English Department
High School
Literature
Balboa
Balboa” by Sabina Murray is an exciting historical novel that takes us on a journey
through the life of Vasco Núñez de Balboa, a famous Spanish explorer. In the first chapter,
we meet Balboa as a young boy growing up in Spain. He dreams of adventure and wants
to explore the world.
As the story progresses, Balboa faces many challenges and obstacles. He joins an
expedition to the New World, where he encounters indigenous people and learns about
their culture. Balboa becomes friends with a native girl named Anayansi, who helps him
navigate the unfamiliar land.
Throughout the book, Balboa faces dangerous situations, such as battles with rival
explorers and encounters with wild animals. He also struggles with his own ambitions
and desires for power. Despite these challenges, Balboa shows bravery and
determination, always pushing forward in his quest for discovery.
As Balboa explores the New World, he becomes the first European to see the Pacific
Ocean from its eastern shore. This is a significant achievement, as it opens up new
possibilities for trade and exploration. Balboa’s discovery brings him fame and
recognition, but it also brings him enemies who are jealous of his success.
In the later chapters, Balboa faces a trial for treason and is ultimately executed. This is a
tragic end to his story, but his legacy lives on as one of the great explorers of his time.
*The short story "Balboa" by Sabina Murray uses the historical figure Vasco Núñez de
Balboa as a lens to explore themes of identity, colonialism, and the complex relationship
between ambition and downfall. The story uses symbolism to represent these themes,
such as the jaguar symbolizing inner strength and the ocean representing the vastness of
the journey. Other symbols include the gold tooth, which connects to the protagonist's
family history, and the "shadow of Spain" which represents the pervasive influence of
imperialism.
● The story follows a protagonist (often a female immigrant in analysis) who is
connected to the history of Balboa through a symbolic object like a gold tooth,
which links to her father and family history.
● It intertwines the historical context of Spanish exploration and conquest with the
protagonist's personal journey of finding her own identity.
Themes
● Identity and belonging: The story explores how immigrants grapple with
reconciling their heritage with their place in a new culture.
● Ambition and downfall: The narrative examines how an excessive pursuit of glory
and power can lead to one's downfall.
● The theme of arrogance and how being overly ambitious can result in one's
downfall. Balboa does actions without thinking thoroughly about the
consequences. His hunger for power causes him not to think decisions through,
which explains letting the governor go after he "supplanted the governor"
● Colonialism and imperialism: The story critiques the violent and exploitative
nature of colonization through Balboa's actions as a representative of Spain.
● Memory and the past: It delves into the power of memory, showing how it can
both haunt and heal, and how a connection to the past influences the present.
Symbols
● The jaguar: Represents the protagonist's inner strength.
● The ocean: Symbolizes the vastness of her journey and the unknown challenges
ahead.
● The gold tooth: Represents the protagonist's connection to her father and the
complexities of her family history and heritage.
● The "shadow of Spain": Represents the ongoing, pervasive impact of Spanish
imperialism and its legacy.
● Leoncico (Balboa's dog): In some interpretations, the dog reflects Balboa's own
personality—a "lion" in his mind but a "rat" in his actions, representing his complex
and contradictory nature.
