In my opinion, Townsend
believes Malintzin to an exceptional native who made exceptional choices. Of
course, as we discussed in class, it can debated whether or not her choices
were indeed “choices,” but if one agrees that she indeed had enough independence
to make her own choices then it could easily be arguee that she made ones which
proved to be exceptional.
We know that Townsend
believes Malintzin to be exceptional and are reminded of it when she observes
that “we know that Malintzin was a beautiful, talented, and self-confident
woman who was both practical and politically astute” (153). Surely a typical
native does not warrant such an articulate description. We are also reminded
that Malinztin was exceptional when Townsend observes that she, along with dona
Luisa, were Cortes’ most valuable assets (108) during his near defeat. Moreover,
it was Malintzin’s choices that were truly exceptional; for example, her
choosing to marry Juan Jaramillo to consolidate power and security for herself
and for her future children (150). Of course, Townsend points out that
Malintzin “was hardly someone who would or even could be forced to accept a
drunken and bumbling husband whom she did not want to marry” (150). If
Malintzin had indeed been typical, she would not have had enough power to marry
Cortes’ 2nd in command or even had a choice at all in whom she was
to marry.
These are but a few of
the many instances one can point out in which Townsend alludes to Malintzin
being more than typical. Of course, all of her actions or motives will never be
known, but I think that the fact that professional scholars and students alike
are contemplating her place in history centuries after her life at least indicates
that she was more than an ordinary native.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Towsend portrays Malintzin as the exceptional woman who was one the biggest keys for the Spanish conquest. Towsend states early on that we have the duty to shine light on Malintzin and learn about her role in the conquest (8). Malintzin was a slave but she was “beautiful and self-assured young woman with an extraordinary mind” (37). I further agree with your introductory statement about her choices, whether or not they were voluntary or necessary, but Towsend looks at the bigger picture by seeing at how the events took place. Dona Marina was determined and the best of the best at that time (53). She had been a slave and because of that, Towsend argues, she used her motivation and skills carefully always aware of her surroundings with the Spaniards (58). Towsend looks back at codices and observes how Malintzin was always well-dressed, eloquent, and beautiful with footwear (76). Towsend does not stop romanticizing her even to the extent of comparing her to a deity or Mary (78). Her biggest strength was in translating to the point where she learned Spanish herself shoving Aguilar out of the way. However, she didn’t stop at simply translating; she had earned the confident to speak with power and strength. She added her own words to the translation giving natives warnings and advice at the same time (106). Malinztin proved to be more than just a translator. Malintzin could be compared to a concubine, but she gave birth to the child of Cortes. She secured herself a useful, respected husband (153). We have examined so many pictures of her class and interpreted different perspectives of what kind of woman she was. Towsend’s style of writing allows for us to understand Malinztin as a women and her role by explaning how the big events played out in the conquest. However, as you have mentioned we don’t know the full story but Towsend definitely implies the best of Malintzin placing her out of being a typical woman.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree also that Malintzin was a great one woman that had to make choices in my opinion as we discussed in class. I think that by making the choices she made she made herself a more powerful woman. Not by the sense of having more power but she was at a higher level than other “slave” woman were when she was given to the Spanish. When she learned other indigenous languages and learned Spanish she was smart enough to learn not how to survive I think but to also make herself be known to other people by making herself important and bettering herself. By this I mean that she made herself important to the Spanish because she was the link between the Spanish and the Mayan people. She was also a smart person to learn another language and to stay with the Spanish even when she had a chance to stay with her own Mayan people. She was smart enough to know that if she didn’t stay with the Spanish then she wouldn’t survive. I think that that Malintzin had very difficult choices that she had to make in order to survive. Townsend gives a perspective about Malintzin and the choices she made and why she made then along with her journey.
ReplyDelete