People are born into a wealth of cultural beliefs. Everyone has their own way of defining the world and their owns views of what s right or wrong. When two people of opposing cultural backgrounds come into contact with each other, there is bound to be some type of cultural exchange.
Some people respond with a cold front and a refusal to change their views.
Others, through extended exposure to a foreign culture learn to accept differences that once set them apart. Rowlandson is brought into contact with the American Indian culture in a very violent way. The essay was written during King Phillips war. During this time period violent, brutal encounters between the English and Indians were very common. A band of Indians completely destroyed Rowlandson s home village during one of these encounters.