I, Rigoberta Menchú Characters

The titular narrator and protagonist of I, Rigoberta Menchú, Rigoberta Menchú Tum is 23 years old when she recounts her life story. As a member of the Maya-Quiché Indigenous group in Guatemala, Rigoberta considers… read analysis of Rigoberta Menchú Tum

Rigoberta’s father was a calm and confident man who was devoted to his family, community, and Catholic faith. Along with Rigoberta’s mother, Vicente was a founder and an elected representative of their family’s… read analysis of Vicente Menchú

Like her husband, Vicente, Rigoberta’s mother was a courageous woman who dedicated her life to the well-being of her family and community. Along with Vicente, Rigoberta’s mother was a founder and an elected… read analysis of Rigoberta’s Mother

Rigoberta’s grandfather, whom Rigoberta believes might still be alive at the time of her recounting, often shared stories with his grandchildren about the history of their Maya-Quiché community. He recalled growing up when slavery… read analysis of Rigoberta’s Grandfather

Candelaria, Rigoberta’s friend and fellow maid in Guatemala City, was outspoken and strong-willed. She introduced Rigoberta to the notion that, instead of enduring their mistress’s condescending, racist comments in silence, they could resist… read analysis of Candelaria

The mistress was the woman for whom Rigoberta and Candelaria worked as servants in Guatemala City. She was a racist and manipulative woman who spent most of her time complaining about her maids’ insufficient work… read analysis of The Landowner’s Wife (The Mistress)

Rigoberta’s little brother Nicolás died at the age of two, when Rigoberta was eight years old. He passed away of malnutrition on the finca (plantation) where Rigoberta and her mother were working. When he… read analysis of Nicolás Menchú Tum

Rigoberta’s eldest brother Felipe, whom she never knew, died of intoxication on the finca after the coffee plants were sprayed with pesticides. This is one of the many deaths on the finca that highlight… read analysis of Felipe Menchú Tum

Like Felipe Menchú, Rigoberta’s friend María died of chemical poisoning on a finca (plantation) after the cotton fields were sprayed with pesticides. María had previously told Rigoberta that she did not want to… read analysis of María

Rigoberta’s friend Petrona Chona, who was married and had two children, was brutally murdered while working on a finca, after refusing to become the landowner’s son Carlos García’s lover. As punishment for… read analysis of Petrona Chona

The landowner’s son Carlos García tried to coerce Petrona Chona, an Indian finca worker, into becoming his lover. After she refused, he sent his bodyguard to kill her in a brutal way, by hacking… read analysis of Carlos García

Carlos García’s bodyguard obeyed his employer’s order to cut Petrona Chona into pieces after the young woman refused to become Carlos’s lover. The bodyguard was sentenced to just 15 days in prison for his… read analysis of Carlos García’s Bodyguard

Sixteenth-century Maya-Quiché warrior Tecún Umán was killed during a battle against Spanish colonizers. Although he is celebrated as a warrior in Guatemalan schools, Rigoberta explains that, to the Indian community, his acts are not a… read analysis of Tecún Umán

This 90-year-old lady, whom Rigoberta meets during her educational activities in the countryside, is remarkable for her bravery and resilience. Although her entire family has been murdered by the army, she resolves to confront soldiers… read analysis of The old lady