The English Concentration 
in the Liberal Studies Degree 

Directions:  Read Columbus’s Journal thoroughly, marking passages that you consider interesting, looking up words that you are not familiar with, and noting any questions that you might have.  Then reread the piece, taking notes that will help you answer the following questions.  Once you have completed your rereading, formulate clear and concise answers to these questions;  your answers should be about 3-4 sentences and should be written carefully and clearly in the space provided below.

(1) Consider Columbus’s descriptions of the New World—the flora and fauna.  What is the primary focus of his descriptions?  What does this focus reveal about Columbus’s background?

(2) Consider Columbus’s descriptions of the natives’ religion.  How does Columbus characterize the religion of the Natives?  What conclusions does he draw based on this characterization?

(3) What is Columbus’s primary concern throughout the Journal of the First Voyage?  How does this primary concern influence what Columbus sees (the landscape) and thinks (the natives)?