De la Malinche al malinchismo: la complejidad de un destino único

Abstract

This teaching unit offers a cultural approach to La Malinche, a controversial historical figure and Native American woman who played a fundamental role in the conquest of Mexico. Thanks to her knowledge of languages (Nahuatl, Mayan, Spanish), she went from being a slave to being an interpreter, advisor and partner of Hernán Cortés. Because of her loyalty to the invaders, her name became synonymous with disloyalty in Mexico. Thus, the representation of La Malinche that permeated Mexican culture from the 16th century to the end of the 19th century is that of a traitorous woman. However, throughout the 20th century, historical-cultural revisionism has begun to bring about changes in the treatment and reception of this well-known character in the Hispanic world, focusing on her unfavourable biographical circumstances and her role as founder or mother of the Mexican nation