In my opinion, I believe that Malintzin is a clear example of an exceptional
woman. However, in this example, one cannot but a solid and concise meaning of
exceptional. In the case of Malintzin, her story demonstrates multiple levels
of being ahead of her time. First of all, her ability to know multiple
languages is one that cannot be over looked. But this is more importance than
originally suggested. Malintzin knew that she needed to subject herself to the
Spanish in order to be useful, and ultimately, not die in the conflict between
the Spanish and Nauthul. Also, keep in mind that she also saw her opportunity
to advance in society by aligning with the Spanish, but also end up more
educated in the long run.
I believe that Townsend would
concur that Malintzin is an exceptional person too. In one sense, if it were
not for her life, Townsend would not have a book to write at all! Townsend’s
beliefs are also confirmed by other quotes from within the text. Townsend
suggests on page 175 that she is worth the same price as ten of the Spaniards
that took place in the conquest. Townsend also alludes to the ability of
Malintzin as a person to be able to go through such as tough time as an indigenous
person, and yet be able to raise children successfully.
Townsend believed that Malintzin was an exceptional person because what she was able to accomplish with the cards she was dealt. As far as Malintzin being the only Mesoamerican idian woman to be able to translate for the Spaniards Townsend wrote "had Malinche not existed, some other Spaniards on some other expedition would have come accross another woman much like Malinche" (p.6). Townsend thought Malintzin was exceptional because she was smart, bilingual, improved her way of live, chose to be the interpreter, and most important she took control of her fate and made the best of it. Malinztin made her self in-expendable to the Spaniards by "Malinztin literally stood at the heart of these negotiations" (P.63). Malinztin was crucial to the conquest of Mesoamerica and the Spaniards understood that and so did Malinztin, but I believe that she knew that she could be replaced so that is why she was so loyal to the Spaniards.
ReplyDeleteMalinztin represented many of other Mesoamerican women that helped the Spaniards conquest of Latin American. I mentioned in class about "La India de Cartagena" which help the Spaniards virtually eliminate the indian population of Cartagena and conquer Cartagena. "La India" is glorified in Cartagena unlike Malinztin in Mexico. I believe is because Mexico has a lot of decedents of the people that were conquered by the Spaniards so Malinztin is remembered as a traitor, but there are almost no decedents left in Cartagena. To conclude Townsend definitely thought that Malinztin was an exceptional person but not exceptional in the sense that if she didn't do it some other woman would have, but Townsend never thought that Malinzin was typical nor do I.