Pre-Columbian Literature

Things to Consider:

** Homework Questions **
Popol Vuh
665:

According to the editors, what is the benefit of "imperfect" gods?
According to the editors, how do the creation stories in Popol Vuh replicate the sequence of Mayan history?

Part One [Prologue, Creation]:
668:

How do Heart of Sky and Plumed Serpent make the world? How does this compare with the African versions previously discussed?

Part Two [The Twins Defeat Seven Macaw]
668:

Part Three [Victory over the Underworld]
670:

672:

Part Four [Origin of Humanity, First Dawn]
673:

Part Five [Prayer for Contentment]
676:

Explain: "Spill thy drops / of green and yellow" (5-6). What is the symbolism here?

Other Discussion Questions:
665:

Does this text present a monotheistic or polytheistic view? Explain.
What is "Jung's collective unconscious" (665)?
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" (665).

666:

667:

What do the plate and bowl symbolize?
What is the Council Book? Why is it that the reader of it "hides his face" (667)?

Part One [Prologue, Creation]:
668:

Part Three [Victory over the Underworld]
670:

Part Four [Origin of Humanity, First Dawn]
675:

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?

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