A region of losses and mistakes, but a site for elation and inspiration, history holds the many profound stories of the past. Historians and enthusiasts alike have placed tremendous efforts into constructing an accurate timeline of the past, but most efforts have gone unsuccessful—the biased nature of the recording of history has painted many false images. Often favoring the victors, the past has been represented in a very linear fashion, leaving out the intricate complexities of former societies. Historical figures have been rather selfish about concealing the truth regarding the past, leaving conflicts and cultures defenseless against erasure. The removal of significant events from history has been a critical influence on the portrayal and
…show more content…
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word erase is capable of vast, drastic measures. Tragic outbreaks, devastating conflicts, and cultural identities, though crucial to the truths of the past, have been erased from most historical archives. Because of their desires to mold the future generation’s perception of the past, historical figures manipulated timelines of events and arranged which stories would be recorded and which would be forgotten. The narrative of Cabeza de Vaca is expected to be an honest recount of the atmosphere of early colonial America, but similar to most historical accounts, it is biased and ignorant. The word erase takes on several meanings in Cabeza de Vaca’s tales—from the expunction of the true state of indigenous societies to the obliteration of the honest details of his journeys, it is unclear how reliable the Spaniard’s accounts …show more content…
Though the word erase itself is not found in the text, its presence is significant towards the interpretation of the historical timeline of events. Cabeza de Vaca’s relationship with the native groups is very different from such between other Spaniards and the indigenous people, as the former lived with and earned the respect of the inhabitants of the New World. When Cabeza de Vaca came in contact with other Christians, they “had many and bitter quarrels...for [the Christians] wanted to make slaves of [the] Indians” (Cabeza de Vaca 95). Indeed, Cabeza de Vaca had a close and respected relationship with the indigenous groups, one which stopped him from inflicting physical harm upon them, but his loyalty to the Spanish Crown obliterated his humanity and led him to erase the true accounts of the native groups in his narrative. Not only did he erase the true essence of life in the Americas, but he also erased his own perceptions of compassion and humility. Cabeza de Vaca’s recollections are filled with biases and exaggerations, factors which ultimately erased the credibility of his
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word erase is capable of vast, drastic measures. Tragic outbreaks, devastating conflicts, and cultural identities, though crucial to the truths of the past, have been erased from most historical archives. Because of their desires to mold the future generation’s perception of the past, historical figures manipulated timelines of events and arranged which stories would be recorded and which would be forgotten. The narrative of Cabeza de Vaca is expected to be an honest recount of the atmosphere of early colonial America, but similar to most historical accounts, it is biased and ignorant. The word erase takes on several meanings in Cabeza de Vaca’s tales—from the expunction of the true state of indigenous societies to the obliteration of the honest details of his journeys, it is unclear how reliable the Spaniard’s accounts …show more content…
Though the word erase itself is not found in the text, its presence is significant towards the interpretation of the historical timeline of events. Cabeza de Vaca’s relationship with the native groups is very different from such between other Spaniards and the indigenous people, as the former lived with and earned the respect of the inhabitants of the New World. When Cabeza de Vaca came in contact with other Christians, they “had many and bitter quarrels...for [the Christians] wanted to make slaves of [the] Indians” (Cabeza de Vaca 95). Indeed, Cabeza de Vaca had a close and respected relationship with the indigenous groups, one which stopped him from inflicting physical harm upon them, but his loyalty to the Spanish Crown obliterated his humanity and led him to erase the true accounts of the native groups in his narrative. Not only did he erase the true essence of life in the Americas, but he also erased his own perceptions of compassion and humility. Cabeza de Vaca’s recollections are filled with biases and exaggerations, factors which ultimately erased the credibility of his