Analysis of “The Narrative of Cabeza de Vaca”

In “The Narrative of Cabeza de Vaca,” Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca’s recounts a dramatic story of the 1527 expedition to North America, where voyagers had to survive against the many odds while being deprived of the basic necessities in life. His experience brought an insight into the history of America, as well as Spain, as it revealed a certain equilibrium between the “mighty” and “superior” Spaniard and the Indian. Throughout the narrative the idea of bareness conveys the trials and tribulations he experienced, in addition to a sort of stability between him and the Indians.

His intentions of conquering and re-populating the area between Florida and a northern part of Mexico was quickly afflicted and replaced with his need to survive. As he encounters different Indian tribes and seems to develop an ability to get along with them he begins to display his shift in morals, and in his Christian faith helped turned what seemed like a failure into a victory against all odds.

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Furthermore, throughout the narrative (as the years passed) we are able to see how these circumstances provoke a change in Cabeza de Vaca, including his motive, character, and perspective towards civilization.

The essence of of the Narvaez expedition was intended to be like other Spanish explorations to the New World, the Spaniards goal was to scout out the land of Florida and potentially conquer it for the nation of Spain. The explorers had the motive to control any natives they encountered and to reap of the wealth and materials they came across.

However, from the start things did not go as planned, as they arrived at the western coastline of Florida they were exposed with a great storm. Yet after being guided by Indians, they found the settlement called Apachale, here we were given an insight into Cabeza de Vaca’s conquerist mindset, “There we found a great quantity of maize that was ready to be harvested, as well as much that they had dried and stored” (64). Throughout this section Cabeza de Vaca is inspecting the land and taking note of all the possible benefits for Spain, here the motives of Cabeza de Vaca and the Spaniards’ were still driven by the search of gold and food being convinced that it was nearby. We could see this objective as they walk through different lands; pointing out any probable gain. Nevertheless, this motive is soon affected as sickness and hunger began to plague the adventurers and low resources began to affect the men who then became ill and unable to go on. Cabeza de Vaca started to realize the trouble they were in, “I refrain here from telling this at greater length because each one can imagine for himself what could happen in a land so strange and so poor and so lacking in every single things that it seemed impossible either to be in it or to escape from it” (70-71).This statement is the moment where Cabeza de Vaca realized the conquest had officially failed, and their fight for survival began. He set aside any thought of scouting out the lands and conquering and instead focused on a way to survive (and later having his motive be the Christianizing movement). Admitting that he was in a weak state showed that he was vulnerable enough to realize the voyage was failing, this vulnerability then gave way for his character to alter.

Initially, Cabeza de Vaca uses demeaning ways to describe the natives and their customs, however throughout the years he is exposed to some of their culture and becomes more comfortable with them causing a shift in his character. The superiority of Spaniards is a message introduced early in the voyage, “...and it seems to me that it would be very productive land if it were worked and inhabited by men of reason” (112). Cabeza de Vaca implies that the land would prosper if it was under guidance of Spaniards which he considered to be known as “men of reason” in contrast to the natives. Implying that the natives had no reason supported the claim in which they called them “barbarous,” incapable of taking care or advantage of their land (46). Since the Spaniards were Christian they believed to be superior to the natives who had their own beliefs, going as far as stating that they were in need of “knowledge of the true faith” (47). The use of terms created a clear distinction in the hierarchy between the voyagers and natives, Cabeza de Vaca already seemed to have his mind set on what he believed the natives were like. The view he had towards the natives later began to fluctuate as he made an important sacrifice to adapt with native traditions and become a healer. Cabeza de Vaca never saw himself becoming a healer coming, yet this role allowed him to have an open mind on his characterization towards the native people. When being introduced to the the natives’ healing rituals all the Spanish voyagers did was mock them, as they believed these traditions to be ridiculous. Recalling his initial reaction to being a medicine man was one of negativity: “And they demanded that we do the same and make ourselves useful. We laughed about this, saying that it was mockery and that we did not know how to cure” (93). But since they needed to survive, Cabeza de Vaca and the others were coerce into attempting healing. He managed to combine some aspects of Christianity into the native rituals:

The manner in which we performed cures was by making the sign of the cross over them and blowing on them, and praying Pater Noster and an Ave Maria, and as best we could, beseeching our Lord God that he grant them health and move them to treat us well. (94)

He then states that God restored health to all they prayed over, thus earning the Indians’ deep respect. This respect and success in healing allowed them to be treated well by the Indians, as the Indians sacrificed their food for them, Cabeza de Vaca was able to level down with them. As he met many tribes during the eight years, Cabeza the Vaca was able to interact with them in such a way were he was exposed to many of their customs. By being a part of their customs he was able to slowly become more accepting of the natives in a way that shocked other Christians,“And the next morning I reached four Christians on horseback who experienced great shock upon seeing me so strangely dressed and in company of Indians” (159). Later on he also uses words such as; “diligent” and “well equipped” to describe them (154). There is no doubt that, as he came to more fully understand and appreciate the native cultures his initial view altered. He went from using terms like “these” people into dressing and being comfortable around them (77). This was a major character change for Cabeza de Vaca as it displayed that he was getting along with them, leading to his change in perspective towards the civilization.

The change in his motive and character was small steps leading to Cabeza de Vaca’s change in outlook on the civilization in North America. As his character and motives changed he began to find a greater need to convert the Indians into Christians. Unlike others Cabeza de Vaca grew an understanding for their culture and now thought they were smart enough to learn about God: “And we found such great readiness in them, that if we had an interpreter through whom we could have understood each other perfectly, we would have left all of them Christians” (154).

It is significant that he affirms the Indians’ ability to comprehend and willingness to accept. Not only did he take on the task of ministering to the Indians, but he also became more aware of the death and destruction the Indians suffered at the hands of other Christians. This is a huge change in his perspective towards civilization in contrary to earlier in the expedition in which the Spaniards excused themselves and stated “they had to turn on them” (60). Before, he felt the need to ‘defend’ themselves from the natives yet now he is saddened to see the land ruined and its inhabitants tormented, and the fact that many Indians fear outsiders because of the cruelty inflicted on them by other Christians (156-7). “And we said to the Indians that we were going to look for them to tell them not to kill them or take them for slaves, nor should they take them out of their lands,” he says, and “they rejoiced very much to hear this” (156). Cabeza de Vaca now wanted great change for the Indians, he turned his mission and motive into one that helped them out. Although, one might say that Cabeza de Vaca still “demanded” and “ordered” the Indians around, it is clear that he did it in order to secure the Indians’ stability and not theirs. He did what he could to help the natives and keep them from harm, as far as to address the King of Spain directly: —it is clearly seen that all these peoples, to be drawn to become Christians and to obedience of the Imperial Majesty, must be given good treatment , and that this is the path most certain and no other. (157)

This is the epitome of what has gradually become his new perspective toward the Indians and his purpose in the expedition.

In conclusion, Cabeza de Vaca underwent mand North America. With undergoing many difficulties his intentions of conquering were replaced with survival motives and later his need to help the Indians. Furthermore, Cabeza de Vaca’s role as a healer not only earned the natives’ respect, but it allowed him to develop a relationship with and a greater understanding of them and their culture. With this greater understanding we see his change in persona, going from superiority to a more compassionate state, changing his whole perception on the civilization. It is safe to say that Cabeza de Vaca transformation through the narrative displayed how he came out a better man.

References

• ThoughtCo: Facts About Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
• Britannica: Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
• Baylor University: 16th Century Spanish Explorer Cabeza de Vaca Subject of New Research Exhibit at Baylor Libraries