While reading Christopher Columbus’ own personal diary from his voyage to America, a lot of childhood memories came to mind. I remember while I was living in Costa Rica that Columbus was seen as something of a hero. Some of my classmates would even fight to play Columbus at the annual school play. So like many of my classmates, I regarded Columbus in the same way, the possibility of him being anything else didn’t exist yet. Now, that I have been able to develop my own opinion, I don’t see Columbus as this great figure, but instead, he’s just another explorer who’s only goal is to please himself.
The diary of Christopher Columbus depicts him as ignorant, and selfish. After a long journey he comes to find land, where he is welcomed by the native people. This might be where the idea of the merging of two cultures in a mutually respectful, and harmonious way comes into play. While the motives of the natives might have been peaceful, Columbus’ was not. Columbus just wanted to please the King and Queen of Spain, at whatever cost. He did not respect the natives, this can be seen when he claimed their land as they watched on. His eagerness to please the King and Queen is also continuously shown when he mentions his plans to convert the natives to Christianity. Columbus’s plans to learn the people’s language is only motivated by the idea of pleasing the King and Queen. He assumes that by learning their language the Spanish could have an insight into the lives of the people, and when the King and Queen come they’ll find a city and a fort built and a land that is converted (p.127). Columbus completely disregarded the possibility that the native people may have their own customs, and plans for the future of their land. Which was a common imperialist idea of that time. Columbus also describes the land as beautiful and fertile (p.102), he constantly draws comparisons between the new land and the one back in Spain. This is might have been a method that Columbus employs to make his discovery inviting to the King and Queen. By describing his new found land as something they already know, the new land may not seem as that big of a mystery.
The diary of Christopher Columbus was written in a certain way to appeal to his superiors, I wonder if he deliberately ‘forgets’ to tell the truth at times. There’s no way to know for certain what happened on October 12, 1492, but I do wonder if there are other diaries that can contradict what Columbus wrote. He was after all no great hero, but simply another explorer who had to answer to his superiors above all.
Hi Maria,
I completely agree with your post, and in fact posted something similar to what you have said. It is interesting that you question whether there has been others who have criticized him and have regarded him as simply another explorer instead of a hero. It is also interesting how you related all this to your childhood! In Mexico and Asia, where I have studied Christopher Columbus, he has also always been seen as a hero more than just a simple explorer, and have never actually seen a case where they mention otherwise. Overall, I think this (although similar) is a very interesting approach and response to the readings of this week!
Hello Maria,
I find it interesting that you were able to relate to this story by sharing your personal experiences of what you heard about Christopher Colombus. I agree with you, Colombus was being ignorant. I also stated in my own blog that this story is biased and I’m curious to hear another person’s side of the story, especially someone who can contradict to what he shared.