Based on the passage, what conclusion can you draw about …

English Questions
Short Answer
Step by Step Solution
English Questions

Based on the passage you just read, what conclusion can you draw about the cultural values of the iroquois? “The right-handed twin accused his brother of murdering their mother, and their quarrels continued until it was time to bury their mother. With the help of their grandmother, they made her a grave. From her head grew the three sister plants: corn, beans, and squash. From her heart grew tobacco, which people still use to give thanks in ceremony. She is called ‘our mother’ and the people dance and sing to her to make the plants grow.”

Short Answer

The Iroquois exhibit a duality of values illustrated through the brothers’ conflicting actions: their involvement in violence contrasts with their reverence for nature. This complexity highlights their cultural identity, as they oscillate between nurturing family ties and engaging in discord. Following their mother’s death, they express their good spirit by cultivating vital plants, symbolizing gratitude and their connection to the natural world.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understanding the Iroquois Values

The passage highlights the contrasting cultural values of the Iroquois. On one hand, it reflects their evil spirit, as depicted by the brothers’ actions during their mother’s murder, which showcases a sense of violence and discord. On the other hand, it illustrates their good spirit, evident through their appreciation and love for nature, particularly evident in their cultivation of plants.

Step 2: Contradictions in Behavior

The brothers’ actions reveal a significant contradiction in their character. Despite showing care for their mother prior to her death, they engaged in a quarrel at a crucial moment, emphasizing the conflict between their good and evil sides. This tension between nurturing their family and engaging in negative behavior underpins the complex nature of their cultural identity.

Step 3: Connection to Nature and Rituals

After their mother’s burial, the brothers demonstrated their good qualities by dedicating themselves to tending the land. They cultivated essential plants like:

  • Corn
  • Beans
  • Squash
  • Tobacco
This act of growing and nurturing plants became a form of gratitude, marking their connection to nature and inclusion of these elements in their ceremonial practices.

Related Concepts

Iroquois

A native american people originally from the northeastern united states, known for their complex societal structure and cultural values that balance good and evil spirits.

Evil Spirit

A representation of negative traits and actions, often linked to violence and discord, as demonstrated by the brothers’ behavior in the narrative.

Good Spirit

A representation of positive traits and actions, characterized by love for nature and nurturing behaviors, as shown by the brothers’ cultivation of plants after their mother’s death.

Table Of Contents
  1. Based on the passage you just read, what conclusion can you draw about the cultural values of the iroquois? “The right-handed twin accused his brother of murdering their mother, and their quarrels continued until it was time to bury their mother. With the help of their grandmother, they made her a grave. From her head grew the three sister plants: corn, beans, and squash. From her heart grew tobacco, which people still use to give thanks in ceremony. She is called ‘our mother’ and the people dance and sing to her to make the plants grow.”

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