Finals:
Questions & Answers
Demeter & Persephone
Q) What was the consequence of Demeter's actions?
The consequence of Demeter's actions was that the plants all died and animals couldn't survive, which lead to the human race suffering as well in the winter.
Q) How did humankind suffer as a result of one individual’s impulses?
Humankind suffered since the animals couldn't thrive and the plants weren't growing, so a lot of people were dying or struggling to live in the harsh winter weather.
Q) What does this myth suggest about the effects of an individual’s actions on the
This myth suggests that the effects of an individual's actions can be catastrophic to their community, and people should do their best to keep calm and think rationally in bad situations.
Popo & Ixtla
The Emperor's decision was better for the individual since he made the decision to have Ixtla not marry to benefit himself, but it messed everything up for the community in the end.
Q) Is it ever important to consider the needs of a community over the needs of an individual? Explain.
Sometimes it's more important to consider the community's needs over an individual's needs since it could change things for a lot of people, but sometimes it's important to take into consideration the needs of an individual as well. The Emperor made a decision that would mostly benefit himself, and it ruined everything for the community, demonstrating how he did the opposite and thought selfishly.
Sun & Moon In A Box
It can be important to consider the community's needs more since there are usually more people involved and if the individual were to betray the community's trust then they'd have to deal with a lot of people that dislike them. For example, when Coyote lost the sun and moon, the Kachinas and Eagle were probably pretty mad at him, as well as everyone else in the area.
Q) Which character bears more blame for losing the sun and moon? Why?
Coyote bears more blame for losing the sun and moon since he opened the box but it's also partially Eagle's fault since he made the decision to let Coyote carry the box.
Q) What does this folk tale imply about the individual’s responsibility to the community?
This folk tale implies that the individual should keep their word because bad things could happen that effect both the individual and the community if they go back on something.