Malintzin was the indigenous woman who translated for Hernando
Corts in his dealings with the Aztec emperor Moctezuma in the days
of 1519 to 1521. "Malintzin," at least, was what the Indians called
her. The Spanish called her do?a Marina, and she has become known
to posterity as La Malinche. As Malinche, she has long been
regarded as a traitor to her people, a dangerously sexy, scheming
woman who gave Corts whatever he wanted out of her own
self-interest.
The life of the real woman, however, was much more complicated.
She was sold into slavery as a child, and eventually given away to
the Spanish as a concubine and cook. If she managed to make
something more out of her lifeand she didit is difficult to say at
what point she did wrong. In getting to know the trials and
intricacies with which Malintzins life was laced, we gain new
respect for her steely courage, as well as for the bravery and
quick thinking demonstrated by many other Native Americans in the
earliest period of contact with Europeans.In this study of
Malintzins life, Camilla Townsend rejects all the previous myths
and tries to restore dignity to the profoundly human men and women
who lived and died in those days. Drawing on Spanish and Aztec
language sources, she breathes new life into an old tale, and
offers insights into the major issues of conquest and colonization,
including technology and violence, resistance and accommodation,
gender and power.
Beautifully written, deeply researched, and with an innovative
focus, "Malintzin's Choices" will become a classic. Townsend deftly
walks the fine line between historical documentation and informed
speculation to rewrite the history of theconquest of Mexico.
Weaving indigenous and Spanish sources the author not only provides
contextual depth to understanding Malintzins critical role as
translator and cultural interpreter for Cortes, but in the process
she illuminates the broader panorama of choices experienced by both
indigenous and Spanish participants. This work not only provides
revisionst grist for experts, but will become a required and a
popular reading for undergraduates, whether in colonial surveys or
in specialty courses."--Ann Twinam, professor of history,
University of Texas, Austin
"In this beautifully written and engrossing story of a
controversial figure in Mexican history, Camilla Townsend does a
wonderful job unraveling the multiple myths about Malintzin
(Marina, Malinche), and placing her within her culture, her
choices, and the tumultuous times in which she lived. The result is
a portrayal of Malintzin as a complex human being forced by
circumstances to confront change and adaptation in order to
survive."Susan M. Socolow, Emory University
"Camilla Townsend's text reads beautifully. She has a capacity
to express complex ideas in simple, elegant language. This book
consists of an interweaving of many strands of analysis. Malinche
appears as symbol, as a historical conundrum, and as an actor in
one of historys most fascinating dramas. The reader follows
Malinche but all the while learns about the Nahuas' world. It is a
book that will be extremely valuable for classrooms but also makes
an important contribution to the academic literature."Sonya
Lipsett-Rivera, professor of history, Carleton University
General
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