Role Of Malintzin's Choices: An Indian Woman In The Conquest Of Mexico

In the book, Malintzin's Choices: An Indian Woman in the Conquest of Mexico, Camilla Townsend illustrates the life of an enslaved native American and the choices she had to make during the conquering of her native land. Malintzin was a slave to the Spaniards, and the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes, obtained her by defeating a tribe and winning her as a gift. Cortes originally gave Malintzin to one of his captains, unknowing of her value to translate between the Spanish and indigenous people. Upon learning of her value, he then decided to take her back and keep her alongside him as his intermediary. Throughout the conquering of Mexico, Cortes and Malintzin resulted in having a child together, however Cortes took their son, Don Martin, back to Spain with him leaving Malintzin behind when her values were no longer needed. Cortes then convinced Malintzin to marry another one of his captains, Juan Jamillo, who she eventually had her final child with. Malintzin died within a year after the birth possibly due to complications during birth.
Malintzin played a key role in the conquering of Mexico. Malintzin is such an …show more content…
She had to use multiple sources to portray just how essential she was to the Spanish, and so the author tries to put Malintzin in context of her time and looks into the complexities of Malintzin’s gender and ethnic identities and her role in the conquest. Townsend uses historical facts to try to find reasons for Malintzin’s actions, and also uses biographical and cultural evidence to reveal myths about Malintzin to attempt to clarify what is true about her and what is not. Malintzin’s reputation has changed over time due to changing perceptions perspectives of her, especially since she was often portrayed as an evil woman in many different eyes. Perceptions have changed over time so it makes it hard to figure out who Malintzin actually