- Writers who held positions of power, or sought to obtain them, might have used their writings to promote their own political ideas or advance their careers.
- They may have portrayed their fellow colonists in a positive light to gain support for their policies, or painted a negative picture of those who opposed them to undermine their credibility.
Social Motivations
- Writers from wealthier or more established social classes might have used their works to portray their fellow colonists from lower social classes in a condescending or dismissive manner.
- They may have sought to reinforce social hierarchies and maintain their own privileges by emphasizing the differences between their social group and others.
Economic Motivations
- Writers who were involved in trade, commerce, or other economic pursuits might have portrayed their fellow colonists in a way that would benefit their business interests.
- They could have praised colonists who provided valuable resources or contributed to the economy, while criticizing those who were seen as competitors or obstacles to their financial success.
Cultural and Religious Motivations
- Writers with strong cultural or religious beliefs might have influenced their portrayal of fellow colonists based on their own values and biases.
- They may have viewed certain groups or individuals as "culturally inferior" or "morally corrupt," and used their writings to justify their prejudices or spread their own beliefs.
Personal Bias
- Writers' personal experiences, relationships, and interactions with their fellow colonists could have shaped their portrayal of them.
- Positive experiences might have led to more favorable depictions, while negative interactions could have resulted in a more critical or even hostile portrayal.
Literary Conventions and Styles
- Writers may have been influenced by literary conventions or stylistic trends of their time, which could have shaped the way they portrayed their fellow colonists.
- For example, writers of satire or caricature might have exaggerated certain traits or characteristics for comedic effect, while historians might have strived for objectivity in their portrayal.
Limited Perspectives
- It's important to recognize that writers often had limited perspectives based on their own social position, knowledge, and experiences.
- As a result, their portrayal of fellow colonists might reflect their own partial or incomplete understanding of the broader society they were describing.