The video/readings this week were very interesting. I knew a bit about Columbus before, but not much more than the fact that he had “discovered” America, and did so in quite a cruel and cold manner. So I enjoyed getting some more details on the subject, as well as reading his own personal accounts. My opinion on him hasn’t changed much, though, and I still view him in a negative light.

Just from the video, there were a few interesting things that came up. First off is the quote from Todorov, talking about how the ‘discovery of America’ served as the invention of the modern European “self”, via the American “other”, and that it ‘marked the beginning of the modern era’. This just makes one think of the effect that all of these events had not only on America itself, but also on the rest of the world, and its history. Another thing that I found interesting is the fact that there was actually debate over “the significance or morality of [Columbus’] achievement” as far back as the 16th Century. I suppose that this makes sense, but it’s something that I hadn’t really thought of before, and it’s something that I am glad to hear.

Now getting into Columbus’ journal itself, I found it to be a pretty cool read. Columbus is obviously captured by the beauty of the land, and some of the things he describes really do sound wonderful. But you also get a good sense of the coldness of Columbus, and he makes his motivations of finding riches and pleasing the King and Queen of Spain, at the expense of the natives, quite clear. He looks down upon the natives, as though he is naturally superior to them. He tries not to be hostile towards them, though, as he wants them to trust and support him and his men, for when the Spanish return later.

And finally, just to touch on the second reading piece, I thought that it was a very cool idea, and well executed. The writing felt very real, and it stirred feelings of anger and sadness at the treatment of the Incas by the Spaniards.