The Reoccurring Theme Of Culpability In The Moor's Account

Culpable is defined as “deserving blame; guilty of doing something wrong” (Merriam-Webster). Culpability is a reoccurring theme in many literary works. In Laila Lalami’s novel, The Moor’s Account, the theme of culpability is displayed throughout the novel’s entirety. Culpability is displayed through the overall events of the Narvaez expedition, Mustafa’s religion, and Cabeza de Vaca’s account of the expedition.
The overall events of the Narvaez expedition display the theme of culpability very well. The main purpose of the expedition was to gain fame and fortune by conquering the New World and discovering gold like Hernán Cortés. Once the expedition got under way there were many complications. The fleet sailed to Cape Santa Cruz and then two ships went on to Trinidad to resupply for the journey. While the two ships were in Trinidad, the weather was bad and the sea was rough. The storm had destroyed food and stores in the village so they were unable to resupply the ships. The
But when his report is compared to the joint report there are many discrepancies. In De Vaca’s account, he is written as the hero in many situations that he probably was not. Such as how he wrote himself to be the lead healer while they were traveling healing Indians. Also, it is noted that the blame is placed on other people in situation where the outcome was bad. Such as the decision to separate from the ships in the beginning of the expedition. It is written that the decision was strictly that of the leader, Narvaez, and no one else’s. Another notable discrepancy in De Vaca’s account is that of the dates. In some places he speaks as if he was keeping an account of the dates they arrived and departed places but when he tells how many days the expedition was somewhere it does not add up to the dates he gives for arrival and departure. These discrepancies are notable and make De Vaca