Aaron McLellan--Apocalypto

In the movie “Apocalypto” there was an overwhelming theme that stuck out to me.  It was the theme of faith and destiny.  This film was incredibly graphic, probably more so than any other movie I have ever seen.  The main character Jaguar Paw is a young man with a pregnant wife.  They live in a tribe in Central America harmoniously with the jungle until Mayan Warriors attack the village and kill some and capture others.  Jaguar Paw’s father tells his son, as he is dieing, “Don’t be afraid.”  Jaguar Paw seems to be afraid to step into his destiny as a tribal leader.  He seems to be self-conscious, and thinks he is not good enough.  He does not have faith.  After he is captured and brought to the Mayan city he soon escapes.  But there is a group of Mayan warriors are tracking him so they can kill him.  He is greatly afraid of these men.  After Jaguar Paw had jumped down the waterfall, he looks back at his enemies and this is where he begins to have faith.  He says, “I am Jaguar Paw, son of Flint Sky.  My Father hunted this forest before me.  My name is Jaguar Paw.  I am a hunter.  This is my forest.  And my sons will hunt it with their sons after I am gone.”  At this point Jaguar Paw’s mentality seems to change.  He realizes that this forest in which these Mayans took him from is his and that he will fight for it.  He is no longer afraid.