Historical Bilingual Identity in Malinche and Las dos Orillas

Abstract

This article centers on the historical actors doña Marina and Jerónimo de Aguilar and how modern authors of fiction have used them as fictional characters to reinterpret traditional and formal history. The authors follow the tradition of the cronistas that forms the primary basis of historical resources on the conquista, of using partial and subjective narrative to rebuild the reputation of historical actors. In both novels bilingual identity is fundamental in reclaiming the human and sympathetic nature of the historic actors despite their contributions to the success of the conquista.