Exploring the Text

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  1. In the “proem,” what purpose or purposes does Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca claim for his narrative? What ethos does he establish? Pay special attention to his qualification that “neither my counsel nor my constancy availed to gain aught for which we set out” (par. 3) and his ending plea that the narrative be “received in the name of homage, since it is the most that one could bring who returned thence naked” (par. 4).

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - In the “proem,” what purpose or purposes does Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca claim for his narrative? What ethos does he establish? Pay special attention to his qualification that “neither my counsel nor my constancy availed to gain aught for which we set out” (par. 3) and his ending plea that the narrative be “received in the name of homage, since it is the most that one could bring who returned thence naked” (par. 4).
  2. What details of the customs and practices of the indigenous people does Cabeza de Vaca emphasize? In his descriptions of the different cultures he encounters, what evidence do you find of his admiration? Of his criticism or disapproval? Of uncertainty or ambivalence?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What details of the customs and practices of the indigenous people does Cabeza de Vaca emphasize? In his descriptions of the different cultures he encounters, what evidence do you find of his admiration? Of his criticism or disapproval? Of uncertainty or ambivalence?
  3. What is the response of Cabeza de Vaca and his crew to the expectation that they would act as physicians or healers (pars. 8–10)? What different views of “healing” are revealed in this account?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What is the response of Cabeza de Vaca and his crew to the expectation that they would act as physicians or healers (pars. 8–10)? What different views of “healing” are revealed in this account?
  4. Cabeza de Vaca learns to appreciate cultures and rituals different from his own, yet there are lines—for example, “other strange customs” (par. 13)—that his own background and beliefs will not allow him to cross. Identify two examples and explain the nature of his resistance.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Cabeza de Vaca learns to appreciate cultures and rituals different from his own, yet there are lines—for example, “other strange customs” (par. 13)—that his own background and beliefs will not allow him to cross. Identify two examples and explain the nature of his resistance.
  5. Since he does not outright renounce his Christian beliefs, how does Cabeza de Vaca reconcile the behavior of his fellow Christians? To what extent does the behavior of the Spanish slave traders in Chapters 33 and 34 shake the faith of Cabeza de Vaca?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Since he does not outright renounce his Christian beliefs, how does Cabeza de Vaca reconcile the behavior of his fellow Christians? To what extent does the behavior of the Spanish slave traders in Chapters 33 and 34 shake the faith of Cabeza de Vaca?
  6. In what instances do you find Cabeza de Vaca portraying himself and members of his expedition in a particularly flattering light? Do these detract from his relatively enlightened view of the indigenous peoples’ behavior and beliefs?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - In what instances do you find Cabeza de Vaca portraying himself and members of his expedition in a particularly flattering light? Do these detract from his relatively enlightened view of the indigenous peoples’ behavior and beliefs?
  7. Cabeza de Vaca is seen in many different roles in this narrative, among them as conquistador, shaman, captive, diplomat, and missionary. From these excerpts, do you see him juggling multiple, in some cases contradictory, roles, or do you read the narrative as a journey of spiritual growth from one role to a very different one? Cite specific passages to support your viewpoint.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Cabeza de Vaca is seen in many different roles in this narrative, among them as conquistador, shaman, captive, diplomat, and missionary. From these excerpts, do you see him juggling multiple, in some cases contradictory, roles, or do you read the narrative as a journey of spiritual growth from one role to a very different one? Cite specific passages to support your viewpoint.
  8. What strategies does Cabeza de Vaca employ to establish authenticity in his narrative? As you respond, consider his stated audience—Emperor Charles V—and his larger audience of people becoming acquainted with the New World through this narrative.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What strategies does Cabeza de Vaca employ to establish authenticity in his narrative? As you respond, consider his stated audience—Emperor Charles V—and his larger audience of people becoming acquainted with the New World through this narrative.
  9. Cabeza de Vaca’s narrative is simultaneously a documentary account of a lived experience and an attempt to interpret it and give it meaning. Identify one or two places where the more anthropological style of the account gives way to interpretation, and discuss the effect of these two rhetorical purposes in combination. Is the result a confusing or a more powerful description?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Cabeza de Vaca’s narrative is simultaneously a documentary account of a lived experience and an attempt to interpret it and give it meaning. Identify one or two places where the more anthropological style of the account gives way to interpretation, and discuss the effect of these two rhetorical purposes in combination. Is the result a confusing or a more powerful description?
  10. Cabeza de Vaca continues to be the subject of discussion, debate, and reconstruction. Following is an image of him by the twentieth-century southwestern artist Ted DeGrazía (1909–1982). DeGrazía did a series of paintings about Cabeza de Vaca and his journey. What elements of the explorer’s personality and narrative does the artist emphasize in this interpretation? To what extent does the visual depiction capture Cabeza de Vaca as you imagine him from your reading?
    image
    Ettore (Ted) DeGrazía, Trading, Traveling, and Mosquitoes, 1973, oil on canvas, 8” × 11”.
    Courtesy of DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, DeGrazia Foundation, Tucson, Arizona. All Rights Reserved.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Cabeza de Vaca continues to be the subject of discussion, debate, and reconstruction. Following is an image of him by the twentieth-century southwestern artist Ted DeGrazía (1909–1982). DeGrazía did a series of paintings about Cabeza de Vaca and his journey. What elements of the explorer’s personality and narrative does the artist emphasize in this interpretation? To what extent does the visual depiction capture Cabeza de Vaca as you imagine him from your reading?