Although Leslie Marmon Silko’s complete works have received exemplary reviews, Ceremony seems to be the most talked about and recognized for its literary achievement. One reason for this large attention is the strange narrative form due to the combination of the Indian “storytelling”, myth, poetry and a plot that takes place in a modern western1 environment. Another reason for the remarkable success of this novel is Silko’s way to show the negative repercussions on Native Americans caused by racism, alcoholism, dislocation, poverty as well as the industrial exploitation of the land.
In this paper I will discuss one of the principal themes presented in Leslie Silko’s Ceremony: the issue of Native American identity. In the first part I will briefly introduce the characters of Tayo and Rocky, two Native Americans who grew up on a reservation for the Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico. After that I will examine the similarities between these two young men who both take part in the Second World War and make horrible experiences. In the main part of this paper I will try to find out the differences between Tayo and Rocky in order to explain their different ways of searching their own identity. Furthermore I will explore the sources of Tayo’s selfdestructive behaviour and his problem of alienation. Therefore I will have to ponder on the following questions: How does the white culture influence these characters? Do both men suffer from the loss of Indian self-esteem? What are the effects of internalized racism and colonization on the health of Tayo? Why is Tayo able to return to the community to lead a stable and productive life? In the final comment there will be a concluding assessment and a summary of the theme.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Development of the Characters Tayo and Rocky in Ceremony
2.1. Tayo
2.2. Rocky
3. The Parallels between Tayo and Rocky
4. Characteristics of Tayo versus Rocky
5. Tayo’s Search for Identity
5.1. The Pueblo World View
5. 2. The Problem of Tayo’s Alienation
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This academic paper examines the central theme of Native American identity in Leslie Marmon Silko’s novel "Ceremony". It explores the protagonist Tayo's struggle with alienation and his search for healing through the re-connection with his tribal heritage and the natural landscape.
- Comparison of the character development of Tayo and Rocky.
- Analysis of the impact of white culture versus traditional Pueblo values.
- Investigation of the psychological effects of alienation and post-traumatic stress.
- The significance of rituals and the "ceremony" in the healing process of war veterans.
- The role of the landscape and community in constructing a stable identity.
Excerpt from the Book
The Problem of Tayo’s Alienation
Certainly, the problem of Tayo’s alienation has complex roots, but if one wants to understand properly Tayo’s problem, one must see it in its historical context. The extinction of whole Indian tribes began with the arrival of the Europeans. But Ceremony implies that no matter how terrible the deaths from disease and other causes associated with the European colonization were, “the most destructive disease the Native Americans suffered as a consequence of European arrival on American shores was despair” (Chavkin 2002: 5).
Indeed, this is also true for Tayo, the protagonist of this novel. In the beginning of Ceremony is an empty space. All he can do is get out of bed, which he only wants to do because the morning light hurts his eyes. He is physically too weak to keep his seat on the blind mule he is trying to ride. From this shaky beginning he goes on to overcome his alienation by shaping his vision and motion to the traditional Laguna lands in all directions from the present-day village of Old Laguna. In fact, Tayo’s illness is the result of separation from the land, his people, and American Indian ceremonies. He must enter into certain rituals to heal his personal illness, the deterioration of the physical landscape, and the disintegration of the community.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the thematic focus on Native American identity and provides a roadmap for analyzing the characters Tayo and Rocky within the context of Silko's novel.
2. The Development of the Characters Tayo and Rocky in Ceremony: This chapter provides biographical backgrounds for Tayo and Rocky, highlighting their disparate upbringings and differing attitudes toward their reservation life and the prospect of military service.
3. The Parallels between Tayo and Rocky: This section identifies the shared social and educational background of the two cousins, emphasizing their roles as outsiders despite their different responses to their environment.
4. Characteristics of Tayo versus Rocky: This chapter contrasts the two men, focusing on Rocky's pursuit of assimilation into white culture and Tayo's internal conflict and growing skepticism toward the rejection of his heritage.
5. Tayo’s Search for Identity: This chapter analyzes the Pueblo world view and investigates the roots of Tayo's alienation, arguing that his healing is dependent on reconnecting with traditional narratives and his community.
6. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the novel's function as a transformative story that bridges the gap between traditional indigenous wisdom and the modern struggle for identity.
Keywords
Ceremony, Leslie Marmon Silko, Native American identity, Tayo, Rocky, Pueblo culture, alienation, healing, post-traumatic stress disorder, assimilation, indigenous rituals, storytelling, landscape, mixed-blood, Laguna Pueblo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the struggle for identity among Native American characters in Leslie Marmon Silko's novel "Ceremony", specifically analyzing the protagonist Tayo's psychological and spiritual journey.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The main themes include cultural alienation, the conflict between indigenous traditions and white assimilation, the importance of storytelling, and the healing role of tribal rituals.
What is the central research question?
The paper seeks to understand how the characters' identities are shaped by their exposure to white culture and how Tayo ultimately finds a way to return to his community and lead a productive life.
Which scientific method is applied?
The paper uses a literary analysis approach, drawing upon existing critical case studies and academic literature regarding Silko’s work and the Pueblo world view.
What is addressed in the main part of the paper?
The main section provides a comparative study of Tayo and Rocky, an exploration of Tayo's specific problems of alienation, and an analysis of how he achieves healing through his interaction with the community and the landscape.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include "Ceremony", "Native American identity", "alienation", "assimilation", "Pueblo culture", and "healing".
How does the author interpret the role of Rocky in the story?
The author presents Rocky as a character who attempts to fully assimilate into the white belief system, rejecting his tribal heritage as "superstition", which ultimately leads to his detachment from his roots.
What significance is attributed to the "ceremony" performed by Betonie?
The author argues that Betonie's ceremony represents a necessary evolution of tradition, showing Tayo that cultural growth and survival require adapting old rituals to the modern, complex realities of life.
- Quote paper
- Ariane Peters (Author), 2003, Living in-between: The Search for Identity in Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/23517
