After reading the first half of this novel it is apparent through its rhetoric that Cabeza de Vaca wanted his accounts to be taken seriously. He wanted these records to be seen as true accounts of what happened during his journeys and voyages. It seems credible because he writes to, ‘Vuestra Majestad’ and trusts in the protection and the better good of, ‘Dios’. He also spends a lot of time pumping himself up and making himself sound as immaculate as possible. Cabeza de Vaca’s accounts are similar to many other historical sources which I have read where the voyager documents his journeys in a very detailed and repetitive manner which lacks fictional appeal. This narrative is very drawn out and rhetorically lacks excitement. However, after reading the introduction of this book I realized that most likely very much of this narrative was fictional or at least greatly exaggerated. Cabeza de Vaca comes across as slightly arrogant and heroic.
Cabeza de Vaca had intended for his work to be regarded as truthful and educational. Whether or not it is believed that these accounts are fictional or not, this novel can still be very useful as a primary source. However, after realizing that he exaggerated and altered many different aspects to his written accounts I prefer to read this novel as a very well researched fiction. For example, both Cabeza de Vaca and Garcilaso de la Vega separately describe the province of Apalache so differently; “…se llegará a la conclusion que se están describiendo dos tierras completamente diferentes.” (60) I believe that Cabeza de Vaca gives a stereotypical account of his first encounters only to further his novel and name among an audience that has an already pre-determined notion of what they want to hear regarding the new world.
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