Does Townsend consider Malintzin exceeptional or typical? Do you agree with Townsend? In other words, do you consider her exceptional, typical, or something else?
Townsend considers Malintzin to be an exceptional woman. Although she has been through a lot, for example being sold into slavery twice, she still continued her life even after the considerable betrayals. Malintzin was portrayed as a woman of a lot of intelligence by Townsend. Townsend stated that Malintzin could have had kids at an earlier age but she chose not to in order to take further advantage of things before she settled down. She is also exceptional in the fact that she knew many languages and she also sought after learning Spanish and she did. She wanted to become indispensable to the Spanish and she achieved that. In my opinion, Malintzin was an exceptional woman. The way she decided to speak up and help the Spanish even though people saw that as a betrayal was the way to become somebody greater in Malintzin's eyes. Learning another language, besides the ones she already knew portrays Malintzin as an ambitious woman who didn't let her past of being sold into slavery affect her. Malintzin was a great woman, nowhere near typical.
I don't know if I would quite say that she considered her exceptional. I would characterize her tone as determinately bias toward the side of Mlintzin, but her constant reminders throughout the first half of the book that we can't really know what happened to her definitely shows a level of realism. When Townsend goes into several versions what may have lead to a certain decision made by milintzin she really uses it as an opportunity to paint the cultural landscape. By just the facts of Malintzins life I think that she certainly earns the respect of the readership and I think Townsend knows this which again, I think is a reason for her to keep saying that there isn't enough evidence. The facts really make her seem like an impressive person she was a translator, high ranking officials asked for her opinion, and she gained the un-official title Dona Marina. Thats a pretty impressive list of feets right there especially for someone who is not only basically a slave but also a women between two patriarchal societies. (I know women roles were different and held in high regard but I would still argue they are patriarchal.) So to sum it up I think she respects her yes, but I think that I'm going to have to agree with Timothy Biscula. I believe she really sees these Malitzin as someone who had circumstance thrust upon her, and the Spanish would have eventually found a translator even if it hadn't been her.
Townsend explicitly states that she does not wish to portray Malintzin within a “great man” narrative. “The young Malinche is indeed of crucial importance in the conquest,” Townsend writes, “but it is also a picture of a world in which there were many potential Malinches.” In fact, Townsend is sure that “had [Malinche] not existed, some other Spaniard on some other expedition would have come across another woman much like Malinche” (6). I find that Townsend holds true to her goal and I believe it was the correct tack to take. Townsend points out what Malinche does well while explaining the framework within Malinche made her choices. The question of agency was brought up in class and is particularly relevant to Townsend’s depiction of Malinche. She does not declare her an exceptional woman, rather a woman who took advantage of common conditions exceptionally well. Primarily, Malinche was a studious learner. “Her later ability to manipulate courtly language…as well as her aplomb in the face of royalty and her clear-sighted understanding of the Mexica political arrangements all indicate that she was raised in a nobleman’s household,” Townsend concludes (14). She stepped forward to interpret for the emissaries of Moctezuma when she “could have remained silent,” and made an effort to learn Spanish herself to better serve Cortes. Malintzin adjusted her tone and style depending on the audience (59) and capably bargained for a husband (154).
However, as Townsend stresses in the Introduction, there were many possible Malinches. What is sure is that she took advantage of her situations and “made her value felt” (41). This is why Townsend cannot be categorized as writing a history of “exceptional men.” Great Man history portrays such heroes as appointed by destiny who accomplish a task for which all history has prepared them. This was not the case with Malinche, at least according to Townsend, a depiction with which I agree.
Townsend considered Malintzin to be exceptional and even makes comments to that accord throughout the book. On page 3, Townsend stated that "she was clearly a resourceful and intelligent young woman, a survivor". Townsend gave credence to Malintinzin's intellect when she spoke throughout the book about her ability to acquire languages and convey the meanings and politics of the situations at hand. I would agree with Townsend, I believe that Malintzin was intelligent, exceptional, brave, and a survivor within a time that was rapidly changing. There are critics to this point of view as Townsend accurately addresses when she stated that the "Mexican people have not forgiven La Malinche for her betrayal." (p. 4) Again, I can understand where these feelings toward her might arise among the Mexican people. After all, as Townsend has pointed out there is not one single, diary left behind from Malintzin and we must rely on Spanish and native accounts regarding who we think she actually was and what choices she might have faced. This creates a mystery about the true nature of her character. Furhter, Townsend stated that "Malinztin literally stood at the heart of these negotiations." (p. 63) This statement referred to the in depth nature of Malinztin's role in getting the Tlaxcalan people to align themselves with Cortes a crucial factor in the conquest. Townsend added that the memory of her and the importance of her as a translator was revealed in the images in which the natives place Malinztin in the heart of the picture, in front of Cortes, and as a central respected figure. Townsend provided many Spanish accounts of Malinztin and most of them favorable with the exception of Aguilar. Of course, Aguilar had personal motives to discredit Malintzin when given the opportunity. The notion that the Spanish mentioned her at all provides more evidence of her importance to the conquest. The Spanish respected her and according to Townsend the natives did as well. Overall, I would agree that Malintzin was intelligent and exceptional. She rose above her status in a time that was difficult for the Spanish and the natives, especially for women. Malintzin made choices that must have been very difficult for her, but it appears that she didn't simply want to just live. Perhaps, she wanted to become something greater and that she achieved.
When analyzing Townsend’s writing on Malintzin one can conclude that Townsend believes that Malintzin is an exceptional individual. What makes Malintzin exceptional in the eyes of Townsend is her level of intelligence and her talent to translate between languages. When combined, her talents give her an ability to adapt to situations that she may be placed in. It would appear at first that her position in society as a slave in a foreign land would have in some way demoralized her to the point of accepting her position while making no attempt to achieve any other status. But, with Malintzin the opposite is true and she is able to overcome her status as slave at the time of contact with Cortes and use her exceptional translating abilities to propel her to the position of chief translator for the Spanish expedition. I find Malintzin to be an exceptional individual for similar reasons. Malintzin used her intellect to survive in world where politics and alliances were always changing. Malintzin was able to quickly understand that the Spanish expedition may have been comprised of a small force but that they represented a new power, one capable of matching if not exceeding the military strength of the Mexica. Owing no allegiance to the Mexica, Malintzin understood that the Spanish would soon be the hegemon in the region and that it would benefit her to align her interests to those of the Spanish. What made her even more exceptional was that she challenged the traditional gender roles in Mesoamerica. She could have easily remained silent after she was given to the Spanish and live her life as a domestic servant, but, instead she chose to do the opposite.
I believe Townsend considers Malintzin to be an exceptional woman in history. Her origins are nothing exceptional, being one of countless others in similar circumstances. Yet what she does within the constraints of her position is nothing short of extraordinary. Among the many women given to Cortes she distinguished herself through her talents and behavior and soon rose to a distinguished place unlike any other held by a person in her position. Townsend attempts to show us that Malintzin did not receive this consideration because of some sort of amorous motives. Though she was almost surely beautiful, this alone would not elevate her to such esteem. Her tenacity in showing her indispensability separated her from those around her. She experienced things that no other person in her social standing would experience, not for her pleasure, but because her worth was evident to the Spanish men she surrounded herself with. She addressed rulers and highborn of the native lands not just as an interpreter but as her own voic. Hers were the words that spoke their fate and moved them to action. She traveled to many lands with Cortes and stayed with him in lavish accommodations being much better provided for than other women of her standing. She traveled overseas to Spain as an asset of great consideration to many powerful figures there. Her experiences are one that few among millions experienced, and was born entirely of her own intellect and initiative. To have accomplished this is truly exceptional.
I believe Townsend considers Malintzin to be exceptional starting with the fact that she found her to be important enough to write a book about. She stood out among the natives due to her willingness to speak out during an opportunity that she perceived would better her current living conditions. Not many women of her kind would have taken the opportunity to not only aid the Spanish but voluntarily do so, at least on the surface. Part of what made her exceptional was the cunningness and bravery that allowed her to warn the natives not to fight or risk sever defeat at the hands of the Spanish. Furthermore, she was also able to acquire different languages during her time, something previously unseen not only in a woman but in the native population due to the perceived inferiority complex. She has a child of Cortes and is portrayed many different modern pieces of art thereby exemplifying the importance she had to World history as a whole. Native women were never portrayed in a dominant form as Malintzin has historically been. Therefore, the role of Malintzin defies the Black legend as a whole. The Spanish may have been evil, but the natives were anything but helpless. Over the course of history, it has been discovered that native Americans had civilized societies and more complex forms of thinking than had been previously assumed. Malinztin truly embodied that with her role in the conquest for both the natives and the Spanish thus carving a role for herself as an exceptional woman.
Townsend considers Malintzin to be an exceptional woman. Although she has been through a lot, for example being sold into slavery twice, she still continued her life even after the considerable betrayals. Malintzin was portrayed as a woman of a lot of intelligence by Townsend. Townsend stated that Malintzin could have had kids at an earlier age but she chose not to in order to take further advantage of things before she settled down. She is also exceptional in the fact that she knew many languages and she also sought after learning Spanish and she did. She wanted to become indispensable to the Spanish and she achieved that.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Malintzin was an exceptional woman. The way she decided to speak up and help the Spanish even though people saw that as a betrayal was the way to become somebody greater in Malintzin's eyes. Learning another language, besides the ones she already knew portrays Malintzin as an ambitious woman who didn't let her past of being sold into slavery affect her. Malintzin was a great woman, nowhere near typical.
I don't know if I would quite say that she considered her exceptional. I would characterize her tone as determinately bias toward the side of Mlintzin, but her constant reminders throughout the first half of the book that we can't really know what happened to her definitely shows a level of realism. When Townsend goes into several versions what may have lead to a certain decision made by milintzin she really uses it as an opportunity to paint the cultural landscape. By just the facts of Malintzins life I think that she certainly earns the respect of the readership and I think Townsend knows this which again, I think is a reason for her to keep saying that there isn't enough evidence. The facts really make her seem like an impressive person she was a translator, high ranking officials asked for her opinion, and she gained the un-official title Dona Marina. Thats a pretty impressive list of feets right there especially for someone who is not only basically a slave but also a women between two patriarchal societies. (I know women roles were different and held in high regard but I would still argue they are patriarchal.) So to sum it up I think she respects her yes, but I think that I'm going to have to agree with Timothy Biscula. I believe she really sees these Malitzin as someone who had circumstance thrust upon her, and the Spanish would have eventually found a translator even if it hadn't been her.
DeleteTownsend explicitly states that she does not wish to portray Malintzin within a “great man” narrative. “The young Malinche is indeed of crucial importance in the conquest,” Townsend writes, “but it is also a picture of a world in which there were many potential Malinches.” In fact, Townsend is sure that “had [Malinche] not existed, some other Spaniard on some other expedition would have come across another woman much like Malinche” (6). I find that Townsend holds true to her goal and I believe it was the correct tack to take. Townsend points out what Malinche does well while explaining the framework within Malinche made her choices. The question of agency was brought up in class and is particularly relevant to Townsend’s depiction of Malinche. She does not declare her an exceptional woman, rather a woman who took advantage of common conditions exceptionally well. Primarily, Malinche was a studious learner. “Her later ability to manipulate courtly language…as well as her aplomb in the face of royalty and her clear-sighted understanding of the Mexica political arrangements all indicate that she was raised in a nobleman’s household,” Townsend concludes (14). She stepped forward to interpret for the emissaries of Moctezuma when she “could have remained silent,” and made an effort to learn Spanish herself to better serve Cortes. Malintzin adjusted her tone and style depending on the audience (59) and capably bargained for a husband (154).
ReplyDeleteHowever, as Townsend stresses in the Introduction, there were many possible Malinches. What is sure is that she took advantage of her situations and “made her value felt” (41). This is why Townsend cannot be categorized as writing a history of “exceptional men.” Great Man history portrays such heroes as appointed by destiny who accomplish a task for which all history has prepared them. This was not the case with Malinche, at least according to Townsend, a depiction with which I agree.
Townsend considered Malintzin to be exceptional and even makes comments to that accord throughout the book. On page 3, Townsend stated that "she was clearly a resourceful and intelligent young woman, a survivor". Townsend gave credence to Malintinzin's intellect when she spoke throughout the book about her ability to acquire languages and convey the meanings and politics of the situations at hand. I would agree with Townsend, I believe that Malintzin was intelligent, exceptional, brave, and a survivor within a time that was rapidly changing.
ReplyDeleteThere are critics to this point of view as Townsend accurately addresses when she stated that the "Mexican people have not forgiven La Malinche for her betrayal." (p. 4) Again, I can understand where these feelings toward her might arise among the Mexican people. After all, as Townsend has pointed out there is not one single, diary left behind from Malintzin and we must rely on Spanish and native accounts regarding who we think she actually was and what choices she might have faced. This creates a mystery about the true nature of her character.
Furhter, Townsend stated that "Malinztin literally stood at the heart of these negotiations." (p. 63) This statement referred to the in depth nature of Malinztin's role in getting the Tlaxcalan people to align themselves with Cortes a crucial factor in the conquest. Townsend added that the memory of her and the importance of her as a translator was revealed in the images in which the natives place Malinztin in the heart of the picture, in front of Cortes, and as a central respected figure.
Townsend provided many Spanish accounts of Malinztin and most of them favorable with the exception of Aguilar. Of course, Aguilar had personal motives to discredit Malintzin when given the opportunity. The notion that the Spanish mentioned her at all provides more evidence of her importance to the conquest. The Spanish respected her and according to Townsend the natives did as well.
Overall, I would agree that Malintzin was intelligent and exceptional. She rose above her status in a time that was difficult for the Spanish and the natives, especially for women. Malintzin made choices that must have been very difficult for her, but it appears that she didn't simply want to just live. Perhaps, she wanted to become something greater and that she achieved.
When analyzing Townsend’s writing on Malintzin one can conclude that Townsend believes that Malintzin is an exceptional individual. What makes Malintzin exceptional in the eyes of Townsend is her level of intelligence and her talent to translate between languages. When combined, her talents give her an ability to adapt to situations that she may be placed in. It would appear at first that her position in society as a slave in a foreign land would have in some way demoralized her to the point of accepting her position while making no attempt to achieve any other status. But, with Malintzin the opposite is true and she is able to overcome her status as slave at the time of contact with Cortes and use her exceptional translating abilities to propel her to the position of chief translator for the Spanish expedition.
ReplyDeleteI find Malintzin to be an exceptional individual for similar reasons. Malintzin used her intellect to survive in world where politics and alliances were always changing. Malintzin was able to quickly understand that the Spanish expedition may have been comprised of a small force but that they represented a new power, one capable of matching if not exceeding the military strength of the Mexica. Owing no allegiance to the Mexica, Malintzin understood that the Spanish would soon be the hegemon in the region and that it would benefit her to align her interests to those of the Spanish. What made her even more exceptional was that she challenged the traditional gender roles in Mesoamerica. She could have easily remained silent after she was given to the Spanish and live her life as a domestic servant, but, instead she chose to do the opposite.
I believe Townsend considers Malintzin to be an exceptional woman in history. Her origins are nothing exceptional, being one of countless others in similar circumstances. Yet what she does within the constraints of her position is nothing short of extraordinary. Among the many women given to Cortes she distinguished herself through her talents and behavior and soon rose to a distinguished place unlike any other held by a person in her position. Townsend attempts to show us that Malintzin did not receive this consideration because of some sort of amorous motives. Though she was almost surely beautiful, this alone would not elevate her to such esteem. Her tenacity in showing her indispensability separated her from those around her. She experienced things that no other person in her social standing would experience, not for her pleasure, but because her worth was evident to the Spanish men she surrounded herself with. She addressed rulers and highborn of the native lands not just as an interpreter but as her own voic. Hers were the words that spoke their fate and moved them to action. She traveled to many lands with Cortes and stayed with him in lavish accommodations being much better provided for than other women of her standing. She traveled overseas to Spain as an asset of great consideration to many powerful figures there. Her experiences are one that few among millions experienced, and was born entirely of her own intellect and initiative. To have accomplished this is truly exceptional.
ReplyDeleteI believe Townsend considers Malintzin to be exceptional starting with the fact that she found her to be important enough to write a book about. She stood out among the natives due to her willingness to speak out during an opportunity that she perceived would better her current living conditions. Not many women of her kind would have taken the opportunity to not only aid the Spanish but voluntarily do so, at least on the surface. Part of what made her exceptional was the cunningness and bravery that allowed her to warn the natives not to fight or risk sever defeat at the hands of the Spanish. Furthermore, she was also able to acquire different languages during her time, something previously unseen not only in a woman but in the native population due to the perceived inferiority complex. She has a child of Cortes and is portrayed many different modern pieces of art thereby exemplifying the importance she had to World history as a whole. Native women were never portrayed in a dominant form as Malintzin has historically been. Therefore, the role of Malintzin defies the Black legend as a whole. The Spanish may have been evil, but the natives were anything but helpless. Over the course of history, it has been discovered that native Americans had civilized societies and more complex forms of thinking than had been previously assumed. Malinztin truly embodied that with her role in the conquest for both the natives and the Spanish thus carving a role for herself as an exceptional woman.
ReplyDelete