The Columbiad · Character
Bartholomew de las Casas
The Spanish friar and historian, defender of indigenous rights, appearing as a moral voice.
minor
Also known as Bartholomew
First appearance: book i
Bartholomew de las Casas's tie to Christopher Columbus is one of the pressures that moves The Columbiad—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.
Mentioned as a heroic figure unable to stop the destruction of the native peoples.
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With Christopher Columbus (friendship): Las Casas is a sympathetic chronicler and ally of Columbus, defending his legacy while critiquing…
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The fuller portrait of Bartholomew de las Casas sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Bartholomew de las Casas in book iCharacter Web
8 connectionsA slice of how Bartholomew de las Casas sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Friendship
- Other
Character groups
- Epic Cast of History
- Protagonist
- Founders and Historians
+3 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this climactic moment, Columbus reaches his emotional and psychological peak by confronting his deepest dou…
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Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Christopher Columbus
friendship · positive
Las Casas is a sympathetic chronicler and ally of Columbus, defending his legacy while… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Bartholomew de las Casas in book iIn the story
Bartholomew de las Casas appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Bartholomew de las Casas unlock in the free preview.
See Bartholomew de las Casas in book i