Topic #2: Both Sundiata and Popol Vuh deal centrally with a heroic quest. Unit 1B’s introduction to the Five Great Themes of World Literature states with regard to the hero: “The surest way to understand what a culture of the past most values is to focus on what it considers heroic, in that a culture recognizes its heroes as embodying its most important ideas, the values that are essential.”
For Sundiata your presentation will probably focus on Sundiatas historical destiny; in Popol Vuh, the Twins quest will have a more mythic quality, but you probably will focus on the meaning for the Mayan culture of the mythic events. One of the passages you should quote (all or in part) and analyze is the following:
Hunahp was sacrificed by Xbalanqu; one by one his arms and his legs were sliced off, his head was cut from his body and carried away; his heart was torn from his breast and thrown onto the grass. All the Lords of Xibalba were fascinated. They looked on in wonder, but really it was only the dance of one man; it was Xbalanqu. “Get up!” he said, and instantly [Hunahp] returned to life . . . “Do the same with us! Sacrifice us!” they said. “Cut us into pieces, one by one!” Hun-Cam and Vucub-Cam said to Hunahp and Xbalanqu. . . . And so it happened that they first sacrificed the one, who was the chief and [Lord of Xibalba], the one called Hun-Cam, king of Xibalba. And when Hun-Cam was dead, they overpowered Vucub-Cam, and they did not bring either of them back to life (Part II, Ch. 13).
Second, write an essay presenting your argument. Include quotations from the texts as well as additional details that illustrate and enhance the points you are making. Use the following as an outline of what to include:
Explain the general topic and relevant themes (e.g. sacred and secular, heroes’ journeys) and any relevant terms for that topic (suggested 1-2 paragraphs). State your thesis – a general statement about your conclusions.
Apply that topic to both Sundiata and to Popul Vuh (suggested 6-8 well-developed paragraphs, plus a concluding paragraph). Give specific examples and quotes from the texts to support your analyses. Use in-text citations as needed. You may want to check the feedback from your previous assignments to make sure you improve upon your earlier efforts.
Your final page should be your Works Cited page, in MLA format.
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