De Vaca response

Upon reading Cabeza De Vaca I released an exasperated sigh. The title alone in my
opinion screamed TEDIOUS! Despite what I thought, I knew this text would have to be
read, however much to my surprise I ended up enjoying the piece of literature. Alvar
Nunez is a young explorer similar to Columbus, in that he was determined to reach a
goal and he was a poor leader. Cabeza De Vaca (family surname) was given to the
family, after his ancestor used a cow’s head to mark an unguarded mountain trail. Alvar
was very interested in upholding the prestigious family name; He became a fearless war
man and provost mayor (navy leader) who would soon overtake Florida. The preface
included much of this background information, and even included colorful dialogue
appealing to diction in an attempt to bring creativity and color to the text. “Christian
slavers” as he acerbically called them (Preface third paragraph). Instead of using another
word such as bitter, or hostile, the author uses colorful words to give the audience an even
precise picture of De Vaca such as acerbically. By using select vocabulary you think
beyond the tone of voice, and begin to think about the overall body language and facial
expressions of the character. How does someone who is mad appear and sound, vs.
someone who is enraged? Ethos is the appeal being used, which appeals to the character
and our sense of imagination. Descriptive words encourage audiences to better envision
how the character reacts in that moment. This can also be an appeal to logos, in order to
figure out what the words mean, using the context and making logical guesses help depict
the author’s point that he/she are trying to get across. The author attempted to put the
image in our head of De Vaca being an arrogant, vicious ruler, and for me that goal was
achieved.

It is difficult for me to feel that the author is credible, because there are no sources
stated, or publishers mentioned, which makes me contradict myself when I say that I
believe the facts in this text. Although the author is not credited, there are many facts and
dates that support his case. Although the author is unrecognized the editor and publisher
are mentioned which also contradict my argument that the facts are credible. Over the
years facts are change, and they are more vulnerable to change when they are being
translated. The story of the Malhado was translated, however withholds many key facts.
Schemes were used to manipulate the audience into feeling sympathy for the Indians. The
schemes were executed by explaining their only means of protection, and the fact that
they were forced to drink bad water. The schemes were instrumental in carrying out the
author’s purpose of showing that the life of an Indian is bad enough without someone
trying to over take their land. Deaths occur by the hundreds, and they basically had to
fight and strategize to stay alive. (They joined another tribe the Arbados, who astonished
us by their weak, emaciated, swollen conditions.)

In the ending paragraph the Indians are made to appear even more helpless. The
Christians have now arrived and begin to make the Indians very apprehensive. This is
another scheme of sympathy or ethos attempting to get the audience to feel the pain of the
Native Americans. The Christians attempt to make the Native Americans slaves, by
befriending them which sets the tone for deceit. We end the passage as we began it,
feeling sorry for the Native Americans. (Thus we often misjudge the motives of men; we
thought we had effected the Indians’ liberty, when the Christians were but posing to
pounce.)