Essay Questions

Leadership emerges as the most progressive theme in the “Popol Vuh.” Do you agree?

Conventional civilization is evident throughout the story because characters are textual myth figures who borrow leadership traits from their ancestors. Leadership in “Popol Vuh” manifests itself as the most progressive theme because it is mainly conquest- oriented. Xbalanque and Hunahpu are some of the people who rule based on their mother's footsteps. Their mother was known as Lady Blood who had veracity because her decisions were not based on what excited some people, but morals and just judgment. Her desires majorly influenced how she made decisions and this was critical in ensuring that the rights of others were protected because she was a woman of integrity. Her sons learned good virtues and good leadership tactics from her. She told her sons that as long as they do well, the skies would bless them.

Does this quote “They know all. . . what shall we do with them now? Let their sight reach only to that which is near; let them see only a little of the face of the earth!.. Are they not by nature simple creatures of our making? Must they also be gods" prove that the limiting factor in human beings is kindness?

This is the saying of the creators or goddesses after they watch what the creation (man) is capable of doing. To ensure maximum control of man, the creators decide to reduce the ability of him to see divine powers. According to the creators, if they give man the ability to see beyond his thinking, he can be assertive and indeed commanding. By restricting the ability of man to visualize, the gods decide to allow him to use ingenuity and mind to solve problems. By using their mind, men will strive to achieve more without attempting anything that can compete with the gods. The gods also ensure that for man to be super imaginative and creative, he must be kind. Therefore, it is true that kindness is the primary factor determining his limitedness.

What makes Lady Blood a special character in “Popol Vuh”?

Lady Blood is an extraordinary character in the “Popol Vuh” because of her role as a leader of integrity and mother of the bravest sons who turn out to be wonderful leaders. She believes in the gods and understands that good decisions must be made based on morals and good virtues. Since she has integrity, her desires are to make the society better. She teaches her sons the value of integrity and good leadership. When they became leaders, they followed their mother’s advise and footsteps and they ended up being excellent leaders. The themes of devotion and leadership in the “Popol Vuh” are built around Lady Blood as a character. Therefore, she plays an important role in the development of the story.