Question

Discuss the role of gender in Rigoberta Menchu’s text and the way she reflects on gender relations and their impact on her life and society in I, Rigoberta. How does Menchu reflect upon her life as a Mayan woman with respect to culture and community, life choices, work, leadership, and politics?

Answer 1

I, Rogoberta Menchu is a story and narration of a Guatemalan woman who has experienced a civil ware situation till 1996 which caused political tumult in this country.She belongs to the Quiche community. Her main aim was to maintain the unity, integrity and cohesion among the members of Mayan community. It is a rich tradition of bearing children, festivals, cultural heritage of languages, music, dance and preserving their cultural values. She explains that it will be difficult to appreciate European culture and civilization.She explains the killing of her Guatemala father, brother and mother by the Guatemala army. According to her a reconstruction and restructuring of the society in Guatemala is required. She explains that her community and native people are getting killed and has kept the perspective in Human Rights Organization for preserving of community rights. She has taken the decision to fight with the army of Guatemala for preserving the integrity of her community. In Paris in 1982 she gathered money to save the people belonging to her community in Guatemala. It was invaded by Spanish in 1954 and US participated in overthrowing Guatemala President Arbenz.Guerilla movement was started by the native Guatemala people in central america to fight against US army, and rebel groups to fight against the injustice done on her community and for the freedom of her nation.She belonged to a small community of coffee plantation growers but her family members were killed in the rebellion warfare by the army. There were attempts to form democratic government and remove the rule of army with formation of community of Mayan people.