This essay aims to closely read The Sea of Lentils and The Four Voyages of Columbus to critically analyze how the former engages and rejects extant principles of rhetorical strategies on conquest (BenĂtez Rojo; Columbus). The conquest principles of possession and the nobility of purpose are first introduced and discussed in the context of Columbusâs text. BenĂtez Rojo portrays indigenous population as resistant and questions common colonial justifications, thus successfully rejecting both principles of conquest. Specifically, rhetorical strategies such as appealing to emotions of despair, language, and image tropes are used by BenĂtez Rojo to invalidate these principles.
The Four Voyages of Columbus describe the colonial exploits reported back to the Portuguese and Spanish royalty. It presents Columbusâs colonial exploits as a nearly effortless and self-righteous process. The first principle of conquest invoked is the possession of land, resources, or people with ease. Columbus describes countless supplies of the land, which could be taken with âno oppositionâ from the locals (2). Columbus seems to mock the local population for taking âeven the pieces of the broken hoops of the wine barrelsâ (8). He further portrays himself in a morally superior stand: when islanders âlike savages, gave what they had⊠it seemed to me to be wrong, and I forbade itâ (Columbus 8). Moreover, Columbus feels more entitled to these possessions than the locals since those are âthings they have in abundance, and which are necessary to usâ (8). The conquest principle of possession works as a tool for establishing the ârightfulâ order of things, reinforcing the colonialistsâ superiority. By portraying natives as naĂŻve and unpossessive, the author justifies taking their belongings.
The second principle of conquest is the strategically demonstrated nobility of purpose. Aside from repossessing the âmuch-neededâ natural resources of the colonized lands, Columbus also discusses at length the greatness of converting so many âsavagesâ âto our holy faith,â expressing that the locals should be grateful to be converted to Christianity (18). Moreover, Columbus highlights that possession was taken âfor their highnessâ (2). This principle works by establishing a double standard for gaining and losing possession of personal belongings, lands, and even people. Ultimately, it justifies the exploitation and cruelty perpetrated by the colonizers.
The second discussed text is The Sea of Lentils by BenĂtez Rojo, which describes four intertwined stories of colonization and the slave trade. According to Columbus, the localsâ ease and willingness to submit to the colonizers are not present in the authorâs description. While characters like AntĂłn Babtista seemingly embrace the conquest mentality, the narrative portrays a gloomier reality. Most locals âcould not be persuaded to join,â so, eventually, some were taken âby forceâ (BenĂtez Rojo 52). In contrast to painting locals as cheerful and naĂŻve âsavages,â the author uses language tropes to highlight their âscarcely [to] be believedâ cruelty and boldness that leads them to âneither surrender nor admit defeatâ (BenĂtez Rojo 53; 57). The conquest principle of possession is manipulated through the unequivocal determination of the indigenous groups to defend themselves and their land. Therefore, Columbusâs claim of effortless possession is rejected by this narrative.
Consequentially, doubt, uncertainty, and fear increasingly penetrate the main charactersâ minds. BenĂtez Rojo implements the tropes like images of AntĂłn Babtistaâs island struggles: âfeet moldering with sores and chiggersâ and âloins festooned with pustulesâ (BenĂtez Rojo 77). Further, the author uses specific language and appeals to emotions to twist the words âlordâ and âmasterâ that usually signify the superiority of the colonizers. After describing his suffering, AntĂłn Babtista refers to himself as a âlord and master of unhappy Indians, lord of fear, lord of iron and bad dreams, master of deathâ (BenĂtez Rojo 77). Moreover, king Philip fearfully orders that âno one born there in those savage lands would ever hold a high positionâ (BenĂtez Rojo 157). Characters do not know whether their actions are dignified, âwhether [they are] doing right or wrong, whether [they] should spare a life or cut it downâ (BenĂtez Rojo 70). Therefore, the narrative rejects the conquest principle of the strategically demonstrated nobility of purpose. In contrast to Columbusâs letters, the author does not justify colonial exploitation and oppression by showing a lack of nobility and doubt.
Columbusâs notion of easy possession is effectively twisted to its direct opposite in The Sea of Lentils. The indigenous peopleâs determination to resist and defend their land defies the colonial rhetoric of taking something because colonizers âneed it more.â Moreover, BenĂtez Rojo successfully rejects the principle of the strategically demonstrated nobility of purpose by persistently showing cruelty, suffering, hesitation, and prejudice. AntĂłn Babtista embodies an ultimate conquistador, obsessed with getting rich, accompanying Columbus on his Hispaniola voyage. However, as the journey unravels, his enthusiasm and self-righteousness dissipate under the pressure of circumstances. Overall, by showing colonizersâ undignified deeds, who are not even sure if the pursuit is worth it, the author successfully conveys that colonial possession should not be justified and prioritized over indigenous possession.
The rhetoric of conquest descriptions of The Sea of Lentils is manipulated differently compared to the first letter of Columbus. Specifically, BenĂtez Rojoâs narrative does not strive to disregard indigenous people and portray colonizers rightfully and effortlessly claiming their lands. Rather, it exposes the flaws of conquistadorsâ character, a far-from-cheerful response from locals, and describes the conquestâs political, logistical, and mental struggles. By challenging the usual narrative of the easy and nobly justified invasions, BenĂtez Rojo fundamentally changes how the colonization process is portrayed in literature.
Works Cited
BenĂtez Rojo, Antonio. Sea of Lentils. Translated by James Maraniss, University of Massachusetts Press, 1990.
Columbus, Christopher. The Four Voyages of Columbus: A History in Eight Documents, Including Five by Christopher Columbus, in the Original Spanish, With English Translations. Edited & translated by Jane Cecil, Dover Publications, Inc., 1988, pp. 1-19.