Week 10: I, Rigoberta Menchú
Hi there! I hope everyone is doing well. This was a really intense read that was unique from so many of the books we've read up until now (although there were definitely many themes that overlapped more broadly with previous readings). Moreover, the style of writing was much easier to follow in my opinion as it mimicked the style of a diary entry vs some complex and confusing vocabulary that we've been used to.
The fact that this was an autobiography and was told from a young woman's point of view really added to my experience of feeling connected as a reader. I was constantly trying to put myself in her shoes and imagine how challenging a life like this would've been. I simply cannot fathom it. I was appalled by not only her own injustices but the injustices her family and community continued to face throughout the book. Whether that be through their lack of food, incomprehensible working conditions, taking care of family members, or the constant threats they would receive from landowners. They simply could not catch a break. This especially highlights the economic inequality that so many of the Indigenous people in Guatemala faced. Even though they worked so hard and tirelessly, they were never compensated for their work fairly leaving them in a position with no room for social change.
Moreover, I find it even more difficult to read this knowing how common this story of Rigoberta and her family is to so many others. As discussed in some of the other books, the themes of death and injustices are all too common in the literature from Latin America during this time (such as 100 years). I think this highlights the resilience and strength of many people when they are faced with adversity. They continue to fight for what they value (such as their land, or culture).
In the ending chapter of the book, the theme of religion becomes quite prevalent for Rigoberta. This theme came when she had gone through such tragic times and the loss of both her parents and brother. Although her parents did practice religiosity as she grew up, it seems as though she's leaning towards it more and using it as a way to empower others moving forward. She chooses to end the book by saying “Nevertheless, I'm still keeping my Indian identity a secret. Im still keeping secrets that I think no one should know. Not even anthropologists, or intellectuals…” (page. 247). My question to you all is what do you think the significance of that ending paragraph is?
I also wonder about the meaning of those final pages, a warning to the readers of this testimony. For me, two things are revealed here: first, that Menchú has a literary conscience, in addition to his revolutionary conscience. And the second, that she knows that non-indigenous readers are far from having obtained that awareness, and that we must be alert so as not to use our categories irreflectively.
ReplyDeleteHi Daisy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts on Rigoberta Menchú. I also was very touched and resonated with those last 5 or so pages in book and wrote about them in my own blog. To me, these words felt like the lines of speech and I read them fast and clearly. I think that the significance of these ending words were to wrap up the elements of her life into inspirational and cohesive thoughts for the reader, but also to establish some sense of privacy after choosing to share her story.
Thank you!
Hi Daisy, I agree regarding your point how even though this book does overlap in some ways with other books we have read thus far, it was an intense read in its own way. I would almost say that the increased level of connection made possible by the storytelling narrative is the driving factor behind this book being such a harrowing piece to consume. To me it seemed that the more she had to endure, the more her perspective went through transformational shifts. The strength Menchú found within herself to persevere through all the injustice is not a skill she should have had to hone.
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