44 pages • 1 hour read
Ann Nolan ClarkSecret of the Andes
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1952A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Historical Context: The Inca
The Inca Empire, which spanned the Andean region of South America, was the largest in the Americas before the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. Known for their architectural and engineering prowess, the Inca built cities like Machu Picchu and Cuzco, as well as a vast network of roads through mountainous terrain. They developed terraced farming techniques to grow crops in high-altitude areas and constructed complex irrigation systems.
The Inca belief system was centered on the worship of Inti, the Sun God. The emperor, known as the Sapa Inca, was believed to be a direct descendant of Inti, and as such, rituals involving the sun were of paramount importance. These religious practices connected the people to their environment, with the sun playing a key role in agriculture, politics, and daily life. Festivals like Inti Raymi, a celebration of the Sun God, were integral to their culture. Gold, believed to be the sweat of the sun, was used in religious ceremonies and was a symbol of divine power.
The Inca organized their society through ayllus, which were family-based communal groups that worked together to share land, resources, and labor. This cooperative system ensured that everyone had what they needed to survive, and members of an ayllu were expected to contribute to the community. The system promoted unity and ensured the survival of the empire, especially in the challenging Andean environment.
When the Spanish, led by Francisco Pizarro, arrived in 1532, the Inca were already weakened by internal conflict and diseases brought by Europeans. Despite their vast empire and advanced civilization, the Inca fell quickly due to the superior weaponry of the Spanish, the capture and execution of their emperor Atahualpa, and the collapse of their centralized political system. The Spanish imposed their own rule, bringing Catholicism, forced labor systems, and European customs, which disrupted the Incan way of life.
The conquest led to the destruction of many Incan cultural and religious practices, with temples repurposed as churches and Incan religious objects melted down for gold. However, aspects of Incan culture, such as language, agricultural practices, and spiritual beliefs, persisted in secret or blended with Spanish influences. The Inca’s architectural and agricultural achievements, such as Machu Picchu and terrace farming, still survive today.
Critical Context: Cultural Representation and Western Perspectives
Secret of the Andes was positively received when it was published in 1952. In 1953, it won the Newbery Medal over Charlotte’s Web. However, modern critics have raised concerns about its cultural authenticity. Clark wrote the book after spending time in South America, and while her intent was to honor the Inca, some have argued that her portrayal is filtered through a Western perspective.
While Clark was inspired by her experiences living and teaching in South America, and likely intended to honor the Incan heritage, her portrayal has been critiqued for lacking the depth and authenticity that would come from an Indigenous voice. This raises issues of cultural appropriation, as Clark is writing about a culture that is not her own, potentially oversimplifying or romanticizing aspects of Incan life for a Western audience. Additionally, some modern readers and critics have raised concerns about the potential for inaccuracies or misrepresentations in the novel. Clark’s depiction of Incan spirituality, traditions, and social structures, while well-researched, reflect a Western lens that could distort the complexities of Incan culture. This is especially important in light of the long history of colonial narratives about Indigenous peoples, where Indigenous voices have often been marginalized or misrepresented.
In addition to concerns about cultural appropriation, Secret of the Andes may unintentionally contribute to the romanticization of Indigenous cultures. By focusing on the mysticism and isolation of the Incan heritage, the novel might reinforce stereotypes of Indigenous peoples as existing in a timeless, unchanging past. This perspective often overlooks the dynamic, evolving nature of Indigenous cultures, which continue to thrive and adapt in the modern world. Clark’s emphasis on the spiritual and historical elements of the Inca could be seen as reducing the culture to a set of exoticized rituals and customs, rather than presenting a fully realized picture of the Incan people and their descendants as complex, contemporary individuals. This kind of portrayal can unintentionally perpetuate the idea that Indigenous cultures are relics of the past, rather than living, breathing communities with diverse experiences and identities.
