Feminism Drawn at The Ancient Maya Story: The Moon Goddess

 Feminism Drawn at The Ancient Maya Story: The Moon Goddess

In this essay, I want to talk about the story of The Moon Goddess. The story comes from ancient Maya. The story tells the life of The Moon Goddess named Ix Chel and her love story. 

From watching the ted ed video "The Moon Goddess", I realized that feminism has existed for a really long time. Even drawn in the legend. There are two things that indicate feminism which are coercion and violence.

First, the one who indicates coercion is Ix Chel's Grandfather. Ix Chel’s Grandfather prevented Ix Chel and Sun God from fleeing away. Ix Chel’s Grandfather asked for help from Storm God to prevent them. Ix Chel's Grandfather did that because he didn't like the fact that Sun God was close with Ix Chel. Ix Chel’s Grandfather wanted to separate them although Ix Chel wanted to be together with Sun God. Ix Chel’s Grandfather showed that he didn’t care and didn’t consider that his action could hurt Ix Chel. So, Ix Chel's Grandfather's behavior indicates coercion. 

Second, the one who indicates violence is Sun God. The violence shown in Sun God action. Sun God mistreated Ix Chel because he was jealous of his brother who visits Ix Chel often. But, Ix Chel showed a resistance toward Sun God.  The resistance formed by Ix Chel accepted an offer by a big bird.  The big bird offered a ride to meet the King of Vultures. Yet, the Ix Chel's resistance toward Sun God is not long-lasting. Sun God met Ix Chel and then pleaded to Ix Chel to come back. Ix Chel agreed because she still loved Sun God. After that, although Ix Chel had come back,  Sun God still mistreated Ix Chel, even striking and scaring Ix Chel's face. For the second time, Ix Chel as a woman showed her resistance by going away from Sun God again. Ix Chel acted like that because Ix Chel lost her wish and hope.

In the end of the story, Ix Chel  didn't come back to Sun God like she once did. She went away into the darkness and vowed to only appear at night. Because of that she befriended the star. Ix Chel’s and the star’s light guided night travelers. Ix Chel’s action showed an invitation to leave from the problem (or in this story symbolized as a darkness). Meanwhile, the problem that has been mentioned in this story is abusive relationships. Ix Chel wanted to become someone that helps others to leave from the darkness (abusive relationship). Quotes from the video said that “Just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of tides, just like hopes springing high, still I’II rise”. The quotes indicate experience that Ix Chel have been through. Like said before, even though Ix Chel became a victim, she still rose by helping others. Besides, the ending showed that abusive relationships should be done and ended. As a victim—Ix Chel—realized that an abusive person was difficult to change.