Malintzin's Choices Analysis

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Recommended: Impacts of colonialism in Native America

Malintzin was an indigenous woman of Nahua who, despite all odds, thrived throughout the Spanish conquest of the Americas. The story of Malintzin is beautifully and elegantly portrayed in Camilla Townsend’s novel, Malintzin’s Choices. Townsend discusses the life of Malintzin and debunks the myths associated with the era of conquest, as well as signifies the grandeur manifested within her time period. In determining Malintzin’s unique characteristics which allowed her survive and prosper throughout the conquest of mexico, one must assess the social, political, and psychological feats depicted through Malintzin’s journey. The traits that led to Malintzin to her uttermost success prevailed through: her intelligence, her charm and beauty, her loyalty, and her courage. Thus, the life of Malintzin does, in fact, represent a story that should inspire and exhilarate those who espouse for the ideals of growth and prosperity. First, Malintzin was a very intelligent woman, as she used her keen thinking to escape conflict and save her from certain failure. Malintzin was born in Nahua within the Valley of Mexico speaking her native language, Nahuatl. Later on, …show more content…

Malintzin’s 4 traits: intelligence, beauty, loyalty, and courage allowed her to pursue her amelioration of life by becoming the powerful woman figure alongside Cortés. Malintzin’s actions prove to be historically important as she was the “queen pawn” in winning the game of chess. Malintzin’s key role in history facilitated the Spanish conquests and resulted in Spanish victory. Her story proved to be one of a woman who made the best of her situation to become one of the most influential figures in Mexican history. In closing, Malintzin was a woman who proved that, despite all odds, she could turn her life around while surviving the Spanish conquest and achieving perfect welfare and

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