HIST 101 Survey of American History I M02 Discussion 2

The Journey of Cabeza de Vaca (Links to an external site.)

Over the last century, America has produced two dominant and nearly opposite myths of its early explorers: the noble, courageous bringer of light and civilization to the barbarous world; and (more recently) the invader, who is greedy, violent, and sometimes even depraved. How might these very different myths of the explorer suit the different times in which the myths have flourished? Based on the excerpt from his account, how might Cabeza de Vaca be located between these opposite extremes?

How might these very different myths of the explorer suit the different times in which the myths have flourished?

The two contrasting myths of explorers suit in a different time in various ways. Both tales have an American background from different periods, as well as the different areas that took place. Indeed, the myths vary in almost all the narratives of various explorers, regardless of the periods that took place. For instance, in this case, about the journey of Cabeza de Vaca, the two myths are expressed in the narrative showing ....

differently in occasions in history. The tales also suit in different time describing and narrating the activities and on how they occurred over the centuries. Therefore, the two myths of the explorer can be considered to adapt in different times regardless of the period they have flourished.

Based on the excerpt from his account, how might Cabeza de Vaca be located between these opposite extremes?

Based on the narration of the Cabeza de Vaca history, it is essential to locate the explorer in an extreme of the nobles from his past life. The narrative story of the Journey of Cabeza de Vaca shows his capability as an explorer who performed different activities as he moved from one region to the other. Therefore, the explorer can be described as a courageous purveyor of right and civilization to the barbarous world from his leadership qualities. Besides, the narrative talks about Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca as a noble person who have skills and conditions of a leader as well as being born from a noble family. Moreover, during the time of his journey, he was able to learn and explorer the small part of the East Texas coast as he was finding his way out to Mexico. He also managed to record the wonders of the west American as well as inhabitants of their splendid survival skills. On the other side, he might even be located in the myth of invader, where some of the explorers died from starvation.