Smith vs. Cabeza de Vaca Essay Example

given time (Smith 52).

Furthermore, the event where Pocahontas rescues Smith seems to be overly theatrical. The way Smith narrates his account, using third person references for himself, only heightens its self-aggrandizing nature. His narrative approach lends an aloof feeling to the whole story and portrays him as egotistical and trivial. It's entirely conjectural why these two authors have such contrasting perspectives. Their individual backgrounds might shape their distinct viewpoints.

De Vaca's religious beliefs seem to have profoundly shaped his perspective and behavior. He frequently references his faith in his narratives. De Vaca expresses, "In these difficulties, my sole solace was reflecting on the pain our Saviour, Jesus Christ bore and the blood He spilled for me." His faith appears to offer him substantial consolation, which might account for the tranquil tenor of his storytelling. Conversely, Smith's individual experiences could have been instrumental in molding his character and mindset.

Smith (43) provides an insight that "his seemingly ordinary early life was actually deceptive," and that at fifteen, his creativity was already sparked by "stories of discovery, piracy, and military escapades". This, paired with his experience in the armed forces, might be a reason for his proud demeanor. It isn't unexpected that de Vaca and Smith would have contrasting perspectives about their interactions with the Native Americans, considering their drastically varied experiences. It's only natural for them to have different attitudes.