The New World

The New World shows us not so much a clash of civilization as much as a discovery of them, and how both in all their awe and might are humbled by the face of nature. In most of the ultra-reclusive Terrence Mallick's work, from Days of Heaven to The Thin Red Line, Man merely plays a supporting role, and Nature is the real star. I have rarely seen naked beauty bared on film. The sun through the trees in Rashomon come to mind. There is also a sense of wonder, not only do the Native Americans stare at the English ships in amazement, the English are no less
humbled by the beauty of this new land and it's people, whom they dub "The Naturals." What we witness is the first meeting of two unknown worlds. They look at each other with child-like curiosity and a humility that comes from regarding their surroundings not as mere geography, but as extentions of self and spirit. It is sad seeing the beginning of what could have been a beautiful friendship knowing what history has in store for this relationship. But when they first see each other, they do not know that. There is a tender discovery, especially between John Smith and Pocahontas. We know that the Native Americnas helped the English survive their winter by teaching them to plant corn and how to store food for the winter. The English forts seem haphazardly built and has all the structural integrity of a shanty town. They get rewarded for their kindness and generosity by having their home taken away from then. The settlers would later on reward the Native Americans with smallpox-infected blankets. But at this point in time both their worlds and all their hopes are still new.