For this assignment, you’ll choose one of the topics below to help you make an argument about Sundiata and Popul Vuh. You will then write an essay with a minimum of 1250 words arguing for and supporting your conclusions. This assignment will build your writing and analytical skills.
Tasks:
First, choose one of the following two topics:
Topic #1: One of the Five Great Themes of World Literature is “Sacred & Secular.” As stated in Unit 1 of this course, “We will find in our study of literary masterpieces from the past many intricate negotiations between the divine and the earthly realms.” Focusing on both Sundiata and Popul Vuh, select a moment of conflict in each text where we see divine characters interacting with earthly characters. For each, clearly describe the context within which this interaction takes place. Next, identify and discuss the cultural values we see through their interaction. Finally, discuss the following question: What do we learn about the cultures embraced by these texts when we examine these moments of conflict?
Topic #2: Both Sundiata and Popul Vuh deal centrally with a heroic quest. Unit 1’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.” Discuss what forces Sundiata and the Hero Twins Hunahpu and Xbalanque have to overcome and how they go about doing it. For Sundiata your essay will probably focus on Sundiata’s historical destiny; in Popul 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. Regardless, be sure to discuss the texts in relation to one another, and craft an argument about the similarities and differences in their presentation of their heroic quests.
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. heroes, women) and any relevant terms for that topic (suggested 1-2 paragraphs).
Apply that topic to both Sundiata and to Popul Vuh (suggested 4-6 paragraphs). Give specific examples and quotes from the texts to support your analyses. Use at least one quotation/example from the text(s) per body paragraph. A quotation/example from each text may be more appropriate in paragraphs showing comparisons or contrasts between the texts. Use in-text citations for the quotations and examples.
Compare and contrast the texts; it’s up to you whether you organize your essay around this (i.e., spend half comparing them, then half contrasting them) or talk about each of them individually, then mention similarities and differences.
Your final page should be your Works Cited page, in MLA format. It should include the literary texts.
These are the MLA citations for the articles
Joseph Campbell, “The Hero with a Thousand Faces Popol Vuh, translated by Dennis Tedlock.
Sundiata. Transl. Djibril Tamsir Niane , et al. Sundiata: An epic of old Mali. Longman Pub. Group, 2006.
