circumstances. For example, they must participate in the service held on Sunday regardless of their beliefs. Michelle Rossi-Voorhees remarks that ‘ I am concerned about having to say prayers that I really don’t believe in ’ (Behroozian, 2017).
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The colonists relied on the provisions available during the 17th century. They consumed ship's biscuits, salted fish and pork. On a daily basis, they tended to goats and chicken for sustenance. Moreover, the staples primarily consumed included wheat, oats as well as dried peas. Albeit the availability of alcoholic drinks, the consumption occurred as per the governor’s ration requirement. The beverages included wine (1 firkin), aqua vitae (1 firkin) coupled with beer (1 barrel). However, some circumstances resulted in exceptions. For example, after successfully planting corn, Don Heinz allows the colonists to make merry without strict limitations.
Establishing trade relationships with surrounding communities determined the colonist’s ability to survive. Thus, the Passamaquoddy offer some Indian corn to the settlers. A successful harvest depended on the ability of community members to plant them before winter. The settlers relied on a technique predominantly used during the period which involved planting on mounds as opposed to using rows. In addition, the colonists receive some muskrats from their immediate neighbors.
The hierarchy used in the colony depicted the prerequisites commonly associated with the 17th century. The governor used his mandate to guide others. The community had social groups which determined an individual's role. For example, freemen participated in council meetings to make community-related decisions and possessed property. However, women and minors could not participate in their settlement’s politics. The societies also excluded indentured servants.
How I think the show either works or does not work as a tool for understanding colonial life
Colonial House highlights a clash in the privileges conferred to women and men in the 17th and 21st century. The women indicate their discontentment as they cannot exercise any of the rights provided by contemporary policies and regulations. They resort to holding parallel meetings with an aim of deciding on aspects which affect community welfare. Thus, the clamor for fairness with respect to food preparation chores after their population reduces when the Wyers leave after bereavement. Moreover, male servants deviate from the directives issued by the acting governor- Don Heinz- and instead go swimming. As a result, it negatively affects the settlement’s corn planting schedule. Furthermore, colonialists mostly started their day before dawn. Thus, at about 5:00 am they began their chores. However, Colonial House depicts a scenario where most of the settlers get up at 9:00am or10:00 am. As a result, Jeff Wyers feels inclined to make some changes to ensure that the community affairs to the 17th century rules.
Conclusion
Colonial House attempts to provide some practical illustrations of life in the 17th century. It depicts the colonialist’s economic and religious life. Moreover, it provides an elaboration on systems socially used. However, the privileges availed to its casts from their contemporary societies infiltrates the set-up.
References
Behroozian, F. (2017, April 8). History BBC documentary Colonial House EP02 Harsh [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RoKSYYAVvU&list=PL72jhKwankOhREYoi11EqHQKz7v9n56Fv&index=4&t=0s
