How does the author distinguish between Polynesian 's settlement of Samoa and European and American interest in Damoa?

Question

The author discusses Polynesia in the past tense and Europe and America in the present tense.

The author praises the actions of Polynesian s and condemns the actions of European s and Americans.

The author describes competition and control in relation to Europe and America only.

The author highlights Polynesian settlement and only briefly mentions European and American settlement

Answer 1

The way the author distinguishes between Polynesian settlement of Samoa and European and American interests in the region can be summarized as follows:

1. Temporal Reference: The author uses past tense to discuss the actions and settlement of Polynesians, indicating a historical perspective rooted in their indigenous heritage. In contrast, the present tense is used for European and American interests, suggesting ongoing relevance and contemporary engagement.

2. Value Judgment: The author seems to express a sense of admiration for the Polynesian efforts and achievements while critiquing the motives and actions of Europeans and Americans, framing their interventions in a more negative light.

3. Focus on Agency: The author emphasizes the agency and experiences of Polynesians in their settlement and cultural development in Samoa, while European and American activities are discussed primarily in terms of competition and control, suggesting a more opportunistic and extractive approach.

4. Depth of Coverage: The author gives considerable detail and attention to the Polynesian settlement process, whereas references to European and American settlement are less elaborated, implying a secondary status in the narrative.

In summary, the author distinguishes between Polynesian settlement of Samoa and European and American interests by highlighting differences in temporal perspective, value judgments, thematic focus, and depth of coverage.