In todays globalized world, the geographical borders are thinning. The demand for cheap labor in the industrialized nations has contributed to the influx of migrant workers. Despite the higher volume of migration in the 21st century, in more ways than one, the migrant experience has remained essentially the same. Based on the accounts and narrative of early transatlantic migrants in the book Major Problems in Atlantic History, migration, when unmasked, reveals tragic tales. Those who have fled from war or persecution may find reprieve in a new country but will eventually face hostility from the natives. People who are accustomed of wealth, patronage, convenience, and opportunity instead find hunger, slavery, and destitution.
Life in another country is beyond anything one could expect. This is how Marie Guyart Martin or Marie of the Incarnation described her life as a superior in a convent in Quebec, Canada. Document 2 in the book presents a letter written by Marie of the Incarnation on September 9, 1652 and addressed to her son, who was then living in France (Games and Rothman 157). In the letter, she outlined her fears and misgivings about the future of Canada, the success of her vocation, and her purpose of working in a new land. Marie headed a group of sisters belonging to a religious order that performs two purposes, as what can be deduced from the letter. The first function of the sisters was to educate and win over the hearts of the Iroquois by speaking their language and learning their ways. The second was to assist in the medical needs of the French soldiers and natives alike. As the tasks grew and management of the convent became more burdensome, the request for more sisters to assist was considered. In the letter, Marie was trying to make her son understand her decision to be conservative and hesitant in requesting for additional sisters to help out in the convent.
Maries letter revealed how migration creates tension between two cultures. The entry (sometimes considered intrusion) into anothers homeland could be seen as an opportunity or a threat, depending on whose perspective you use. Marie came to Canada because as a sister, she could be instrumental in pacifying the natives or original inhabitants of the land through preaching Christianity and through humanitarian work. It is apparent that she already had preconceived ideas about the Iroquois as a race that cannot be trusted because they were barbarians and heathens (Games and Rothman 162).
As a religious woman, she shares the opinion that all non-believers of Christianity are heathens or barbarians, and thus, unable to restrain their violent ways. However, she soon showed confusion as well as surprise upon learning that her earlier assumptions about the Iroquois might have been wrong. Living in Canada has made her realize that the barbarians may not be the enemy. She says that the French are even more fearsome especially their treatment of women, The Iroquois are barbarians, but they certainly do not deal with persons of our sex as I am told the French have done (Games and Rothman 162).
Migration uproots you from everything that you are accustomed of and deprives you of the most basic needs. As a woman, Marie displayed sensitivity to the plight of those who may wish to leave, considering the hardships that women faced in a new and hostile country. As of writing, there have already been two sisters in Maries order who returned to France (Games and Rothman 163). And although the need for additional sisters may help them in their vocation, the adjustments, in her estimation, are too great. The need to learn the languages as well as the unstable security that face them held her back. Although she feared the possibility of rebellion among the Iroquois, she opines that this is not the biggest factor for wanting to depart from Canada. Rather, it is the lack of basic needs such as food and clothing (Games and Rothman 163). This is why, Marie explains to her son, that we are in no hurry to ask for sisters to come (Games and Rothman 163).
To Marie the Incarnation, leaving behind family and patrons as well as a relatively comfortable life for the danger of the seas and enemies was something regrettable. Despite these hardships and being stationed in Canada not by choice but by responsibility, Marie the Incarnation remained in the hostile country, leaving her fate all to God. The same tragedies, dashed hopes, and late regrets surround the stories of modern-day migrants.
Life in another country is beyond anything one could expect. This is how Marie Guyart Martin or Marie of the Incarnation described her life as a superior in a convent in Quebec, Canada. Document 2 in the book presents a letter written by Marie of the Incarnation on September 9, 1652 and addressed to her son, who was then living in France (Games and Rothman 157). In the letter, she outlined her fears and misgivings about the future of Canada, the success of her vocation, and her purpose of working in a new land. Marie headed a group of sisters belonging to a religious order that performs two purposes, as what can be deduced from the letter. The first function of the sisters was to educate and win over the hearts of the Iroquois by speaking their language and learning their ways. The second was to assist in the medical needs of the French soldiers and natives alike. As the tasks grew and management of the convent became more burdensome, the request for more sisters to assist was considered. In the letter, Marie was trying to make her son understand her decision to be conservative and hesitant in requesting for additional sisters to help out in the convent.
Maries letter revealed how migration creates tension between two cultures. The entry (sometimes considered intrusion) into anothers homeland could be seen as an opportunity or a threat, depending on whose perspective you use. Marie came to Canada because as a sister, she could be instrumental in pacifying the natives or original inhabitants of the land through preaching Christianity and through humanitarian work. It is apparent that she already had preconceived ideas about the Iroquois as a race that cannot be trusted because they were barbarians and heathens (Games and Rothman 162).
As a religious woman, she shares the opinion that all non-believers of Christianity are heathens or barbarians, and thus, unable to restrain their violent ways. However, she soon showed confusion as well as surprise upon learning that her earlier assumptions about the Iroquois might have been wrong. Living in Canada has made her realize that the barbarians may not be the enemy. She says that the French are even more fearsome especially their treatment of women, The Iroquois are barbarians, but they certainly do not deal with persons of our sex as I am told the French have done (Games and Rothman 162).
Migration uproots you from everything that you are accustomed of and deprives you of the most basic needs. As a woman, Marie displayed sensitivity to the plight of those who may wish to leave, considering the hardships that women faced in a new and hostile country. As of writing, there have already been two sisters in Maries order who returned to France (Games and Rothman 163). And although the need for additional sisters may help them in their vocation, the adjustments, in her estimation, are too great. The need to learn the languages as well as the unstable security that face them held her back. Although she feared the possibility of rebellion among the Iroquois, she opines that this is not the biggest factor for wanting to depart from Canada. Rather, it is the lack of basic needs such as food and clothing (Games and Rothman 163). This is why, Marie explains to her son, that we are in no hurry to ask for sisters to come (Games and Rothman 163).
To Marie the Incarnation, leaving behind family and patrons as well as a relatively comfortable life for the danger of the seas and enemies was something regrettable. Despite these hardships and being stationed in Canada not by choice but by responsibility, Marie the Incarnation remained in the hostile country, leaving her fate all to God. The same tragedies, dashed hopes, and late regrets surround the stories of modern-day migrants.
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