Geraldine Heng describes a theory for how the Norse might have understood the Native peoples that they encountered in Vinland-- shaped by a cultural framework defined by a belief in monsters and magic. The evidence for this view is mostly drawn from Eirik the Red’s Saga, which contains more legendary material when compared to The Saga of the Greenlanders.
Assume that Heng’s theory is correct (or at least a plausible way of interpreting the saga evidence).
Write two paragraphs contrasting the treatment of first contact between Norse and Native peoples in Eirik the Red’s Saga and The Saga of the Greenlanders in a way that demonstrates your understanding of the different purposes and audiences for each of the two texts. You can use both selections from The Saga of the Greenlanders, but your focus should be on the second (which describes the cultural contact in the most detail).
Paragraph One should be about Eirik the Red’s Saga, and the topic sentence should be some version of: “In Eirik the Red’s Saga, the Norse understanding of the Native people of Vinland is defined by ____.” Use the ideas in the Heng excerpt on page 1 of this assignment to help you.
Paragraph Two should be about The Saga of the Greenlanders, and the topic sentence should be some version of: “By contrast, The Saga of the Greenlanders is more concerned with ____. As a result, ____,” in which the second blank is your summary of the difference that you are going to prove with evidence and explanation.
Both paragraphs should use specific evidence from each text to prove that your topic sentence (your claim) is true. At least some of this evidence must be the form of quotation. Any paraphrase must be very specific and summarized in such a way so that it is not necessary to refer back to the text in order to understand it.
Use parenthetical references (if necessary) to differentiate the two sources.