The World on Turtle's Back

“A large turtle came forward and made proposal to them to endure her lasting weight, which was accepted.”

The turtle provides an answer to the dilemma of where the woman will land, which none of the monsters have been able to solve. This action moves the plot forward: The woman can survive the landing and give birth. The turtle’s self-sacrificing becomes even more notable in retrospect given the self-absorption of Enigonhahetgea.

“While she was in the limits of distress one of the infants in her womb was moved by an evil opinion and he was determined to pass out under the side of the parent’s arm, and the other infant in vain endeavoured to prevent his design.”

There have been signs that the woman is not in control of her body or her future. This quote reveals that one of her twin sons is making decisions not only for himself but for her before even exiting her body. The word choice—i.e., the motion suggested by “moved by an evil opinion”—indicates not only decision-making but that he literally wants to go his own way, even at the expense of others. His brother is of a gentler nature and tries in vain to prevent his twin from making this mean-spirited decision. This foreshadows future conflict between them.

“The good mind was not contented to remain in a dark situation, and he was anxious to create a great light in the dark world; but the bad mind was desirous that the world should remain in a natural state.”

This quote sets up the twin’s differences alongside The Nature of Good and Evil. It also incorporates the symbolism of light and dark. The “good mind,” Enigorio, neither likes nor feels comfortable in the circumstances into which he is born: He seeks not only to create light but to engage in the act of beneficial creation. The “bad mind,” Enigonhahetgea, represents the dark world. He feels living in darkness, or clinging to his meager circumstances, is natural; he does not want to change.

“The good mind discovered his brother’s contrivances, and aided in giving them living souls, (it is said these had the most knowledge of good and evil).”

Enigorio has succeeded in making humans, whereas Enigonhahetgea’s first models of clay turn out to be apes. Enigorio, in a display of his caring nature, helps his brother on the second try, creating a hybrid human that knows both good and evil. This explains the variety of human moral behavior.

“The bad mind offered a challenge to his brother and resolved that who gains the victory should govern the universe.”

In a rare moment of peace, Enigorio asks his brother to accompany him on a game inspection, but before they can even begin their journey, Enigonhahetgea begins to yell. He cannot stand being directed by his brother and challenges his brother to a contest for ultimate control. This increases the pace of the rising action.

“[A]t last the good mind gained the victory by using the horns, as mentioned the instrument of death.”

By virtue of his kind and creative personality, Enigorio does not wish to kill his brother, but after two full days of fighting, he may feel he has no other choice. Ironically, hard and pointy horns sound like something Enigonhahetgea himself would have made.

“[W]hich he succeeded in deceiving his brother and he crushed him in the earth.”

Even though the good mind resorts to deceit in this version of the story, his victory is one of good triumphing over evil. Winning through violence is not the most logical path to peace, but the story suggests there is no middle path or empathy when it comes to Enigonhahetgea, who himself seeks total control.

“[T]he last words uttered from the bad mind were, that he would have equal power over the souls of mankind after death.”

These are the words of a true antagonist grasping at power as he dies, but within the story’s cosmology, he is also correct. The bad mind has made his mark upon the world not only by creating unforgiving landscapes and poisonous reptiles but in a legacy of violence that will live on in humanity. Some of these people will become Enigonhahetgea’s when they die, presumably as punishment.