Conquest Of Mexico Book Report

The book The Conquest and Discovery of Mexico by Bernal Diaz del Castillo was written in 1517-1521. Bernal del Castillo wrote his narrations while he was a Spanish soldier, who took part in the conquest of Mexico. Bernal provides small and simple narratives of his experience during the conquest of Mexico in chapters XXII and XXIII of his book. In particular, chapter XXII focus on how the Mexican society was different compared to European society in customs such as Christianity; however, chapter XXIII gives an extensive written description of Doña Marina also known as Malintzin.
The source underlines the differences between the traditions of European and Aztec society. Diaz del Castillo gives the impression through his narrative that Spaniards were devoted to religion. In fact, according to Diaz (1517), once they settle in the Aztec territory Cortes told the chiefs from the Tabasco community about their holy faith, that they were Christians and that they deify one true and only god. Interestingly, the Mayas got admired by their traditions and asked Cortes to leave their image of the Mother of …show more content…
According to Diaz (1517), Mexico was filled with precious stones and reaches of gold which emphasis in the lines “ they brought a present of gold, consisting of four diadems and some gold lizards… and two gold soles for sandals” (p.g 1). On the other hand, at the beginning of the narration, he gives emphasis that all the precious stones were worth nothing in comparison to the 20 slaves that were given to them. However, Diaz highlight an important figure that as we discuss in class is part of a historical agency since she had the ability to impact the development of the events of history. Diaz was interested in showing that Doña Marina, was not just a woman among all the slaves that were given to them, but a great woman; both for her nobility as her natural