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.