I, Rigoberta Menchu (siete)

1.      Menchu begins ch. 19 with a quote from her father, “You are independent, you must do what you want to, as long as you do it for our people.” What do you make of this statement? Why do you think he included, “as long as you do it for the people?”

For Menchu’s father to say that she is independent is very interesting because I do not think it is very common to a father tell their daughter in Guatemala that she is free to do whatever she wants. It does make sense; however, that he says it needs to help the people. I think that if Menchu had left her roots and given in to the army then not only her father, but her entire community would be disappointed. This movement needed everyone it could get and Menchu needed to be a part of it because she ends up helping so much. The fight against the land owners and the government is a grassroots movement that required the participation of every member.

2.      Take some time to re-read the last paragraph of ch. 19. Breathe those words in. Why are they monumental?

Menchu is an amazing woman period. It is amazing to read about a woman who can take extreme sorrow and turn them into important experiences. Through all of this “change” as she calls it, she still believes it is important to do community things and participate in ancient rituals. This woman shows extreme dedication and loyalty to her country and her people.

3.      Ch. 20 describes a horrifying scene about the woman in the house. What is your reaction to this? Does there seem to be any humanity? Why do you think that is?

After reading this scene I was extremely perturbed. I find it very sad and unbelievable that just because a woman would not be this landowner’s son’s mistress that he could have her killed by a security guard and the guard would only get 15 days in prison. This shows how corrupt the government is and how they just really don’t care about the native people. The mayor came, laughed a little, and left. He never asked what happened or anything. Then the fact that the workers could get in trouble for moving the body sickens me. How are they supposed to wait for a government (who doesn’t care about them) to come to examine a body that is decomposing and smells? The worst part about this story was the way she died. He hacked her and worst of all her baby girl up. He also cut off the other child’s finger. This is so twisted and sick that I hate to think humans can be so horrible to each other.     

4.      Ch. 21 focuses on Rigoberta learning Spanish. Why is this important both culturally and socially?

Menchu had to learn Spanish for two main reasons. First reason and my opinion most important is to communicate with the government and the ladinos. Her people get tricked because they do not speak or read Spanish. Menchu needs to learn Spanish to help prevent these tricks from happening. Second reason is to connect the people. With 22 different main languages with each different group, it is hard to unit and communicate with everyone. I think everyone should learn Spanish so that they can become closer.

5.      Ch. 22 spends some time talking about General Kjell’s policies and land divisions. What was the general reaction to these policies? Why were they good or bad?

General Kjell, just like most of the politicians in Guatemala, is corrupt and horrible. He promises the world to the native people and delivers nothing. The land divisions are a tactic to separate the people and still get money out of them. I was angered when I read that the natives had to pay money to cut down a couple trees so that they could grow food to live, but the ladinos could cut down hundreds for free to sell. I really do not understand why people are so horrible to other humans. I have always had a hard time understanding how you could treat someone as if they were lower than dirt. Kjell’s policies are an example of  an easy way to do it.   

I, Rigoberta Menchu (Siete)

1.) Menchu begins Chapter 19 with a quotation from her father, "You are independent, you must do what you want to, as long as you do it for our people." What do you make of this statement?
Why do you think he included, "as long as you do it for our people?"

Once you are born into this world, the native Guatemalans teach their children to work the land and support the people. In the United States we work to support our family. Whereas Guatemalans work to support their community. The reason why I think Menchu's father included, "...as long as you do it for your people," is because he strongly believes in helping ones in need. Listening to news and stories about other villages that are suffering from the war feels very depressing and almost shameful for a village like Menchu's that doesn't have to go through all that violence. Rigoberta's father knows that she is independent and is ready to make her own choices as an adult. When he says to do it for your people, he is reminding her not to forget what he has taught her and that you must continue life with helping others and fight for what is right.

2.) Take some time and re-read the last paragraph of Chapter 19. Breathe those words in. Why are they monumental?

A situation like that that happened in Chapter 19 is very scary. The situation is something that anyone wouldn't want to go through.  Rigoberta's courage and determination is really inspiring. She risked her life for her people. Menchu's words are monumental because those words is what she continued to follow. She continued to help her people fight and defend themselves from the government soldiers. After helping those people in that village it gave her more reason to keep fighting and making a difference for the natives.

3.) Chapter 20 decribes a horrifying scene about the woman in the house. What is your reaction to this? Does there seem to be any humanity? Why do you think that is?

 I can't believe someone would want to kill someone like that over something so childish. There's no ounce of humainty in it because the bodyguard who had chopped Dona Petrona into peieces was only punished with fifteen days in jail. The way Rigoberta Menchu starts to describe her body is almost nbearable and depressing because of the image that her words give you. It must be very tramatizing for Dona Petrona's children because of the fact that they were there when their mother was being hacked into pieces. What makes things even worse is that Dona Petrona is one of many who has had something like that happen to them.


4.) Chapter 21 focuses on Rigoberta learning Spanish. Why is this important both culturally and socially?

For Rigoberta Menchu it helped her with her task that she was doing for the CUC. Culturally and socially she is able to represent her people and speak out against the government.

5.) Chapter 22 spends some time talking about General Kjell's policies with land division. What was the general reaction to these policies? Why are they both good or bad?

Kjell's policy was good for the indians because Kjell divided all the land into plots an gave them out to everyone in the communities. The catch though was that Kjell set up the Guatemalan Forestry Commision. It was bad because they couldn't cut down trees because they all owned plots and werent allowed to go outside their own plot. Many protested because no one had wood to have a fire to cook and eat.

I, Rigoberta Menchu (seis)

1.      What is the CUC and what role does it play in chapter 15?

The CUC (United Peasant Committee) was an organization that was trying to start with the support of Rigoberta’s father to unite the people and try to stop the evil landowners. The landowners would wait for the native people to make the land available to cultivate then take it over and make them leave. This organization was started to stop that and make sure the people kept their land and the landowners would leave them alone.

2.      Munchu articulates in chapter 16, “What would happen if we rose up against the rich?” Think about that question. The potential power and fear contained within those words.

Why did no one respond? Do you think you would have responded? Why are why not?

No one responded to that question because I think the answer would have been too grim. The ladinos have lots of money, power, and weapons so I think that no one answered because no one wanted to tell them that many of them would probably die. They also didn’t respond because I don’t think they wanted to encourage a rebellion. I would have been honest and responded because I would want the people to know a possible outcome of their revolt. It is very likely that many of them would die because the rich ladinos are so influential and powerful.

3.      Menchu begins chapter 17 with another Popol Vuh reading: “… They began to fulfill the destiny which was concealed in the marrow of their bones…” What role does this quotation play in terms of this chapter?

This quote was perfect for this chapter because it sums up the chapter. This chapter was about how the land owner’s men were going around villages and kidnapping and killing people. Menchu’s village decided to organize and come up with plans to protect themselves for when the men came. They had weapons, traps, and escape routes. Fulfilling their destiny means that they were working so well together that they would be able to protect each other when the soldiers came. They were doing as their ancestors with the conquistadors and were uniting.

4.      Menchu speaks in details about Judith, Moses, and David in chapter 18. Choose one of the three and explain their example.

Moses was mentioned with his story for his strength to be able to move all of his people from a dangerous situation to safety. This is the same for Menchu and her family by leading the village into the mountains so that they are safe from the soldiers.  

I, Rigoberta Menchu (Seis)

1. What is the CUC and what role does it play in Chapter 15?

After Rigoberta comes home from working in the city she is surprised and grieved to find that her father has been sent to prison for crimes he supposedly committed against the family that had come and started to take over their land. While he was in prison he met another man who really was in prison for fighting against the government. Rigoberta's father came to the conclusion that it was not individual families and plantation owners who were the stem of the problem but the system as a whole. The CUC stands for Comite de Unidad Campesina. This is an organization that he started along with other peasants that was focused on fighting the rich and defending the rights that had been for so long denied them.

2. Menchu Articulates in Chapter 16, "what would happen if we rose up against the rich?" Think about that question. the potential power and fear contained within those words. Why did no one respond? do you think you would have responded? Why or why not?

I think that the reason no one would respond to Menchus words is because they were afraid. Hardly anyone ever stood up to the rich and the people that did would get punished severly. It was taboo. You just didn't do it. It would mean more persecution; something they probably didn't think they could take any more of. It was simply a dangerous idea. I am the kind of person that if I feel something is wrong I will say something. I think any righteous cause is worth sacrifice. I think that if I was with Rigoberta during this time and I felt it to be a righteous cause I would have responded in a heartbeat, but this doesn't mean that I wouldn't be terrified.

3. Menchu begins Chapter 17 with another Popol Vuh reading"... They began to fufill the destiny which was concealed in the marrow of their bones..." What does this quotation play in terms of the chapter?

I think the jist of this quotation can be summed up in the words of the title, self-defense in the village. They were fulfilling their destiny by finally standing up for themselves and fighting for the rights that had been for so long denied them. they no longer would let people come into their villages to take advantage of them and a group of peasants started to sent traps on the paths to their villages. This was the starting of letting the government know that they would not take it any longer.

4. Menchu speaks in detail about Judith, Moses, and David in Chapter 18. Choose one of the three and explain their example.

David refers to David in the bible, as in David and Goliath. They use this story as a way to teach the children about defending themselves. Rigoberta explains that they would often use psalms and scriptures to help teach the children

I, Rigoberta Menchu (Cinco)

1. Famous playwright Henrick Ibsen once articulated, "A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm." How does this quotation apply to what Menchu articulates in chapter 12?

From the beginning of the book to where we currently are, Menchu has described in detail of what role in the community each member holds. From a very young age the child begins to work and learn from their parents. Through this learning process they gain the ability of taking care of themselves way before any average person here in America does. It takes us nearly twenty years to do what they can do in less then sixteen.

Menchu explains how communities require everyones participation to achieve what they want. If just one person is slacking, it can affect the entire group. If everyone is doing what they're suppose too, they will prosper and become strong.

2. Rigoberta Menchu starts Chapter 13 by using the quotation, "I'd always see my mother cry...I was afraid of life and asked myself, what will it be like when I'm grown up?" Why would she speak such words? What special meaning do they have to her and other Guatemalans?

I think Menchu was afraid of growing up because she didn't want to go through all of the hardships that she has seen her mother go through. Her mom has had many tragedies happen to her but one that hit her hard was the fact her child died of malnutrition because she couldn't provide to keep him alive.

Rigoberta is brought up to believe nothing will ever get better. That she will just take her mothers place in the future and get married, have kids, build a home, and work. There is nothing to look forward to with this. The cycle seems very harsh and I can understand why Rigoberta is wondering what life will be like when she's older; if she will be in the same mess her parents are in, or if she will do something with her life and someday be able to live happily with little worries.

3. What part of Chapter 14 really stuck out? Why did this part really take grip? Take some time to reflect on what it is that you have learned so far from this book.

I think it's a terrible thing that a mother is willing to pay her maid to become sexually active with her sons. This is wrong in all levels of humanity. Not only is the childs mom supporting this activity, but she forces her maid into prostitution. I dont see how someone could be so messed up in the head to allow something so wrong.

I, Rigoberta Menchu (Seis)

1,) What is CUC and what role does it play in Chapter 15?

In Chapter 15 the CUC stood for Comité de Unidad Campesina.  It was the United Peasant Commitee that Rigoberta Menchu's  father organized. After months working  as a maid in the city, Menchu decides to go home with the little money she earned because  she found out that her father was thrown into jail for protesting agaist the powers of men who were trying to take over their land in their village.

2.) Menchu articulates in Chapter 16, "What would happen if we rose up against the rich?" Think about that question. The potential power and fear contained within those words. Why did no one respond? Do you think you would have responded? Why or why not?

None of the nuns wouldn't answer Rigoberta Menchu's question because it would mean that there would be a lot of blood that would be shedded. Everyone would try to aviod this question because it would mean that many loved ones would die for what was just. Everyone in Menchu's village understood the situation very well. They all wanted to do something about all of what they were going through but they knew that the rich would have a greater advantage than the poor.
3.) Menchu begins Chapter 17 with another Popol Vuh reading. "...They began to fulfill the destiny which was concealed in the marrow of thier bones..." What does this quotation play in terms of this chapter?

In Chapter 17 the beginning of the Civil War began. The quotation reflects on what the natives had done to defend themselves from the government. Soldiers would come to villages and invade everything that the indigenous has. Soldiers would come and kidnap the leaders of villages. They would come and freely take potatoes and corn. It would anger the people because it was going against their culture since it was a custom to do a ritual to ask the gods to pick the crops. The soldiers were very distructive the natives would fight back by setting traps on certain pathe and homes.

4.) Menchu speaks in detail about Judith, Moses, and David in Chapter 18. Choose one of the three and explain their example.

Judith was a famous icon to the natives during the Civil War in Guatemala. She gave courage to the people to keep on fighting. Judith fought very hard for her people and made many attacks against the king they had then. She continuously fought until she killed the kind. She help the kings head high in the air to show everyone her victory. Her story gave the people in Guatemala courage and a strong vision on what they must do to defend themselves.

I, Rigoberta Menchu (Cuatro)

1. Ayn Rand once articulated, "Ask yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness should be waiting for us in our graves- of whether it should be ours here and now and on this earth." After reading Chapter 9, how do you think Menchu would respond to Rand's words?

What Menchu talks about in chapter 9 is things such as the fiestas and rituals her community does prior to harvesting and planting their crops. I think Menchu would agree to the part of the quote where it says "...the dream of heaven and greatness...should be ours here and now on this earth.". I say this because Menchu's community revolves around Mother Earth and everything they work towards is to help the environment while living comfortably.

2. Menchu uses the following quotation from Popol Vuh to start Chapter 10, "Tojil, in his own natural darkness, struck the leather of the sandal with a stone, and from it, at the very moment, came a spark, then a flash, followed by a flame, and the new fire burned in all its splendor." After reading Chapter 10, does this idea from the Popol Vuh take new meaning?

I believe the quote has to do with Father Sun and it's interaction with Mother Earth. Together they provide everything necessary for the people to survive comfortably. Menchu talks about how people shouldn't take these things for granted and should only get whats needed. She also goes over why her people does rituals to give back to the land so it will be happy and continue providing for everyone.

3. In Chapter 11, Menchu speaks about the age at which people get married in Guatemala. What are your thoughts about her writing.

I think the process of how people get married in Guatemala is amazing. The process is so long and well organized that it nearly gurantees the happiness of the couple. Here in America marriage is almost a joke. It happens so quickly that it almost never works out "...till death do us part.".

I, Rigoberta Menchu (Cinco)

1.) Famous playwright Henrick Ibsen once articulated, "A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm." How does this quotation apply to what Menchu articulates in chapter 12?

One of the most interesting things that I have learned about Guatemala from Rigoberta Menchu is that the sense of community is very strong. In this chapter she talks about how everybody works together and everybody has a job to do. In the beginning of the chapter she says that ones relationship with the community is its strongest when one has an obligation to the community. This is like the quote. Everybody has to be willing to do their part in order for a community to thrive. Children in Guatemala start pulling their own weight at a young age ad our taught by their parents that it is their duty.

2.) Rigoberta Menchu starts Chapter 13 by using this quotation, "I'd always see my mother cry...I was afraid of life and asked myself, what will it be like when I'm grown up?" Why would she speak such words? What special meaning do they have to her and other Guatemalans?

Even from the womb mothers in Guatemala prepare their children for a life of hardship and suffering; from the very beginning children are taught that life will be hard and that they must be strong. So, Rigoberta must have been very aware of the realities of life. I think what Rigoberta must have been feeling is something like "If the world is as bad as it is now, It will only be worse when I am older." I think like this sometimes; I have two very young sisters and I often worry about the type of things they will have to deal with when they are older. This is not an easy world to live in, especially when you are constantly having to defend the things you believe in; when honesty, integrity, and virtue are often pushed aside and disregarded. I think this is why Guatemalen mothers prepare their children for suffering from the very start because they know the world will be against their beliefs and values and be all too willing to take advantage of them for it.

3.) What part of Chapter 14 really stuck out? Why did this part really take grip? Take some time to reflect on what it is that you have learned so far from this book.

What sticks out to me the most is the quote that Rigoberta uses at the beginning of this chapter, she says " I was incapable of disobedience. and those employers exploited my obedience. They took advantage of my innocence." This quote makes me sad because I am sure that it applies to many more people then just Rigoberta and many more countries then just Guatemala. It really makes me mad that people have to put themselves higher then others. I have come to my own conclusion throughout my life that all the problems in our world stem from selfishness and pride. After reading this book I have only become more convinced of this.

I, Rigoberta Menchu (Cinco)

1.) Famous playwright Henrick Ibsen once articulated, "A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm." How does this quotation apply to what Menchu articulates in chapter 12?

In a lot of the chapters Menchu talks about the involvement of a community. In Chapter 12 she talks about how it is important that a community must stick together and work as one. Each person in a community plays a vital role to keep everyone going. Henrick Ibsen's word relates a lot to what Menchu articulates in the chapter. Everyone, including children, help the community in running the town/village. Their communities are like a big family that supports one another and goes through everything that they face.


2.) Rigoberta Menchu starts Chapter 13 by using thia quotation, "I'd always see my mother cry...I was afraid of life and asked myself, what will it be like when I'm grown up?" Why would she speak such words? What special meaning do they have to her and other Guatemalans?

They experience the feeling of suffering the moment they are brought into this life. It is the most hardest when you reach the age of being an adult because it requires harder work to provide for the entire family. Throughout Menchu's life she was watched her parents go through many tragedies. She has watched her parents loose loved ones and see how hard her parents must work to support her family. When Rigoberta Menchu would see her mother cry, it made her think about what she will be going through in her future because she knows that she will have to face a life with constant laboring and watching people she loves die due to a harsh life Guatemalans go through. 

3.) What part of Chapter 14 really stuck out? Why did this part really take grip? Take some time to reflect on what it is that you have learned so far from this book.

I couldn't believe how someone like the mistress would pay her maids to give her sons the experience of being sexually active. It's really sick because of how they are forcing the mades into prostitution. Not only is it wrong but it is also making them go against their culture. It was disapointing to read how demanding and wrong the mistress and her family was. It's one thing to make your servants scrub the floors and prepare your meals but to force them into having sex with  your son is plain out disgusting. Chapter 14 discribes the months Menchu spent in the city with a family. It was pointless for her to be in the city because she never made any money. All the money Mechu got was forced by the mistress to by new clothing that wasn't necessary. This whole event made me sick because of what Menchu experienced living in the city.

I, Rigoberta Menchu (Cuatro)

1.) Ayn Rand once articulated, "Ask yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness should be waiting for us in our graves- of whether it should be ours here and now and on this earth." After reading Chapter 9, how do you think Menchu would respond to Rand's words?

After reading everything that Rigoberta Menchu talks about in this book, I think she would say that the dream of heaven and greatness would be waiting for us at our graves. Life in general is a huge struggle, especially for third-world countries like Guatemala. In Guatemala, a person begins to see and experience the hardships for survival at a very young age. In Chapter 9, Menchu talks about certain traditions and fiesta's that revolve around working the land. There whole like is about working and supporting a community.

2.) Menchu uses the following quotation from Popol Vuh to start Chapter 10, "Tojil, in his own natural darkness, struck the leather of the sandal with a stone, and from it, at the very moment, came a spark, then a flash, followed by a flame, and the new fire burned in all its splendor." After reading Chpater 10, does this idea from the Popol Vuh take new meaning?

After reading this quotation twenty times, I still found it difficult to understand what the meaning was of this quotation. In Chapter 10, Menchu talks about the sun and how important it means to her people. My best guess is that the flame in the quotation is refering to the sun. Without the sun there would be nothing. The sun has given this world life. It has provided the natives "..all its splendor."

3.) In Chapter 11, Menchu speaks about the age at which people get married in Guatemala. What are your thoughts about her writing?

It shows true commitment when a couple decides to get married. Going through that long process of getting married shows that both the man and woman are truly ready and commited for the rest of their lives to what they will have to face together in the future. Our traditons in marriage is much different than theirs. They would be aghasted with what they'd see in American marriages. Marriage to them is a very sacred matter that is taken seriously, and I greatly respect the things they believe in.

I, Rigoberta Menchu (cinco)

1.      Famous playwright Henrick Ibsen once articulated, “A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.” How does this quotation apply to what Menchu articulates in chapter12?

Just from the title of this chapter shows that with Menchu’s culture concentrates a lot on community involvement. Everyone in the community plays a vital role in keeping it going. At a young age the children help with the work and help their community. They learn not to mix sexes and develop with other children of the same age. The whole community helps with the upbringing of a child and everyone helps with religious and community matters. They have community meetings to make sure that the area is running smoothly and everyone remains happy. Everyone has to work together and help one another when times get difficult.  

2.      Rigoberta Menchu starts chapter 13 by using this quotation, “I’d always see my mother cry… I was afraid of life and asked myself, what will it be like when I’m grown up?” Why would she speak such words? What special meaning do they have to her and other Guatemalans?

From the time they are little the children are told how much they will suffer in their life. To grow up knowing that your life will never be better than your parents would be a hard idea to come to terms with, and would be a horrible thing to deal with. Her mother would cry for multiple reasons like death, being poor, or other things and there was nothing that could change it or make it better. Life for Rigoberta would always involve working the land and working in the fincas. It is not surprising for anyone in any culture to wonder what their life will be like in the future and be sad about what they expect to happen.  

3.      What part of chapter 14 really stuck out? Why did this part really take grip? Take some time to reflect on what it is that you have learned so far from this book.

The part that surprised me the most in chapter 14 was how horrible the women was and how she said she would pay the one maid more in order to teach her sons how to be sexually active. I found this extremely repulsive and horrible. I have never heard of a MOTHER paying someone to have sex with her sons. This woman was crazy and also very rude. She fed her maids stale beans and tortillas, yet she kept saying how they were eating all the food and didn’t do any work. I got so annoyed at the end when she was finally nice and told Rigoberta how fond she was of her and how she couldn’t leave, however, she got treated worse than the dog.

I, Rigoberta Menchu (quatro)

1.      Ayn Rand once articulated, “Ask yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness should be waiting for us in our graves- or whether it should be ours here and now and on this earth.” After reading chapter 9, how do you think Menchu would respond to Rand’s words?

After reading chapter 9 I think that Menchu would say that the dream would be waiting for us in our graves because her life is constantly revolved around work, she never stops working. It is either at her home or down at the coast on a farm. She told throughout her life that she will work hard and live as her parents do which is a hard life. This chapter was about the different fiestas they have in order to cultivate the land and receive a blessing from the earth, and how they have their traditions for different birthdays. However, their life still revolves around hard work and intensive labor and heartache.   

2.      Menchu uses the following quotation from the Popol Vuh to start chapter 10, “Tojil in his own natural darkness, struck the leather of the sandal with a stone, and from it, at that very moment, came a spark, then a flash, followed by a flame, and the new fire burned in all its splendor.” After reading chapter 10, does this idea from the Popol Vuh take new meaning? What is your interpretation of this?

To be completely honest I am not exactly sure what this quote has to do with this chapter, but I will attempt to make a connection. The native culture depends a lot on the earth. They get everything that they need from the earth and they instill the love of the land in their children. I believe that this quote is a way to show the connection from the earth to the native people to their children. There is also connection between how the native people treat the earth verses the ladinos. There is more respect and a greater appreciation. This chapter also makes references to the sun and the role it plays in the native peoples lives. This spark to flame to fire could be the cycle the sun provided for the native people for their crops and land needs.   

3.      In chapter 11, Menchu speaks about the age at which people get married in Guatemala. What are your thoughts about her writing?

It was amazing to read about the traditions when getting married. They are so different from what I have grown up knowing. The culture is so proper that the girls cannot even talk to the boys in the streets. The process to get married is so long. The men have to ask the parents to see their daughter and they can get rejected several times. When they are finally accepted it takes only months for the girl to except the guy. After this they have a variety of complicated ceremonies that involve lots of food, gifts, and talking. I found it interesting and a little sad that women had to have children. I understand that that is a huge part of their culture, but I personally would hate to be made to have children and not have the choice to refuse. I did like the idea that with their traditions that you are not bound to each other like with American weddings. If the marriage was not working out too well then as long as the girl followed the community’s traditions, then they could come home. There is no piece of paper making them stay together. The traditions are long and the talks seem depressing, but very interesting.   

I, Rigoberta Menchu (Quatro)

1. Ayn Rand once articulated, "Ask yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness should be waiting for us in our graves-or whether it should be ours here and now and on this earth." after reading Chapter 9, how do you think Menchu would respond to Rands words?
I think that Rigoberta Menchu would respond that the dream of heaven and greatness should and can be ours here and now on this earth. I think that she would say that it comes the form of family, community, and the gifts of mother nature. I think she would agree that these are the only things that we really need to be happy. When we start to abuse these things, that is when we start to pull farther and farther away from heaven and its greatness. Every time she and her people go to work the land they first ask its permission and express their love and gratitude. I think this is beautiful and I wish that everyone could remember that the things of the earth are a gift to us and not something to take advantage of. If we could live with this kind of humility our world would be a much better place.

2. Menchu uses the following quotation from Popol Vuh to start chapter 10, "Tojil, in his own natural darkness, struck the leather of the sandal with a stone, and from it, at that very moment, came a spark, then a flash, followed by a flame, and the new fire burned in all its splendor." After reading Chapter 10, does this idea from Popol Vuh take new meaning? What is your interpretation of this?

I did not understand this quote at all when I first read it. Now I think that it is talking about the sun. In this chapter Menchu talks alot about the sun. She describes it as the "heart of the sky". That is exactly what the sun is; The heart of the sky. Ever giving, ever bright. With out the sun we would be left to darkness, which would be nothing.

3. In Chapter 11, Menchu speaks about the age at which people gets married in Guatemala. What are your thoughts about her writing?
The traditions of marriage in Guatemala are extremely different for Menchu's people then what we think of as marriage here in America. It is much more involved and requires much more commitment on the part of everyone involved. I think they would be appalled by the careless attitude that can be associated with modern marriages in today's world. Marriage something very sacred to them. It is taken very seriously. Young couples must follow certain traditions before they are officiallly wed. The girls in Guatemala get married very young which is looked upon with a certain level of disdain here in America but to them it is simply the way of life. My own mom married my dad when she was 17 and they have been happily married for 22 years

I, Rigoberta Menchu (tres)

1.      Describe how the book is evolving. What are you learning? How is it shaping your interpretation of who Guatemala is, what it looks like, how it smells, ect.

This book is evolving in a way that reveals more and more about Rigoberta’s culture and how it changes as she gets older. It talks more about her working life and how it was the same for many families that lived in her town. Rigoberta explains more about how her life was really split into two differ times, when she was at the coast working and when she was in the mountains working. She explained how the ladinos thought that her people were dirty because they did not shower often, but she tells how there wasn’t much need or opportunity to do so. I cannot imagine being close to many people who have not showered for days after working hard in the field. She also talks about her surrounding and how her field of maize is far from the house and how her area is far from the main town. She lives in a very secluded area.     

2.      Menchu uses the following quotation to start chapter 7, “… those who sow maize for profit leave the earth empty of bones of the forefathers that give the maize, and then the earth demands bones, and the softest ones, those of children, pile up on top of her and beneath her black crust, to feed her.” After reading this chapter, what is your interpretation to this quotation?

This chapter was very gloomy in two ways. First is because this happens to many women in Guatemala and two because her little brother died for a very preventable cause. This quote is a reference to how Rigoberta’s baby brother died from malnutrition. Her mother had to work in the fields for multiple hours and the baby would get little to eat because not only was the mother working to make money for the family, but there was also little food to make the child. Leaving the earth empty of the bones of the forefathers is I believe a reference to the fact that not as many men are dying then there are babies. Workings on these fields kill babies because there is simply no money for food.  

3.      Based on your reading of chapter 8, what are your thoughts of culture? How does Rigoberta’s culture align to your own? How is it different?

Life for Rigoberta is 100% different from mine. She wakes up every morning at around 4 to 5 in the morning to start her chores and work for the day. I wake up at 7:30 a.m. to go to school. She has a variety of chores and work to do while I have maybe one or two minor chores. At ten she becomes an adult and has greater responsibility. I will be considered an adult at 18 and I still won’t have as many responsibilities as she has.

I, Rigoberta Menchu. Numero Tres

1. Describe how the book is evolving. What are you learning? How is it shaping your interpretation of who Guatemala is, what is looks like, how it smells, etc.

I think what makes this book so powerful is its simplicity. The way it is written gives me the impression that Rigoberta is actually talking to me just as she would talk to anybody else. As Melissa mentioned in a post before me, It is a much different experience then if I was reading about Guatemala from a text book or a newspaper article. She doesn't doesn't try to use the most fancy language or try to sugar coat things. She simply tells her story. I feel like I am starting to get to know Guatemala better or atleast in the best possible way that I could from a book. I am learning that the indigenous people take deep pride in their culture and the sense of community is very strong. I would imagine that in an average Guatemalan town "everybody knows everybody". I picture bright colors and for some reason lots of animals. Hardworking and humble is how I imagine the people.

2. Menchu uses the following quotation to start Chapter 7, "...those who sow maize for profit leave the earth empty of bones of the forefathers that give the maize, and then the earth demands bones, and the softest ones, those of children, pile up on the top of her and beneath her black crust, to feed her." After reading this chapter, what is your reaction to this quotation?

Maize is sacred to the people of Guatemala because it what gives them life. Without maize they would cease to be . When people start cultivating it for profit they lose sight of what is important. Sowing maize becomes no longer a way to live but a way to earn money and money causes greed and greed causes people to be selfish. Selfish people don't care about others. They don't care if they starve or work themselves to death all they care about is money and their own happiness. This is why the bones of Guatemalan children, such as Rigoberta's brother, started to pile upon the earth.

3. Based on your reading of Chapter 8, what are your thoughts of culture? How does Rigoberta's culture align to your own? How is it different?

Culture is a interesting aspect of my life. I have about ten different nationalities of which I connect somewhat strongly with about three of them. If someone asks me what I am, I say I am Tongan, Samoan, and Native American. They then get a puzzled look on their face because I obviously look like a white girl and I think it is pretty funny to see peoples reactions when I tell them my different nationalities. For me culture is more about values then it is about what people usually think of as culture. It would be impossible for me to practice all of my different cultures and even if I did decide that I wanted to say, immerse myself in my Native American culture and start living that way, I would not be taken seriously. Rigoberta Menchu is very passionate about her culture and keeping it alive. It is something very special to her. Our cultures have little in common but what makes us the same is the value we place on families and living in a way which will make them proud.

I, Rigoberta Menchu (Dos)

1.      After reading the first five chapters, what are your reactions to what you have read? What do you know about Guatemala culture now? What do you WANT to know having finished the first five chapters? What do you EXPECT to find out as you continue reading?

I am very interesting in learning about other cultures and I enjoyed reading about the Indian culture through this book. I was surprised at some of their traditions and saw some similarities to other cultures like their nahual is like the Hawaiian amakua, an animal that is your animal, your spirit in a sense. I learned a lot about the traditions with pregnant women and the birth of a child. I was sad to read that Rigoberta was not able to share all of her traditions because I had secrets (especially interesting ones) but I wish I could learn everything about her culture. However, because she can’t share everything I expect that she will share more basic things and tell us more about what she grew up doing and her family life.

2.      Menchu begins the third chapter by including a quote from Miguel Angel Asturias, which states, “That night he spent howling like a coyote while he slept as a person.’/ ‘To become animal, without ceasing to be a person.’/ ‘Animal and person coexist in them through the will of their progenitors at birth.” Why did she include this quotation? How does it relate to the Guatemalan people? How does it NOT relate to the Guatemalan people?

In the chapter that this quote preludes to, Menchu discusses what a nahual is to the Guatemalan people. This quote is how the Indians feel about their animal. In the book Menchu write how it is believed that if you hurt an animal you also hurt the human it is connected to and vice versa. This quote also explains how humans are connected to animals in multiple ways. Humans always feels disconnected and superior but by having a certain animal you are connected to, you feel closer to nature. This relates to the Indians because they have animals connected to them by the day of the week they were born. However, a coyote was not one of the animals Menchu mentioned but it is an example. This animal/human spirit is present in many cultures including Hawaiian and Native American tribes like the Cherokee.

3.      Menchu speaks in depth about the finca. What is your impression of the finca? What does it remind you of?

The finca is way to oppress the native people and in a way it is a form of slavery. They have the overseers (men who were originally from a native tribe) and then the landowner who overworks the Indians for little money. Then they have cantinas there that get all of the workers money back, so in most cases the landowner gets free labor. The landowners are ladinos (non indigenous people) and they treat the workers horribly. This is just like what white men would do to the African Americans, but less severe because the Indians only work for a month and are not beaten. I still don’t understand why the Indians had to go to the fincas but I am sure I will find out later as I keep reading.

4.      On page 31, Menchu writes, “My father told me: ‘When you’re old enough, you must travel, you must go around the country. You know that you must do what I do” Why would he say this? Does a seemingly simple statement like that possess power? Explain.

Menchu’s father says this I think for two reasons. First of all I think that her father wants her to get an education and learn everything she can about her country and her culture. Second I think that after she explained girls and boys roles in the household, Munchu has to listen to her father and do as he says. I think that a statement like that holds a lot of power because when you get a high request you feel as if you cannot let the person who asked you down. When my family told me that I had to go to college and get a degree and become something I knew that I couldn’t let them down because I know that they have high hopes for me and I think that Menchu will feel the same need to fulfill the request.

I, Rigoberta Menchu (Tres)

1. Describe how the book is evolving. What are you learning? How is it shaping your interpretation of who Guatemala is, what is looks like, how it smells, etc.

The book has started off a little slow but is growing on me. I am becoming very interested in the average Guatemalan lifestyle and how they live day by day. Through reading this book and experiencing everything in a first person perspective is amazing. My picture of Guatemala and the lives the people live has completely changed.

2. Menchu uses the following quotation to start Chapter 7, "...those who sow maize for profit leave the earth empty of bones of the forefathers that give the maize, and then the earth demands bones, and the softest ones, those of children, pile up on the top of her and beneath her black crust, to feed her." After reading this chapter, what is your reaction to this quotation?

I think this is a very strange quote, but after reading it multiple times I think I finally got the meaning out of it. I believe this quote is trying to explain consequences that come with breaking tradition; such as sowing maize for profit. If you take more then you need, karma will come back and take from you; like Rigoberta's baby brother.

3. Based on your reading of Chapter 8, what are your thoughts of culture? How does Rigoberta's culture align to your own? How is it different?

While reading this chapter I realized how important culture is. It defines who you are and brings you closer to others that share similarities to that culture, but it can also show the differences between you and them.

The more I think about it, the more I realize how I dont really have culture. I think this is becoming more and more normal here in the United States. The U.S. is a giant melting pot of different cultural groups and everything is blended into one group.

I, Rigoberta Menchu (Dos)

1. After reading the first five chapters, what is your reaction to what you have read? What do you know about Guatemalan culture now? What do you WANT to know having finished the first five chapters? What do you EXPECT to find out as you continue reading?

I think the culture aspect of the Guatemalan people is amazing. They take it all so seriously and it is a good type of living; loving mother Earth and father Sun. Everything they believe in is about living off the things given to them, such as the sun and soil. They will constantly pray and ask permission to use the resources that they use, unlike the Ladinos who take everything and give nothing back in return.

2. Menchu beings the third chapter by including a quote from Miguel Angel Asturias, which states, "That night he spent howling like a coyote while he slept as a person.' / To become animal, without ceasing to be a person.'/ 'Animal and person coexist in them through the will of their progenitors at birth." Why did she include this quotation? How does it relate to the Guatemalan people? How does it NOT relate to the Guatemala people?

This quote is about a belief the Guatemalan people have. They believe the people were once an animal in their past life and reflect characteristics of that animal over time. This is called their "nahual". The person themselves don't know what their nahual is until they are much older. This is so they don't act rowdy or calm because their nahual says they have too, they are free to act however they like.

3. Menchu speaks in depth about the finca. What is your impression of the finca? What does it remind you of?

The finca reminds me a lot of slavery. Sure, the people aren't technically forced to work there. But the way their lives have changed to revolve around money and material things, they have to in order to survive.

4. On page 31, Menchu writes, "My father told me: 'When you're old enough, you must travel, you must go around the country. You know that you must do what i do."' Why would he say this? Does a seemingly simple statement like that possess power? Explain.

I don't really understand why Rigoberta's father would say this to her. Later on in the book they mention that women who leave the village become contaminated with Ladino ideas and they are looked down upon. I dont get why her father would tell her to leave if their people think of it that way.

I, Rigoberta Menchu (Tres)

1.) Describe how the book is evolving. What are you learning? How is it shaping your interpretation of who Guatemala is, what it looks like, how it smells, etc.

The more I read, the more I feel like I have a better grasp in what the indians in Guatemala face at a daily basis. Before reading this book, I expected to read about the hardships of the indeginous people and the ongoing jobs that must be done for their survival. The way Rigoberta tells her story is something that I couldn't possibly express in words. Reading her book has given me a better perspective than what a newspaper or magazine article could give me.  Now that I have learned how it is like through an actual Guatemalans point of view, I can understand the exact hardships that they go through. I thought I had the right idea of what Guatemala would be like but the book has showed me that there is more to it than what it seems. There is more to Guatemala than just coffee picking and mud-floored shacks. This book has shaped my interpretation to where I'm able to answer what to expect when I'm in Guatemala.  

2.) Menchu uses the following quotation to start Chapter 7, "....those who sow maize for profit leave the earth empty of bones of the forefathers that give the maize, and then the earth demands bones, and the softest ones, those of children, pile up on top of her and beneath her plack crust, to feed her." After reading this chapter, what is your reaction to this question?

Rigoberta Menchu's words are  very meaningful and powerful. The maize was, and still is, a big part for the Guatemalan people. I like the way she used her words to describe how important maize is and what will happen if people choose to make a profit from it. When she said, "..the earth demands bones, and the softest opnes, those of children, pile up on top of her beneath her plack crest..." I thought of how accurate  her words were when she's forshadowing what will happen if they choose to use the maize to make a profit. Children will die because corn is one of the biggest factors of how the indeginous people make a living and it is what shaped their culture.
3.) Based on your reading of Chapter 8, what are your thoughts of culture? How does Rigoberta's culture align to your own? How is it different?

 I can't exactly allign my culture to the Guatemalan culture but the Guatemalan culture has managed to preserve itself much more than other cultures like the Hawaiian culture.The Hawaiian cuture has evolved over time to where the natives  nearly lost it. Guatemalans have a routine in their daily lives and each person in a family plays a vital role. In many cultures today, every person plays a role in the family.  Guatemalans are able to strictly follow their ancient beliefs, which is unlikely when a community is imperialized from a foreign country and forced to change their ways in living. In chapter eight, Rigoberta Menchu talks about the roles of each family member. Our culture in the United States may not relate as much as the Guatemalans but we still play a role in our family.

I, Rigoberta Menchu (numero dos)

1.) After reading the first five chapters, what is your reaction to what you have read? What do you know about Guatemalan culture now? what do you want to know after reading the first five chapters? What do you expect to find out as you continue reading?

After reading the first five chapters of I, Rigoberta Menchu I didn't want to put the book down. The way she uses words is beautiful and she succeeds in painting a vivid picture in my mind of her way of life and experiences. She describes her peoples customs and traditions. They have a deep sense of culture that is very sacred and special to them. It so sacred and special to them that they do not give out any of their secrets to outsiders. This is their way of making sure their culture is preserved. They raise their children in a way that they not only understand what the customs and correct way of doing things are but why. One thing that specifically stuck out to me is that they prepare their children from before birth for a life of hardship and suffering. This to me says a lot about the things they must go through.
After reading the first five chapters I want to learn even more about the culture, specifically the things that they value. I expect that as I continue to read I will learn more about the Civil War and the hardships Rigoberta and he people have had to face.

2.) Menchu begins the third chapter by including a quote from Miguel Angel Asturias, which states, "That night he spent howling like a coyote while he slept as a person.' / "To become an animal, without ceasing to be a person.' / 'Animal and person coexist in them through the will of their progenitors at birth." Why did she include this quotation? How does it relate to the Guatemalan people? How does it NOT relate to the Guatemalan people?
I think that she includes this quotation because it relates to her peoples belief in the nahual. They believe that each person has an animal counter part and it is reflected through their personality.

3.)Menchu speaks in depth about the finca. What is your impression of the fnca? What does it remind you of?

The finca is a terrible place. It makes me sad that any soul would have to endure a place like that. The whole system is unjust and cruel. It reminds me of slavery and the cotton plantations in America before the civil war. The people worked tirelessly for little pay and often ended up in debt to the owners of the finca. Essentially, they were captives to the system and had no way to get out.

4.) On page 31, Menchu writes, "My father told me: "When you're old enough, you must travel, you must go around the country. You know what you must do what I do." Why would he say this? Does a seemingly simple statement like that posses power? Explain.