La Relación...from La Relación To familiarize yourself with the historical context of La...
Transcript of La Relación...from La Relación To familiarize yourself with the historical context of La...
La Relaciónby Álvar Núñez Cabez de Vaca
Literature Quiz 2
• On page 74, why does De Vaca say that
he “would have welcomed death” (lines
11-12). You may open your books.
from La Relación
INTRODUCING THE REPORT
What’s the STORY behind the GLORY?
Dreams of wealth, glory, and conquest lured adventurers to the
Americas, but few were prepared for the harsh reality that
awaited them.
from La Relación
Often, the greatest
prize of all was living
to tell the tale.
INTRODUCING THE REPORT
What’s the STORY behind the GLORY?
For every hero who claimed a fortune, there were
hundreds of others who died trying.
What enabled
some to survive
while others failed?
from La Relación
DISCUSS
In a small group, share stories you’ve read or heard that describe
a person’s struggle to survive in desperate circumstances, such as
a shipwreck, war, or a natural disaster.
Then make a list of traits that those people or characters exhibit.
Decide what qualities seem essential in a survivor.
INTRODUCING THE REPORT
What’s the STORY behind the GLORY?
from La Relación
Historical Context
When you read historical works,
you may notice statements that
seem strange or even offensive.
These remarks might be a reflection of the
work’s historical context—the ideas and
details from the author’s time that influence
the written work.
from La Relación
Historical Context
It was amazing to see these wild, untaught savages howling
like brutes in compassion for us.
While his purpose was to
communicate the experience of a
life-threatening adventure, his
account was shaped by the
culture that shaped him.
The author’s statement reflects views about Indians that most
people of his time shared.
Álva Núñez Cabeza De Vaca
from La Relación
To familiarize yourself with the
historical context of La Relación,
read the author biography and the
background information in the
Student Edition.
Then, as you read the work,
note details that reflect this
context.
Historical Context
from La Relación Discuss
• Survival of the fittest
• What caused 4 people out of 600 to survive? Luck? DIVINE
INTERVENTION?
• Do the Native Americans represent ‘Nature’ as they do in TWOATB?
• Difference in language compared to TWOATB.
• Discuss elements of RELIABILITY.
• Discuss elements of human nature and the selfishness it entails.
• Did the Native Americans HAVE to help? Didn’t they have the upper
hand? Did they have a hidden agenda?
from La Relación
Unlike a history book, La Relación is an eyewitness report. Such
primary sources give us special insight into history.
When using these
sources, consider the
intended audience, the
author’s role in events,
and where and when the
document was written.
Reading a Primary Source
from La Relación
As you read, complete a chart like the one shown. Consult the
author biography and background information as needed.
What do I know about the author and his times?
AnswersQuestions
What details tell me about life in 16th-century North
America?
What is the relationship between the author and his
audience?
Reading a Primary Source
What is the author’s role in the events he describes?
from La Relación
5. flood
The words in the box on the right help bring this
explorer’s account to life. Choose a synonym for
each word from the numbered terms.
cauterize
ingratiate
inundate
embody
cauterize
embody
ingratiate
inundate
locomotion
tarry
2. personify
3. burn
4. seek favor
6. delay tarry
1. movement
locomotion
from La Relación
cauterize v. to burn or sear to destroy diseased tissue
embody v. to represent in human form
ingratiate v. to gain another’s favor by deliberate effort
inundate v. to cover with water; to overwhelm
locomotion n. the power to move from place to place
tarry v. to delay
from La Relación Homework
• Short story assigned, 3 pages. Due on
next literature day. Write a mythical story
based on the creation of humans that is
similar to The World on A Turtle’s World. A
story that includes the same mythical
elements as those present in the text.