To The American Indian Chapt 1-5

Chapter 1 was a very monotonous read for me...as I'm sure it was for everyone. Lucy gave an incredible amount of detail about many different important aspects of Yurok life. Relating to our discussion today, I think this is an attempt at survivance. She has created a written account about her tribe that will outlast the existence of the Yurok, should their tribe cease to exist. She includes the Yurok names for different people as well as their words for objects, seasons, numbers, etc. This is significant as well (though just adds more confusion for a foreign reader) since, as we've also discussed in class, language is often a very important factor in the preservation of a population/society/culture. This all said, the book seems like less of a story of her life, less like an autobiography and more of a written account of Yurok traditions and daily life with a few personal stories added in to exemplify specific aspects.

Popol Vuh

I actually really enjoyed reading the Popol Vuh-though it was confusing at times. The values and traits important in the Mayan culture are pretty clearly communicated, as well as those traits deemed punishable. Arrogance was particularly emphasized as an undesirable trait. Vacub-Caquix and his sons were even killed because of their outstanding arrogance. It seems as though everyone's punishment for unacceptable behavior is death. I noticed though, that while Hunahpu and Xbalanque's half brothers were punished, they were not killed. They were fooled by the youths, turned into monkeys, and laughed at by their own mother who was never punished for her cruel treatment of the youths. This seems like revenge, an eye for an eye. I wouldn't think a religious text, intended to guide a culture would promote this notion.

Sadie

I chose my title to be Sadie May because it is my dog's name. I love dogs and love Sadie! She is a 13 year old golden retriever mix. We got her when I was in 3rd grade. My sister and I were in our front yard when we saw that our neighbors were playing with a bunch of puppies in their front yard. We, of course, ran over and fell in love with them. Our neighbor's brother was at some secluded beach one day when he saw a man about to drown Sadie and her brothers and sisters! He had a pure bread golden and intended to breed her but the she was impregnated by their neighbor's mutt. After a surprisingly small amount of begging, my parents said we could take home one of the puppies. We decided on the piggy of the pack-first to the food bowl and the last to leave. She didn't walk, she waddled.