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.