Silenced Voices

Townsend, Prescott and Cronon each write from a distinctly different point of view, and establish a different set of contexts for discussing indigenous people (as well as other historical players).  Townsend specifically states that while her book is about Malintzin, it is “an exploration of indigenous experience in her era”.   Prescott writes about Cortez with a Spanish or European point of view; the experience of the indigenous people is secondary to the history of the Spanish conquest.  Cronin writes from an environmental point of view, focused on the ecological impact of the actions of both European and Indians in 18^th century New England.

Since Townsend was writing the biography of Malintzin, she provides great detail on the conquest of Mexico in the 16^th century as it might have been experienced by Malintzin and the other Indian people.  Despite not having any letters or papers written by Malintzin, she creates a strong case for who Malintzin was, why she chose to support Cortez, and how she came to be such a powerful and successful woman.  In comparison, Prescott presents her in relationship to Cortez; “Cortes, who appreciated the value of her services from the first, made her his interpreter, then his secretary, and, won by her charms, his mistress.” (214)   She is little more than a footnote to the accomplishments of Cortez.  Prescott also makes the statement that she was well-thought of by Spaniards and Mexicans alike, which Townsend disputes quite vigorously. 

Cronin presents the relationship of both the indigenous Indian and the European settlers to the New England environment; and although the Indians are presented as victims, ravaged by disease, starvation and loss of land, it is all in the context of the ecological systems in New England.

I really liked this book.  One theme that struck me was the importance of language, both to the author and the Malintzin.  For Townsend, the question is always whether the research she is using is accurate, as so much is written by individuals with their own agendas.  Even Cortez, in writing back to the King, made little mention of her or her value, in order to elevate his accomplishments.  For Malintzin, it was her skill and knowledge of language that enabled her success as an interpreter.  But as we know, language is nuanced, particularly when different states or cultures meet – so knowing what was really being said required her to have a heightened understanding of language.  She conversed with all the major actors in the conquest of Mexico, and yet, there is not one single recorded word that she spoke.  Camilla Townsend has done an excellent job of filling in the silence of what must have been a powerful voice.