Pre-Columbian Literature
Things to Consider:
-
View of Gods
-
Versions of Creation (and Relation to Culture)
-
Comparison with Greek, Egyptian, and African Poetry
-
Issues of gender with gods/goddesses
** Homework Questions **
Popol Vuh
603:
-
What is the benefit of "imperfect" gods?
-
How do the creation stories in Popol Vuh replicate the sequence
of Mayan history?
Part One [Prologue, Creation]:
606:
-
How do Heart of Sky and Plumed Serpent make the world? How does
this compare with Egyptian versions (see page 52)?
Part Two [The Twins Defeat Seven Macaw]
606:
-
Who are Hunahpu and Xbalanque? See Ball Court
-
Why do they want to defeat Seven Macaw? How do they?
Part Three [Victory over the Underworld]
608:
-
Present one parallel between this section and Gilgamesh.
-
Present one parallel between this section and the Bible.
610:
-
What is the heart sacrifice?
Part Four [Origin of Humanity, First Dawn]
611:
-
What ingredients are used to make humans? Why?
Part Five [Prayer for Contentment]
614:
-
Explain: "Spill thy drops/ of green and yellow" (5-6). What
is the symbolism here?
Other Discussion Questions:
603:
-
Does this text present a monotheistic or polytheistic view? Explain.
-
What is "Jung's collective unconscious" (603)?
-
Where might similarities between Popol Vuh and the Bible
come from?
-
Explain: "In societies in which the god structure or religious
standard is too high, the people are doomed to destruction in some form
or another" (603).
604:
-
What is the significance of man being made from corn?
605:
-
What do the plate and bowl symbolize?
-
What is the Council Book? Why is it that the reader of it "hides
his face" (605)?
Part One [Prologue, Creation]:
606:
-
Why does Heart of Sky have three names?
Part Three [Victory over the Underworld]
608:
-
What is the difference among Hunahpu, One Hunahpu, and Seven Hunahpu?
Part Four [Origin of Humanity, First Dawn]
613:
-
Why does the creator take back some of the knowledge from the original
humans? How does this compare to Genesis?
-
Why do the first humans shake their burning copal?
Back to Top