Pablo Serrano
illustrated this image of Dona Marina for a children’s book telling about Malintzins’
role in the conquest. I believe that
Townshed would agree that this is a historical representation of Maltinzin. This
representation of her is not the one of a beautiful, sexy, viperous traitor
trying to manipulate others, but one of a survivor who was able to change her
social status despite her unfortunate circumstances (Townshed, 2). Her face
shows of sadness and of being weary. But her eyes gleam with confidence.
Looking at this image you can see that the
shawl she is wearing is very fine and detailed. Her simple but elegant jewelry and
her shawl show that she is a woman of wealth and prestige. If you look closely at
the shawl you can see a depiction of Spanish conquerors, Montezuma, and Natives
combined with the usual geometric shapes of a typical Mexican shawl. It is if
the shawl is telling a story about her part she played in the Spanish Conquest
of Latin America.
Another thing to consider is the position
of her hands. Is she translating while using hand gestures or is she pointing
to the one man who I am assuming is Cortez and she is also pointing to the
mountain in the distance, as if to say that by helping Cortez, she was immortalized
in the history of her people. Spaniards were glad for her help and renamed the
Matlalcueyetl Mountain to La Malinche Mountain in her honor (Wikipedia).
What is also interesting about this
image is that the moon and the sun are there together not just one or the
other. Are these symbols representative of the cosmology of the local natives
or is there a deeper meaning as to why both these symbols are placed together? It
could be a representation of the two civilizations: the Spaniards and the
Natives.
The flowers surrounding her seem to
represent expansion of the conquest. Slowly by eventually the Spanish grab hold
of a beautiful civilization and conquer its vast land. One last thing, if you
notice the vast background is as if Malitizin is standing in a valley. It seems
like this background is representing the long journey Malitizin took in order
to become a strong woman not a traitor who helped break down the barriers of
communication in order to create peace between the Natives and the Spanish.
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