COLLOQUY

THE QUESTION

RESPONSES

BACKGROUND

Why is Rigoberta Menchú's quasi-autobiography being taught in college classes? The writing style of the book is not exceptional; the composition is not brilliant. Without a basis of truth, this book is no different than thousands of other historical fiction volumes. Why are they not taught as history?

The argument presented by various professors defending their stance is that truth is relative or nonexistent and therefore any book they want to teach is acceptable.

As a college-bound student, this philosophy is very alarming to me. I am not blind and can see truth in many places. I know it exists in mathematics, in physics, in the laws of nature, and in other fields. I find it hard to believe that there is no absolute truth when I see the sun come up or observe any other in a myriad of natural processes. It disturbs me that a professor so deceived by "variations of truth" is instructing students in their thinking.

Aaron Thiessen

Rigoberta's book may be a good story. I don't care if it is taught as literature, but I don't think that it should be taught as truth: Speaking as a student entering college next year, I don't want to be taught that what happened to her is true, when it never happened. If it happened to someone else, she should have written about them. I want a well-rounded education, but I don't want to be taught lies.

Stacy Kuhns

Would Menchú have received the Noble Peace Prize if she had "stuck to the facts"? Did her exaggeration of the truth catch the eye and capture the hearts of many readers around the world, and give her a respectability beyond what she deserved? Truth based on lies is no truth. If they would teach this book as historical fiction it might prove valuable to the students; however, teaching it as the truth undermines the respect students have for their very education. We realize that man makes honest mistakes, but a deliberate lie is just wrong.

As for the argument that Menchú's book is "fictional truth" the problem lies in the basis to the concept itself. Truth has no gray area. It is an absolute. There is no place for a compromise.

Ryan Bittle

-- Joyce Creed, High school teacher (posted 5/20, 5:10 p.m., E.D.T.)

previous response

next response

STEP 1: Your contact information (required)

Your name:

Your title & institution:

Your phone:

Your e-mail address:

STEP 2: Your comments (required)

STEP 3: Submit!

Check this box if you would like this submission to be considered for publication as a letter to the editor in the printed Chronicle.