Alva Nunez Cabeza de Vaca’s life after eight years of being “trapped” in a foreign land he knew nothing about could have possibly changed his life and aspect of life. This film, entitled by the main characters name, Cabeza de Vaca, was a true story about Alva’s time spent in Florida. For the duration of his eight years in this new region, he would grow accustom to the way of life of the Indians he was bounded with. A devout Christian, the experiences, sights and adventures he would go through would ultimately leave a choice for him to decide when the Spanish settlement took place.
Off the coast of Florida, Alva Nunez and his crew were on an expedition to Florida, when their ship sinks. Stranded, they set off by foot on a land they were not familiar with. They were captured by the Iguase Indians and separated. Alva was enslaved to a healer, and was amazed by the way of life. He would eventually pick up the lifestyle and be set on his way. As a healer himself, he was ready to take on what was to come. Alva would be reunited with his other crew members only to be captured again. Though he would escape, an Indian was wounded and later healed by Alva.
Other members of this Indians’ tribe would see Alva to have powers, as well as his fellow crew members, who thought it to be witchcraft. Tensions between his members and him were weary when Alva “resurrected” a beautiful tribe woman, although it would gain the respect of most Indians. When his healing group arrived at another tribe, there had been a massacre, in which other Indians were shot by Spaniards. When Alva discovered who was responsible, he quickly found out that he must stop the Spanish from destroying the Indian life.
The Essay on Florida History Palmetto Leaves By Harriet Beecher Stowe
Florida History Palmetto Leaves by Harriet Beecher Stowe In this research we are going to examine the issue of Florida history presented by the well known writer of the 19th century, Harriet Beecher Stowe, in her book Palmetto leaves. One of the core issues addressed in the book was the issue of the education for the ethnic identities in Florida. The author was one of the activists pushing forward ...
In fear of what could happen if the Spanish discovered what he has done, he ordered all of his followers to run and was left with his fellow Spaniards to set out and find the Spanish. Eventually found, he was amazed to learn that eight years have passed. Sorrow surrounded Alva Nunez when he found an Indian follower dead, as the Spanish set out to conquer. This amazing story of Alva Nunez was magnificently described and shown in this film. Cabeza de Vaca was portrayed accurately as well as historically.
Throughout the entire film, the historical aspects of the film were correctly interpreted. There were many convincing moments, however a few were questionable. In one scene, it is doubtable that someone could be injured by striking a figure. While this was symbolic, it is still very unlikely. The directing of this film was very convincing, as well as the acting. The setting and recognition of the tribes were also very persuasive. A key part of the film was the dialect, and how everything was approached.
The Indians spoke in their own language, yet the viewers knew only what the main character spoke. A sense of realism was brought with this feature. Another feature of this film was the accurate interpretation of gender and race. The director of the film did a great job of keeping suspense in the film while still laying down the significant feeling of life in the 1500s. An emotional scene occurred when Alva Nunez was sent to be on his own. While enslaved, Alva grew to despise a certain character. When Alva went out, they shared a tearful farewell since they grew accustom to one another.
This feeling came again towards the end of the film when Alva was reunited with a close follower who died. There were emotions throughout the film, sad and amusing. The most thoughtful scene was at the end of the film when a cross was set out to a daunting sky. This portrayed a sense of conquer and take over. It can be debated if this was a heroic or villainous act. In some terms, the Spanish brought a monotheistic religion, yet it was forced to the Indians. The cross could be interpreted as a positive icon for the Spaniards, yet villainous to the Indians.
The Essay on The Pueblo Indians Pueblos Spanish Villages
The Pueblo Indians are the historic descendants of the Anasazi peoples, also known as the "Basket Makers." The Pueblo people live in several locations in northeastern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico in compact, permanent settlements known as pueblos. Pueblo means village or town in Spanish. The Pueblos were first encountered by the Spanish in 1539, by the Spanish Franciscan missionary Marcos ...
The focal point the filmmaker might have made, however, was the cross bringing order to a “daunting” people. The film’s focus was on the people who were conquered. The main topic was to share the story of another culture. The film brought a better understanding of what happened in the Spanish conquest. It was important to share both sides of this story and Cabeza de Vaca successfully accomplished this. An important part to remember about the film is to keep in mind the lifestyle of the Indians. After being taken by the Spaniards, the Indians were forced into a new life.
This is the same thing that happened to Alva Nunez. He changed his lifestyle and grew accustom to Indian life. Though it is unclear which he favored, that was the topic of Cabeza de Vaca. To a point, religion took a major part in this film. The Spaniards set to pass the word of God to the Indians, which was a reason why they were conquered. The most symbolic icon was the cross, which was reoccurring during the film. Religion is a big issue, which was the focal point in this incredible true story.
