Kari Jeune
Reading Summaries
I, Rigoberta Menchu
Chapter 4: First Visit to the Finca. Life in the Finca.
Vocabulary:
o Fincas – Rural property, farm or ranch
o Altiplano – Area of high land
o Lorry – Large goods vehicle
o Caporales – Recruiting agents
o Ladinos – Spanish speaking Native
o Caitos
Key Topics:
o Work and payment
o People as property
o Voting Rights
o Language barrier
Summary:
Rigoberta and her family had to take trips down to the fincas in order to work for
money. They traveled on a Lorry, which was completely covered with no views out, and
often days passed with no stops to go to the bathroom. The conditions were filthy and
upon arrival Rigoberta and her family were given orders from their caporal to tend to the
crops.
Often people from the Altiplano area that travel to the fincas are treated as
property, and many are taken advantage of by the caporales. In the Altiplano, people
don’t speak much Spanish, so those in charge often speak in Spanish to further show
their power over the workers. While the family works for money, often the men end up
spending all of it at local cantinas trying to drink their troubles away.
On one trip Rigoberta and her family were forced to vote for the next president.
The leaders spoke in Spanish, which no one else understood really, and so the workers
just marked what they were shown to do. Rigoberta didn’t like voting for someone she
didn’t want, nor did she like taking orders from the caporales, but that is what she had to
do for the sake of her family…they were all in it together.
Chapter 8: Life in the Altiplano. Rigoberta’s 10th Birthday.
Vocabulary:
o Nixtamal – Dried maize kernels, used to make a dough
o Ocote – A piece cut from a pine tree
o Varas
o Tapanco – Second floor storage for corn cobs
o Cortes – apparel worn by women
Key Topics:
o Family life and expectations
o Child to adult journey and expectations as an adult
Summary:
Life in the Altiplano is one of hard work and dedication. Everyday Rigoberta and
her family wake up early and begin their daily routines. The women would prepare
breakfast, typically tortillas, and clean around the house. The men go off to tend to the
fields and work all day until late at night. Homes in the Altiplano are small but provide
good shelter, and the family all shares the space.
On Rigoberta’s tenth birthday, her parents and siblings celebrated her entry into
adulthood. Each family member shared their experiences and gave advice on various
issues. There is a meeting held before the community to also celebrate Rigoberta’s entry
into adulthood. This meeting is important because it recognizes Rigoberta’s knew
responsibilities as an adult and her obligations to the community.
Chapter 12: Life in the Community
Vocabulary:
o Nahual – Mortal’s ability to transform into another form
o Huipil – Form of Maya Textile and tunic or blouse
o Centavo – Common unit of currency
Key Topics:
o Obligations to community
o Catholic religion and cultural beliefs
o Role of men and women
Summary:
Community involvement is very important in Rigoberta’s culture, and as she gets
older her role takes on new levels. She must visit with neighbors and help with daily
chores and harvesting the area crops. As a woman she is expected to stay at home and
cook meals for the working men, fetch water for the community, and gather with other
women for weaving activities. Men have much more freedom, but have equally as many
things they are in charge of doing.
The Catholic religion is prominent in Rigoberta’s culture, but what her people try
to do is blend Catholic beliefs with their own cultural views. Many people don’t really
understand priests that come to visit with the community but they follow in prayer and
Catholic ways for that is what is expected. Rigoberta takes on the role of serving as a
middle man between the priests and community members, talking to her people about
the Catholic religion and sharing stories of the bible.
Chapter 14: A Maid in the Capital
Vocabulary:
o Perraje – A shawl
Key Topics:
o Work versus Slavery
o Poor versus Rich
o Sacrifices for survival
Summary:
For the sake of her family, Rigoberta must travel to the capital and find work for a
wealthy family. She takes with her what little belongings she has, and becomes a
servant for a family. The woman in charge is quite rude and constantly tells Rigoberta
that she is filthy and a disgrace to look at. In fact the woman claims to give her a pay
advance to buy clothes, but really it isn’t enough to buy everything and Rigoberta must
work for months without pay. There is another servant girl, who is much more daring,
and she stands up to the woman in charge. Rigoberta is afraid to do the same for she
knows that her family needs the money.
Once Rigoberta’s father visits her because he needs money, but unfortunately
Rigoberta doesn’t have any. The other servant managed to get the woman in charge to
give him some change, but this meant again that Rigoberta was going to have to work
without pay. As more time passes, the woman becomes fed up with the other servant
and fires her, leaving all the work to Rigoberta. Towards the end of the chapter
Rigoberta has had enough and tells the woman she is leaving, but this decision comes
with the news that her father is in jail…