In “The Tale of Cabeza de Vaca,” Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca's fight for survival while being deprived of the basic necessities of life , proves that there is a change in him from the beginning to the end of the story. This transformation, however, affected multiple aspects of de Vaca, including his motivations, his character, and his perspective on civilization. Cabeza de Vaca's experience is crucial to the history of America, as well as Spain, because it was one of the first accounts revealing a certain balance between the powerful and superior Spaniard and the Indian, once the Spaniard was stripped of his noble stature. The idea of ​​nudity is constant throughout the story and reflects the tribulations he experienced and a sort of balance between him and the Indians. Initial intentions to conquer and populate the region between Florida and a northern part of Mexico quickly shifted Cabeza de Vaca's focus to the need to survive. His encounter with different Indian tribes and his ability to get along with them (whatever the means) and then prosper as a healer shows that through his Christian faith and in himself he transformed failure into an unexpected success. The nature of Narvaez's expedition was intended to resemble that of any other Spanish exploration to the New World. Panfilo de Narvaez, who was chosen as governor of Florida and who financed the expedition, was also appointed commander in chief by Emperor Charles V. Cabeza de Vaca was appointed royal treasurer of the voyage for his brilliance and noble character. The Spanish were to conquer the land of Florida in the name of Charles V and the Spanish nation. They hoped to confront and defeat any natives who got in their way and harvest whatever riches and valuable materials they came across. When the ships arrived on the west coast of Florida, they were greeted by a storm. This was just a sign of things to come for the fleet. The storm forced ships to land in a different bay than planned. From this point, the governor wanted to move inland and explore the terrain. During this time he also wanted the ships to sail along the coast until they reached the correct bay. This began the fall of conquest. Cabeza de Vaca, along with the commissioner and other elites of the expedition, tried to persuade the governor that... middle of paper......survival. Cabeza de Vaca will never thank God enough for helping him through the terrible times he and the few remaining Spaniards went through as captives of the Indians. He feels a sort of accomplishment at having managed to get through it and comes out with a better appreciation of life. After experiencing what it was like to have been an Indian and a slave, and after being on the verge of death several times, the fact that Cabeza de Vaca was able to keep calm and take each day at one o'clock is astonishing. Of course, as a good Christian, Cabeza de Vaca gives God all the credit in the world for his survival and success. However, it is Cabeza de Vaca's self-belief and determination that allows him to survive and navigate the changes he makes. It's almost a rags-to-riches and rags-to-riches story. However, the riches at the end of the expedition are very different from those which arrive. These new riches are measured not in gold or land, but in the appreciation of human life and the struggle for survival that made him a better man. .Work citedAlvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca. “The Tale of Cabeza de Vaca” University of Nebraska Press, 2003.