A New Genre: Unsolved History-The Best We Can Do

     History always leaves us asking more and more questions. Some questions can be solved and other can never be. The life and history of Dona Marina or Malintzin can never be truly understood. Townsend clearly states this in the beginning of her book. Townsend says, " Indeed, there is probably only one compelling reason why a traditional biography of Malinche was not written years ago: that it cannot be done. The evidence simply does not exist to write such a book. The women left us no diaries or letters, not a single page. We do, however, have enough ethnographic evidence about Nahuas and Spaniards for another kind of book, for one that provides full detials on every aspect of Malinche's context and places her actions i their proper setting, allowing readers to see what kind of thought she might have entertained such, as well as the extent to which her decisions mattered" (p.5).

     I do not believe historians should view history in this manner. Because, much of what we know about Malintzin is based on circumstantial evidence. History should be based on definite facts, in my opinion. However, the story of Malintzin and other stories like hers are different. Townsend makes it clear of her objectives in her book. She knows that this book will and will not directly be about Malintzin. Rather, she will base her arguments on written records of the time and stories that may shed light no the mystery of Malintzin. She does a excellent job of doing this throughout her book and explaining the context of Malintzin and her role in the conquest.

     Townsend says that this is a another kind of book. This book is unlike any other. It is a mix a fact, fiction, and imagination. Her novel is totally about Malintzin and her life. Townsend could not write a biography, because it is impossible to do so. Instead she does her best to piece together and link events that Malintzin may have been apart of. The truth is that we will never know with absolute certainty what Malintzin thought of the conquest, her life before the conquest, or even what motivated her. But, we can do our best to understand when she lived and the stories that have survived about her. Cases like Malintzin are difficult to study and research because the resources are limited. I believe that Townsend has created a new style of research and writing. She has shown us that it is possible to write about the history of a practically unknown woman.